Colorado Fire District Settles Suit With Retirees for $1.2 Million

Posted by: Curt Varone May 28, 2019 0

The West Metro Fire Protection District has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit with 74 of its retired members for $1.2 million. The suit alleged that the district had improperly terminated a retiree health trust fund that firefighters had paid into during their tenure on the department.

The fund was intended to help defray health costs for retirees. It held approximately $1.8 million when it was distributed to current firefighters, prompting the suit by retirees. The settlement provides up to $400k in attorneys fees, with the balance going to the retirees.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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