New fire district board sworn in at private ceremony Wednesday morning

Story by Patti Brown

The five new board members of the Estes Valley Fire Protection District were sworn in Wednesday morning during a private ceremony that was not announced to the public or to the district’s members.

The Estes Valley Voice learned of the swearing in just after the ceremony and was able to get to the fire station and take a photo of the new board, who had gathered in the conference room for a meeting with Chief Paul Capo and the fire district’s administrator, Erika Goetz.

According to Colorado law, a gathering of more than two members of a public board must be publicly noticed at least 24 hours in advance and an agenda posted for review.

The EVFPD lost a lawsuit in December over violations of the state’s open meetings law.

When asked why he did not give public notice, Capo said he did not believe it was necessary since the newly elected members of the board had not been sworn in when they entered the building.