Volunteer Firefighter Pension Board

Regular Meetings

  • Meetings held as needed
  • Fire Station 2
    806 Cooper Avenue
    Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Members

  • Steve Boyd, Chief Operating Officer
    Per State Statute, Staff Contact. Ex Officio Treasurer
  • Mike Alsdorf
     Appointed by City Council: 01/2016, 06/2019 (to fill), 03/2022
    Term expires: 02/2025
  • Tracey Cowling
    Elected by Membership: 01/2022
    Term expires: 02/2025
  • Barbara Embry
    Elected by Membership:  01/2009, 02/2012, 02/2015, 02/2018, 02/2021
    Term expires: 02/2024
  • Leslieann Gallagher
    Appointed by City Council:  01/2011, 02/2014, 02/2017, 02/2020
    Term expires: 02/2023
  • Steve Pawlak, President
    Elected by Membership: 09/1991, 10/2001, 01/2004, 01/2007, 02/2011, 02/2013, 02/2016, 02/2019
    Term expires: 02/2022

Council Liaison

  • Ingrid Wussow, Ex Officio Director

Composition of the Volunteer Firefighter Pension Board

As defined in the Colorado Revised Statutes; Title 31 - Government – Municipal; Powers and Functions of Cities and Towns; Article 30 - Fire - Police – Sanitation; Part 11 - Volunteer Firefighter Pension Act; § 31-30-1104. Board - municipality


  1. In a municipality, the board must consist of the following members: 
    1. The mayor for a term equal to the mayor’s tenure as mayor;
    2. The municipal treasurer or finance officer for a term equal to the treasurer’s or finance officer’s tenure with the municipality;
    3. Two other persons appointed by and for terms determined by the governing body of the municipality; and

      1. Prior to August 6, 2014, three fire department members serving the municipality who are elected by the fire department members of those fire departments for three-year terms. 
      2. Beginning at the next election to elect a board member pursuant to this paragraph (d) after August 6, 2014, three individuals elected from one or more of the following groups to the extent such groups exist at the time of election: Fire department members, retired fire department members, or retired fire department members returned to active service pursuant to section 31-30-1132. The three individuals shall be elected by the fire department members, retired fire department members, and retired fire department members returned to active service of those fire departments and shall serve for three-year terms as such terms exist on August 6, 2014. Nothing in this subparagraph  (II) shall be construed to effect the term of any person serving on the board of a municipal volunteer firefighter pension board pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (d) on August 6, 2014.  
  2. The board shall elect a president and secretary from its members. The municipal treasurer or finance officer shall serve as the ex officio treasurer of the board.

Powers and Duties of the Volunteer Firefighter Pension Board

As defined in the Colorado Revised Statutes; Title 31 - Government – Municipal; Powers and Functions of Cities and Towns; Article 30 - Fire - Police – Sanitation; Part 11 - Volunteer Firefighter Pension Act; § 31-30-1108; Board Powers and Duties


  1. A board created by this part 11 to control a fund:
    1. Shall adopt necessary rules that are not inconsistent with this part 11 for the management and discharge of its duties, for its own government and procedure, and for the preservation and protection of the fund;
    2. Shall hear and decide each application for benefits under this part 11 in accordance with section 24-4-105, C.R.S. Action on an application is final and conclusive; except that, if in the opinion of a board, justice demands reconsideration of the action, the board may reverse the action.
    3. Shall keep and preserve a record of the action and all other matters properly before the board;
    4. May make agreements with the fire and police pension association to administer the plan and manage the funds of the plan for investment in accordance with section 31-31-705;
    5. May consolidate its fund with the fund of another municipality or district and shall administer the consolidated funds as a single fund if in the opinion of the board the total moneys allocated to a fund by a municipality or district are inadequate to sustain a proper fund for retirement or for the other purposes of the fund under this part 11. The boards of these single funds may consolidate the funds under conditions and terms provided in an agreement consistent with this part 11.