PALMER LAKE, COLORADO

History

The Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 60th anniversary in the summer of 1998.

The department got its start in the mid-1930's. Back then, the department's equipment consisted of a hand-drawn hose cart stored at an automotive garage in the center of town. When a fire started, volunteers passing by the garage would pick up the cart on the way to the fire.

Over the next several years, the department evolved. A modified 1927 Dodge became the department's first fire truck. In 1937, the department officially began, with a new fire truck and a new station built on the corner of Middle Glenway and Valley Crescent, where the station still stands today.

In the early days of Palmer Lake, the fire department was one of the few community organizations in town. As a result, many of the town's traditional celebrations had their beginnings with the fire department. The annual chili supper and Christmas Star lighting ceremony and Yule Log Hunt were all conducted by the town's fire department when it began in the 1930's. The department still oversees those operations today. It has since added the responsibility of conducting the town's July 4 fireworks display every year.

The department is the only true volunteer department still operating in the Tri-Lakes area today. None of its 30 volunteers are paid and the department is governed by the Palmer Lake Town Council. Many of the volunteers work during the day, which prompted the town to contract with the neighboring Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District for daytime coverage during the week. Tri-Lakes Fire also provides ambulance service to Palmer Lake.