The Golden Gate Fire District Board is currently studying the issue of building a new fire station in Crawford Gulch. We have a site that was donated by Charlie Ramstetter, located about 3 miles up Crawford Gulch. This is a rocky site that will require some excavation (and probably some blasting) to build on. Another site, at the junction of Crawford Gulch Road and Belcher Hill Road, has been offerred to the District. This site would require less site preparation. A key question facing the District is what size and type of station should we build? Current District finances require that we limit the costs to between $100 and
$150 thousand dollars. This would probably be adequate for construction of a basic structure on either site. For example, a 2 or 3 bay insulated pole-barn garage could be constructed. If the District elects to build a more elaborate building (with up to 4 bays and including meeting room and office space) more money will need to be raised. I would like to know that the community feeling is on this - any ideas?

By Rick Saltus

Feasibility Study Underway

The Crawford Gulch Fire Station Feasibility Study Is Now Underway

The Golden Gate Fire Protection District recently began a feasibility study on a new fire station for Crawford Gulch. The GGFPD Board of Directors voted unanimously at their July meeting to move ahead with planning and constructing a four-bay satellite fire station at one of two sites on Crawford Gulch Road. A committee headed by board member Tonie Mattox began work on July 28 to determine the tasks needed to have station construction well underway by the spring of 2000. Residents who want to work with the committee, or advise the committee on its activities should contact Tonie at 303-279-5028, or Bill Brown at 303-279-9208.

The committee is considering cost of construction at each site as a factor in final site selection. The members are also considering the time required to resolve land transfers and to obtain all approvals for construction to begin as soon as possible. We are currently obtaining estimates of excavation and other construction costs, and developing a preliminary design for a 40' by 60' structure. The GGFPD also will be seeking formal bids from builders based on the design agreed upon by the committee.

The GGFPD has been accumulating a building fund using its budget surplus plus donations and pledges from residents. The fund will allow the GGFPD to make a down payment and obtain a loan for the full amount of the station. We are committed to taking on reasonable debt to ensure that the residents of Crawford Gulch are adequately provided with fire protection and emergency services that are needed now. The feasibility study will determine the budget for station construction, and we will offer the budget to the community for review.

Thanks to all who have pledged their support or contributed to the fund that will soon make the Crawford Gulch Fire Station a reality. We also have many promises for help of all kinds in constructing the new station. We still need pledges, donations, committee work, and other types of help. For further information, please contact your Board of Directors through Bill Brown, President, at 303-279-9208.


By William M. Brown