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Investigation into Denver Fire Department comp time practices

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Investigation into Denver Fire Department comp time practices


After more than five months, a city-commissioned investigation into the use of comp time by top Denver Fire Department commanders is “nearing its conclusion,” according to a spokesperson for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.  

Denver Fire Department

RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images


The investigation began April 19, according to a city contract, and called for an outside investigator to review and report on the use of flex or comp time by DFD command staff. A CBS News Colorado investigation found Chief Desmond Fulton awarding himself hundreds of hours of comp time in the last three years for everything from attending firefighter funerals and retirement ceremonies to having dinner at fire houses and attending community events.

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A review of Fulton’s work records from 2021, 2022 and 2023 showed he repeatedly racked up comp time or flex time by attending events that others viewed as being part of his job. He could then use that comp time to cover his vacations, and cash in unused vacation days at the end of each year, which he did. Denver’s municipal code appears to explicitly forbid the fire department’s executive staff from accruing comp time. The city code reads, “Division chiefs, deputy chief and the chief of the fire department who work overtime after the end of a regular shift shall not be compensated.”

desmond-fulton.jpg
Denver Fire Chief Desmond Fulton 

Courtesy/Denver Fire Department


Fulton has maintained he did nothing wrong and simply followed longstanding department practices. He said he supported the outside investigation. Fulton declined to be interviewed by CBS News Colorado.

In May, a spokesperson for Denver’s Manager of Safety said, “We anticipate a quick and thorough investigation … it is likely that the investigation will be completed within a few months.”

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But after more than five months, the delay in releasing a report or findings has fueled social media speculation about what might be going on.

Kelly Jacobs, a spokesperson for Denver’s Manager of Safety, said Friday, “The investigation and report are not yet completed.”

She went on to say the “investigation is nearing its conclusion and will share more information as the investigation and report are finalized.”

Jordan Fuja, a spokesperson for Johnston, issued a similar statement expressing a desire “for this investigation to be thorough and complete. … It is my understanding,” said Fuja, “that the investigation and report are not yet complete, though it is nearing its conclusion, and we’ll be sure to share more once it’s finished.”

Neither Fuja nor Jacobs offered a timeline of when the investigation and report might be completed and released.

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Denver, CO

Denver weather: Nearing record highs again

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Denver weather: Nearing record highs again


DENVER (KDVR) – Denver and the Plains will see extra clouds Thursday with isolated storm out east and warm highs along the Front Range.

Weather today: Partly cloudy and warm

Clouds kept temperatures mild this morning and pockets of sunshine through the afternoon help us warm to the middle 80s.

We will be very close to tying a daily record high, but a light northerly breeze should stop us from hitting 87. The Eastern Plains can also see some isolated storms in the afternoon. There are also some Red Flag Warnings in the state, winds will be at 10-20 mph with gusts to 40 mph, avoid any burning or open flames in these areas.

Weather tonight: Lingering clouds

Partly cloudy skies through the day will stick with us tonight. Overnight lows will dip into the low 50s with a lighter wind.

Looking ahead: Cooler weekend with shower chances

Friday rounds out the workweek with partly to mainly sunny skies and comfy highs in the lower 80s. Saturday looks comfy as well with partly cloudy skies, highs in the upper 70s and afternoon storm chances. Sundayis still mild as highs hit the middle 70s, but clouds increase through the day with showers and storms in the evening hours. That rain can linger overnight and into Monday.

Monday has showers through the day and maybe a few flakes in the high country. Highs on Monday will be in the lower 60s with a breeze and cloudy skies. Shower chances linger into Tuesday with below average highs in the lower 60s with cloudy skies. Wednesday has smaller storm chances and a bit more sunshine as seasonal highs make it to the lower 70s.

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Two Denver police vehicles hit by separate drivers during traffic stop

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Two Denver police vehicles hit by separate drivers during traffic stop


DENVER (KDVR) — Two Denver police vehicles were hit by separate drivers during a traffic stop last week, according to a social media post from the Denver Police Department.

On May 7, officers responded to a crash on northbound Interstate 25 near the exit for Alameda Avenue.

The officers were parked with their emergency lights on to direct the traffic away from the scene of the crash. Despite the lights being on, two separate vehicles crashed into the officers’ vehicles.

One driver caused minor damage to a Denver police vehicle and was cited for careless driving. The second driver caused extensive damage to a police vehicle and was cited for careless driving, as well as arrested for allegedly driving under the influence during the crash.

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Officers were in their vehicles during the incident, with one uninjured and the other taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

“Traffic safety is a shared responsibility! If you come upon flashing lights, emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or disabled vehicles while driving, move over at least one lane or slow down if it’s not safe to move over. And don’t drive under the influence,” said the department in the post.



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Denver testing outdoor sirens, emergency alert system this week

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Denver testing outdoor sirens, emergency alert system this week


Denver’s outdoor warning sirens will sound for three minutes on Wednesday morning as officials test the city’s emergency systems.

All 86 outdoor sirens are scheduled to go off at 11 a.m., and at the same time the wireless emergency alert system will send a test text message to all mobile phones in Denver.

People in neighboring counties may also receive the emergency alert message, the Denver Office of Emergency Management said in a statement.

“Speed and clarity are critical in an emergency,” Executive Director Matthew Mueller said in a statement. “This test helps ensure Denver can deliver alerts across multiple platforms, so people know what to do right away.”

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