City Cast Denver
Why Denver Firefighters Are So Mad at Their Chief and The Mayor
Mar 24, 2025
Brian Maass, an investigative reporter at CBS Colorado, dives into the turmoil within the Denver Fire Department. He reveals that a staggering 64% of firefighters lack confidence in their chief, Desmond Fulton, while Mayor Mike Johnston dismisses their concerns. Maass discusses the controversies around comp time mismanagement and the growing dissatisfaction with transparency in leadership. The podcast also highlights the rising tensions over diversity initiatives and the upcoming critical negotiations between the fire union and the city.
28:08
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Quick takeaways
- 64% of Denver firefighters expressed no confidence in Chief Fulton due to perceived leadership failures and accountability issues.
- Mayor Johnston's unwavering support for Chief Fulton despite dissatisfaction from firefighters highlights the complexities of political allegiances in public service.
Deep dives
Comp Time Controversy in Denver's Fire Department
The investigation into Denver's fire department revealed significant misuse of comp time by Chief Desmond Fulton and his command staff. They charged comp time for attending routine events, which many firefighters considered part of their job, essentially inflating their income through questionable practices. This practice not only angered the firefighters but also raised concerns about accountability among leadership, as they juxtaposed the chief's actions against restrictions placed on lower-ranking staff. As a result, firefighters felt compelled to voice their frustrations, equating the use of comp time for personal gain to potential theft from taxpayers.
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