Committee to Improve Foothills Fire Protection District

Board of Directors Election — May 2, 2023

The upcoming Board of Directors election for the Foothills Fire Protection District represents an opportunity for rejuvenation and progress. A common vision and purpose unites the candidates you will meet here, with the goal of improving communication and relations between the Board, the fire department, and the community it serves to provide the best response service possible with our District's resources. Read about our vision, the candidates, and voting information below.

Our Vision

A Board of Directors can only function well in its mission when it has the trust, respect, and support of the community it serves. For the Foothills Fire Protection District, that community includes both the department volunteers and the district residents. Many residents, including our committee, believe it is time for a change. Critical decisions about the direction of our fire department are on the horizon. Our District desperately needs a Board of Directors who will support our FFPD to ensure decisions are well informed and executed with proper oversight. Our preferred candidates are the right people to bring about this necessary change. Each of these five candidates supports our fire fighters and is committed to serving the District. Together, they have a shared vision for the FFPD. They will actively engage the community and will always ask: “How does this advance the mission?” Join us to elect new leadership and support our vision for a new FFPD Board of Directors.

fire station

Commitment

Good fire departments start from the ground up. We will support efforts to grow the volunteer membership and provide them with the necessary training, equipment, and facilities to do their important job safely and effectively.

piggy bank

Fiscal Responsibility

We will be good stewards of community funds to maintain a balanced operating budget. To avoid new mill levies for capital improvements, we will work tirelessly to pursue grants and other funding opportunities.

circle of hands

Partnerships & Community

Through our deep relationships with the community, we will encourage collaborative efforts to maximize the department's resources, incorporate local experience and expertise, and strengthen the sense of common purpose across our District.

house and tree

Preparedness & Response

Everyone in the community wants our department to have the means to fight wildfires and keep response times low throughout the District. We will ensure our fire department has everything they need to fulfill this mission.

Meet Your Candidates

Each of our preferred candidates is deeply committed to the FFPD and will bring something unique to the Board's mission. From industry and public leaders, to former firefighters, to a professional fundraiser, together these candidates will fight for our volunteers and ensure their ability to protect the community. Each of these candidates is committed to providing thoughtful and honest analysis focused on both the big picture and the details, and they are ready to work together from the start. On this year's ballot, candidates are running for either a 2-year term or a 4-year term to replace outgoing Board members.

Stepahanie Graf

Stephanie GRAF

4-year candidate
Stephanie Graf is a Vice President of a Fortune 1000 technology company, which is a leading provider of software to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industries. She has over 30 years' experience managing teams of people. Her strength is creating an environment where team members collaborate effectively. Stephanie is a 27-year resident of the Lookout Mountain community with her husband, two teenage children, and two dogs.

Dan Hartman

Dan HARTMAN

4-year candidate
Dan has been in Public Works for 43 years and was Public Works Director for the City of Golden for 34 years. He has designed and built over 50 significant public infrastructure projects, including 4 fire stations. The American Public Works Association recognized Dan as one of the top 10 Leaders in Public Works. Dan was trained in wildfire mitigation and served as fire fighter on a US Forest Service fire fighting crew. He has lived with his family on Lookout Mountain for 38 years.

Dave Stajcar

Dave STAJCAR

4-year candidate
Dave is a 40+ year resident and has been in the fire service for 15 years. He has experience in all aspects of the volunteer/paid fire service, including first as a volunteer firefighter/officer. Dave was then the paid operations captain for FF&R, responsible for maintaining and updating the department's facilities and apparatus while being able to run calls with his awesome firefighter wife, Pati. He comes with a pragmatic approach to addressing the wants and needs of our taxpayers and valuable firefighters.

Stephanie Troyer

Stephanie TROYER

2-year candidate
Stephanie Troyer has extensive experience in the non-profit sector as a fundraiser where her work has focused on securing six-figure gifts from both private donors and corporations. Additionally, she has worked at a Big Four accounting firm and has assisted organizations in crafting multi-year strategic plans and financial strategies to meet both short-term and long-term goals and objectives. Stephanie lives on Lookout Mountain with her husband, two children, and mischievous golden retriever, Cash.

Click here to learn about independent candidate LEE CHAISSON who is also running for a 2-year term.

Voting Information

This sample ballot for the FFPD Board of Directors election shows the candidates in the order in which they will appear. Our committee's preferred candidates are marked with an 'X'.

sample ballot

Ballots will be mailed to the address on file from April 10-17. Completed ballots must be returned not later than 7 p.m. on May 2. Find more information at www.GoVoteColorado.gov regarding voter registration and mail ballot tracking.

Thank you!

Paid for by the Committee to Improve Foothills Fire Protection District