History - Eldorado Springs Marshall Fire Protection District

The Eldorado Springs Marshall Fire Protection District began in 1950.  The Eldorado Improvement Association, an organization dedicated to promote community welfare, determined in the late 1940’s a need for fire protection in the Eldorado Springs and Marshall area south of the City of Boulder.  Money was obtained from donations and a benefit dance and in January of 1950 an army surplus truck with an American La France fire pump was purchased along with other firefighting equipment.

The group realized that the cost of providing fire protection could not be supported from perpetual fund raising events and that costs needed to be shared with those who would benefit from the new service. The group circulated a petition requesting the formation of a special tax district.   On August 21st, 1950 the Boulder County District Court read and agreed with the petition and the Eldorado Springs - Marshall Fire Protection District was formed.  Lawrence E Burkey, Fred W Birnbaum, A. Glenn Hedgecock, Jr, and Jack W. Fowler became the first board of directors for the new district.

The district continued to evolve.  Volunteer membership increased, and a need for additional equipment and more space for apparatus was needed.  Ralph Bixler, a local land owner, donated space for a fire station to be built.  In 1961 a fire station was constructed at 4390 Eldorado Springs Drive where the station has housed equipment and provided valuable training space for firefighters since.

The district responded to multiple fire and emergency medical calls and has worked regularly with neighboring fire districts.  By 2006 the Fire districts volunteer ranks began to diminish especially membership from local residents.  This coupled with an increase in administrative duties; the district began negotiations with the Cherryvale Fire Protection District to merge into one.  Today the citizens of Eldorado Springs and Marshall are protected by the combined firefighting strengths of both these districts now called the Rocky Mountain Fire District.