Denver Fire Department Faces No-Confidence Vote Amid Misuse of Compensation Practices
In a significant move, Assistant Chief Patrick Hynes of the Denver Fire Department is rallying support for a no-confidence vote against Chief Desmond Fulton and Deputy Chief Kathleen Vredenburgh. This follows a CBS News Colorado investigation exposing a troubling pattern of misconduct within the department’s leadership regarding compensation practices.
The investigation uncovered that top commanders awarded themselves "comp time" for years, later converting it illegally into cash payments. Mayor Mike Johnston labeled this behavior a “troubling and systemic misuse of flex time.” Hynes, a veteran of the department, expressed outrage over the lack of accountability for this misconduct, stating, "It’s outrageous that any of it was ever tolerated."
The resolution is set to be introduced at a Denver Firefighters Local 858 union meeting, which includes over 1,000 members. Hynes emphasized that the investigation findings have led to a feeling of devaluation among firefighters, noting, "There has been no official closure of the whole mess."
The CBS investigation revealed that Chief Fulton, earning $230,000 annually, improperly billed for attending various non-work events, accruing over 400 hours of comp time from 2021 to 2023. An independent review by former U.S. Attorney Robert Troyer validated these findings, indicating an organizational failing and confirming that none of the command staff faced disciplinary action despite repeated violations of the Denver Revised Municipal Code.
As a result, Hynes and other firefighters are initiating the no-confidence vote, anticipating a broader vote within 30 days should the initial resolution gain approval. The future of Denver’s fire leadership hangs in the balance as firefighters await accountability for the alleged misconduct.
Fulton and Vredenburgh did not respond to requests for comment regarding the no-confidence initiative.