Skyline Fire Department, founded in 1958 and covered 1 square mile in Arapahoe County (Colorado) including the areas of Holly Hills & Holly Ridge. (FDID # 00530) (Department Wildland Identifier: CO-SKYX)

In the Spring of 1958 the Skyline Fire Department began protecting the citizens of unincorporated Arapahoe County. Skyline’s district consisted of roughly one square mile of single family residences, a church and one school. The department operated with 100% volunteers initially; when Skyline closed it’s doors there was a paid staff of 3 firefighters who worked Monday through Friday 8 to 6. During it’s 50 year tenure Skyline maintained a steady group of volunteer firefighters, many moved on to paid positions with other metro departments.

Skyline operated 2 Engines, 81 & 82. Cunningham Fire Rescue provided ALS transport services as well as an Engine for structural incidents. Glendale & South Metro would also respond through an automatic aid agreement when needed. The department saw two dispatch centers, first starting out with Littleton for many years. For a short time Skyline moved to Douglas County Dispatch, then back to Littleton again where they remained until 2008 when the department was shut down.

Skyline was a rarity in the south Denver area since they still accepted volunteer firefighters. Another rarity was Jake, a well known Dalmatian who helped teach public education and even ran calls. Skyline’s annual incident volume was around 180.

*Skyline Fire Protection District was officially taken over by the Denver Fire Department in August of 2008. Due to its proximity to DFD Stations 22 & 24, the decision to close Station 81 was made.

Station 81

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