This page offers answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding reimbursement through the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). If you have more concerns, please use the Contact page to reach out to us.
Q: Where in the statute is the Firefighter Heart and Circulatory Malfunction Benefits Fund (FFB) program created?
A: Statutory authority for the FFB Program is located in Section 29-5-301, et seq., of the Colorado Revised Statutes.
Q: Where is the FFB Reimbursement Form available?
A: The Reimbursement Form and instructions are posted on DOLA’s website. Electronic filing of the reimbursement will be submitted directly to DOLA using the DOLA ID credentials provided to each employer.
Q: Who is a qualified “employer” for purposes of the FFB Program?
A: The following entities are eligible to receive reimbursement as “employers” under the FFB Program:
- a municipality that employs one or more firefighters
- a special district that employs one or more firefighters
- a fire authority that employs one or more firefighters
- a county improvement district that employs one or more firefighters.
Q: Who is a qualified “firefighter” for purposes of the FFB Program?
A: To be qualified as a “firefighter,” an individual must:
- be an active employee of an employer
- be a full-time employee of the employer who regularly works at least one thousand six hundred (1,600) hours in any calendar year
- perform duties that are directly involved with the provision of fire protection services
- have at least five (5) years of continuous full-time employment with an employer
Q: What is DOLA’s role in the FFB Program?
A: For as long as there are sufficient moneys in the FFB Fund, DOLA will reimburse employers for the direct costs of obtaining insurance coverage or alternate plans that provide the benefits required by CRS 29-5-302 to qualified firefighters. DOLA staff will review and process on-line employer reimbursement requests. DOLA staff will also administer the FFB Fund and monitor the fund balance.
Q: Will DOLA reimburse an employer if they only provide proof of coverage that does not meet 100% of the requirements of the statute?
A: No; DOLA will only reimburse an employer who provides proof of 100% compliance with the statute.
Q: Will DOLA reimburse an employer if a policy is not in 100% compliance if the employer presents additional proof of gap coverage attained to be in compliance with the statute?
A: Yes; The employer must provide to DOLA proof that they are 100% compliant through additional gap coverage via a self-insured plan, a trust, or additional insurance in order to receive reimbursement.
Q: Where do I complete my online FFB Reimbursement Request?
A: The required documentation is on the DOLA website. Using the online instructions, electronic filing of the reimbursement request will be submitted directly to DOLA using the DOLA ID credentials provided to each employer.
Q: Where do I send my completed FFB Reimbursement Form?
A: Send completed Reimbursement Forms and all supporting documentation to:
Dept. of Local Affairs Firefighters Heart and Circulatory Benefits Fund 1313 Sherman St., Room 521 Denver, CO 80203
Q: Will actual injury claims be submitted to DOLA?
A: No; only the direct costs incurred by qualified employers for obtaining an insurance coverage plan or alternate plan that provides the required benefits to qualified firefighters are eligible for reimbursement by DOLA.
Q: Will DOLA reimburse employers who purchase the benefit for volunteers?
A: No; DOLA will only reimburse qualified employers required to obtain an insurance coverage or alternate plan to provide heart and circulatory malfunction benefits to qualified firefighters.
