January 8, 2025 (updated April 9, 2026)

All fire agencies must participate in the Heart and Cancer Trust Programs as long as state funding is available. We, at the Colorado Firefighter Heart, Cancer, and Behavioral Health Benefits Trust, are pleased to update you on implementing House Bill 24-1219 to ensure that the heart and cancer statutory benefits are provided equitably to all qualifying firefighters including those who are part-time and volunteers of public agencies. 

As you will recall, HB 24-1219 was signed into law in May 2024. It provides additional state funding for both heart and cancer statutory benefits and increases over five (5) years. This does not include any provision for the Behavioral Health Program since that program is already available to all Colorado fire agencies. 

Our implementation of HB 24-1219 is based on the following: 

• Effective January 1, 2025, Membership into the Heart and Cancer Programs is now mandatory for every Colorado fire agency.  
• Provides benefits primarily for firefighters but allows for the inclusion of others in the direct provision of fire prevention services when a roster designating those individuals is provided. 
• DOLA shall periodically post this fund balance. 
• Departments with volunteers will be given first priority for a limited 90-day period for reimbursement. 
• After this initial period, all agencies can apply for reimbursement until application window closes for the fiscal year. 

For more information on how or when to apply for reimbursement, see DOLA’s step-by-step reimbursement instructions, visit their website, or contact either Alacia Isom at alacia.isom@state.co.us or Chris Ockwig at chris.ockwig@state.co.us. You can also view our Cancer Cardiac Benefit Reimbursement Program FAQ for assistance. 

For more information about our Heart or Cancer Trust programs, please visit cfhtrust.com/heart or cfhtrust.com/cancer. If you have any questions about your eligibility with the Colorado Firefighter Trust, or our program details, visit cfhtrust.com/contact.