Denver Fire Chief Larry Trujillo, who has headed the department for four years, has may retire soon and take an early pension, sources with the department said Wednesday.
Trujillo, 47, has been troubled by an on-the-job back injury that has progressively worsened, department spokesman Lt. Phil Champagne said.
He applied for early pension two weeks ago and started a process that could result in his leaving the department under disability within the next 120 days.
“He’s suffering, and he has a physical condition that is somewhat disabling,” Champagne said. “He has to make a difficult choice and it’s something he’s weighed pretty heavily.”
Trujillo could not be reached for comment late Wednesday, and his attorney has reportedly advised him that it’s premature to speak publicly about it, Champagne said.
The chief informed Mayor John Hickenlooper first and notified divisional leaders of his intentions a week ago, department officials said.
Hickenlooper could not be reached for comment.
The president of the local firefighter’s union, Pat Rhoades, said he had not heard about Trujillo’s application but was expecting to meet with the chief today.
“It’s probably what the meeting is going to be about,” said Rhoades, who declined to comment further.
Trujillo’s doctor advised him to apply for the early pension, a process that requires the chief to see up to three more doctors to get their approval. If all three sign off on his application, he automatically goes into retirement. If two of the three sign off on it, then he can go before the Fire and Police Pension Association board to get its approval, Champagne said.
FFPA chooses independent doctors to do the examinations. And Trujillo has yet to been examined by one, Champagne said.
The department has not prepared for the potential loss of its leader.
“For us the concern is that if the third doctor concurs, then it’s automatic, the chief goes home, he’s disabled,” Champagne said. “We don’t know yet what’s going to transpire as far as transition if he is granted it. But at the same time, just because he has applied for it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to get it.”
Trujillo started as a firefighter with the department 21 years ago. He has served as assistant fire chief and was a spokesman for the fire department for a time, and he has been popular with subordinates for working his way up the ranks and knowing the department inside and out.
After nine years with the department, Trujillo was promoted to lieutenant, where he assisted with the transition of the new Computer Aided Dispatch system, according to the city’s website.
Trujillo attended the University of Northern Colorado and Metro State College, and he is bilingual and certified in hazardous materials, dive and river rescue, conflict resolution, risk management, and maintains a current status as a certified Emergency Medical Technician, the city’s website said.
Staff writer Manny Gonzales can be reached at 303-954-1537 or mgonzales@denverpost.com
