Estes Valley, CO, Looking for Third Fire Chief in Less Than Three Years

Veteran fire service leader Warren Jones has been appointed as the interim chief of the Estes Valley Fire Protection District following the resignation of Chief Paul Capo.

Source Estes Park Trail-Gazette, Colo.

Oct. 22, 2025

2 min read

Warren Jones has been appointed as the interim chief of the Estes Valley Fire Protection District following the resignation of Chief Paul Capo.

Oct. 21—The Estes Valley Fire Protection District has named Warren Jones as interim chief of the department.

Jones, who served as chief in Northern Colorado's Glacier View Fire District, was the unanimous choice of a task force that had been seated to find an interim to lead the department until a permanent chief can be selected. That decision was made during a special-called meeting Monday afternoon.

The Trail-Gazette could not reach Jones for comment Tuesday morning.

Before Monday's vote, Board President Sandra Smith told those gathered that the task force — Smith, Board Member Ryan Leahy, current Interim Chief Stacey Sutherland, Capt. Rick Spear and Capt. Justin Kearny — "felt that Chief Jones was the best fit given our circumstances ... (and) the makeup of our district and our department."

Smith noted that Jones has more than 40 years of experience in fire service, including "nearly every level of leadership from volunteer firefighter to chief to board member."

"His interview revealed deep operational understanding as well as extensive administrative experience, which we are in need of right now," Smith said during the meeting. "Chief Jones is also very much familiar with combination fire departments such as ours and appreciates the volunteer-driven culture that defines our district."

Earlier this month, the district announced the resignation of Chief Paul Capo, leaving the district to search for a new chief for the third time in 2 1/2 years.

Smith said that Jones has guided other districts "through similar transitions and demonstrates a thoughtful approach from finding the right local fit rather than simply the most impressive resume."

Jones will temporarily relocate to Estes Park, according to Smith.

"I'm looking forward to jumping in with both feet and getting going ... (and) helping you move on to your next level of leadership and the next chapter in the story in the book of the Estes Valley Fire Protection District," Jones told the board via video.