Montezuma County Commissioner Jim Candelaria has been appointed to the Colorado Fire Commission by the executive director.

The commission is part of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

Candelaria is a voting member of the organization representing Western Slope counties.

He joins other fire stakeholders on the commission who represent Colorado fire chiefs, sheriffs, volunteer and professional firefighters and emergency managers. The commission also coordinates with insurance providers, real estate agents, the energy industry and federal partners.

The Colorado Fire Commission was established to enhance public safety through fire management, preparedness, prevention and response activities.

The commission studies and makes recommendations on the state’s fire issues, including funding mechanisms for effective responses to large fires, and assesses the capacity of the state to provide emergency fire support and technical expertise to local communities.

Candelaria was a career firefighter before serving as a county commissioner.

“I’m excited to use my previous experience in the fire service to serve the people of Colorado, especially the people of the Western Slope,” he said in the news release.

Candelaria will serve on the commission through 2027.