Colin Fitzgerald has been named fire chief of the Monument Fire District.

The MFD Board of Directors unanimously selected Fitzgerald and announced their decision on May 29 following a national search. Fitzgerald accepts the mantle of leadership from current Fire Chief Andy Kovacs who will retire at the end of the year.

Fitzgerald described his selection as interesting as he was content serving in his current position and was not seeking employment elsewhere. However, Fitzgerald, who has visited Colorado on numerous occasions, saw his selection as an opportunity for professional and personal enhancement.

“I got a call from the board saying I had been selected for the position. I was shocked because I wasn’t looking for a job,” Fitzgerald said. “However, when the opportunity to move to Colorado presented itself, I figured this would be a good time for a change.”

Fitzgerald is currently the chief for the fire department in Leawood, Kan., a suburb of Kansas City. He will assume his new duties on Aug. 1.

A Leawood native, Fitzgerald brings more than three decades of fire and emergency response services experience to the position. He has served with the LFD since 2012 and as fire chief since 2020.

Fitzgerald said he believes a combination of factors figured in his selection. Prior to joining the LFD, Fitzgerald served with the Lenexa (Kan.) Fire Department from 2001 to 2012, and advanced through positions of increasing responsibility.

An advocate of higher education, Fitzgerald holds an associate degree in emergency medical services, a Bachelor of Science in technology administration from Washburn University and a master’s degree in public administration from Strayer University.

Also, he completed the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer program at the National Emergency Training Center, Emmitsburg, Maryland.

“I have a unique background with mitigation experience, and in working with disasters and accreditations,” Fitzgerald said. “Also, I have fought fires and have treated patients on four continents. So, I have a lot of experience I can share with the district. I think, in the end, it came down to my having a wide breadth of experience.”

Fitzgerald’s family is thrilled about his selection, he said.

“My wife has been very supportive of my selection and relocation. She is a nurse and believes she will find employment in Colorado,” Fitzgerald said. “Also, our children are super excited. We are avid hikers and skiers and have visited Colorado as many as 3-4 times a year. After giving the matter some thought, I figured, ‘Why not?’”

While MFD is thrilled to add Fitzgerald, Kovacs will be missed.

Under Kovac’s leadership, the MFD last March hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Fire Station 3. The station replaces the Woodmoor Drive, facility that no longer meets the district’s operational needs or the community’s growing demands. The new station is located in one of the district’s busiest service areas, improving response times and service delivery.

In a 2025 Facebook post, Kovacs praised the professionalism of the MFD. “One of the things I love most about my job is watching our firefighters and paramedics serve our community through our organization of values, character connection and a commitment to excellence,” he said.

Kovacs will remain on staff through the end of the year to oversee the transition.