Sharla Steinman
Loveland Reporter-Herald, Colo.
LOVELAND, Colo. — Around 60 residents and Loveland Fire Rescue Authority staff gathered in front of Fire Station 1 on Tuesday morning in support of Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach ahead of his meeting with the authority board to discuss their reasons for pursuing termination.
In an interview following his discussion with the board, Sendelbach said he remained hopeful and optimistic that the board would reinstate him.
“I tried to be upfront and take full responsibility for any faults that they perceive I have. I am willing to do that,” Sendelbach said. “I don’t want to jump to any conclusions. I am cautiously optimistic.”
The fire chief was placed on administrative leave Jan. 28 after a regularly scheduled board meeting where Chairman Jeff Swanty and Loveland City Manager Jim Thompson were appointed to a personnel committee. Since then, the entire board has approved a letter of intent to terminate the fire chief, which included its reasons.
The board has not publicly stated why it pursued termination of Loveland’s fire chief and refused to answer questions about what it considers a confidential personnel matter. However, the Loveland Reporter-Herald obtained the board’s termination notice to Sendelbach through an open records request, which stated that the board believes the chief wasn’t transparent and provided misleading information, among other reasons.
Sendelbach emailed the board a 40-page response, addressing each of the board’s reasons and disputed all claims that he intentionally misled the board and tried to create division. The email was obtained by the Reporter-Herald through Global Relay, the city’s system for viewing public emails.
Some residents had posters, and shirts that said “Our chief, our choice,” which were made by Local 3566, the union that represents Loveland’s firefighters.
Even with the rain showers Tuesday morning, dozens of residents and LFRA staff members gathered in front of the downtown fire station, located at 410 East Fifth St., where the meeting between the board and Sendelbach took place.
Some residents had posters, and shirts that said “Our chief, our choice,” which were made by Local 3566, the union that represents Loveland’s firefighters, and distributed by union member Jeremy Bell during the community meetup.
Bell hoped the meeting between Sendelbach and the board would be used to discuss their reasons and find a resolution, he said, adding that it’s the first opportunity the two have had to talk face-to-face since he was placed on leave.
“The chief’s done a great job at providing his side of it,” Bell said. “ … They can talk through their differences and hopefully come to a resolution that works for both sides.”
When Sendelbach arrived at the station, community members cheered. The smiling chief greeted residents and offered many a handshake. LFRA board members weren’t met with the same enthusiasm as they approached the station; Many residents yelled, “Do the right thing.”
Lt. Tyler Austin said it was telling that people continued to sign a petition to reinstate the chief, even after the board’s reasons were made public by the Loveland Reporter-Herald.
“The petition is up over 85% (of firefighters) … Even after all the allegations came out, people were still interested in signing it, which only further strengthens our position,” Austin said.
Austin said funding has been an issue for the department since he started with LFRA in 2019, adding that he’s seen the chief advocate for a funding model that better supports firefighters and the community’s growth over the last few years.
“None of us want to be the highest paid, that’s not the point,” Austin said. “We just don’t want to lose the good people that are here.”
Resident Jane Dedecker said she was worried about the board going into the meeting with their minds made up about his termination.
“We have to keep positive,” Dedecker said.
In an interview after the meeting, Sendelbach said he didn’t expect to see that many community members gathered and welcoming him to the station.
“I don’t expect any of that. I am humbled beyond words again,” he said. ” … I am incredibly grateful that there is that level of support, but I also want to be grateful of that kind of support as we move forward and bring the community together as one true LFRA family.”
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Sendelbach said his conversation with the board was productive and civil. He said he was given the chance to provide clarity in areas the board was looking for, and that they also discussed how they ended up at this point and steps to potentially move forward.
“Nobody came in there with a chip on their shoulder. It was a good conversation and a conversation that I think was much needed, he said.
The board has five days to make a decision, per Sendelbach’s contract. An online special meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday for the board to meet with legal counsel in a closed executive session and for possible action regarding the chief.
© 2026 Loveland Reporter-Herald, Colo.
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