Loveland fire board chair Jeff Swanty resigns

TL;DR

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board Chairman Jeff Swanty resigned Friday from both the authority board and Loveland Rural Fire Protection District Board.
After 30 years in public service and involvement since 2009, LFRA budget grew from $8.4 million in 2011 to $27.5 million in 2025 with four new stations.
Resignation comes amid recent chief separation and a recall effort against Swanty, leaving board leadership unclear ahead of April 30 meeting.

The story at a glance

Jeff Swanty, chairman of the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board and member of the Loveland Rural Fire Protection District Board, resigned effective Friday via emailed statement. He cited 30 years in public service as reason to step down, highlighting LFRA growth under his watch. This follows turmoil including the January paid leave and March separation of former Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach, plus a resident-led recall effort against Swanty and others announced last month.

Key points

Swanty joined in 2009, same year Randy Mirowski became Loveland fire chief; LFRA formed in 2012 via city-rural intergovernmental agreement.
Budget tripled: $8.4 million in 2011 to $27.5 million in 2025; rural district contributions rose from $985,000 to $7.9 million, exceeding the 20% split requirement.
Four new fire stations built, three in rural district; Swanty praised collaboration despite COVID and lost food sales tax revenue.
His rural board term ran through May 2029; no mention of successor as chairman or LFRA board replacement.
Recent context: LFRA board placed Sendelbach on leave January, led to joint separation in March; recall targets Swanty, Paul Bukowski, and one other rural board member.
LFRA appointed Mirowski interim chief while searching for permanent replacement; next board meeting April 30 at 1:30 p.m.

Details and context

Swanty's statement focused on achievements like staff expansion and stations, crediting city-rural partnership where city covers 80% of costs but rural gave extra for staffing and careers.

The fire authority governs joint operations; rural district funds more than agreed to bolster service.

Prior controversies: Board faced firefighter no-confidence vote after Sendelbach's leave; termination process cited transparency issues but ended in amicable split with severance.[[1]](https://www.reporterherald.com/2026/04/17/loveland-fire-board-chair-jeff-swanty-resigns/)[[2]](https://www.reporterherald.com/2026/02/24/loveland-fire-chief-termination-reasons)

Recall process started last month by rural resident, linked to board decisions on chief.

Key quotes

“The time has come for me to hang up my spurs and move on. Effective today, I am resigning from both boards.” — Jeff Swanty, in emailed statement.

“Over the years, it has been highly rewarding to witness the growth and development of LFRA.” — Jeff Swanty.

Why it matters

The resignation adds instability to LFRA leadership during chief search and recall push, potentially affecting fire service planning in Loveland area. Rural residents and city taxpayers may see delays in board decisions on budget, staffing, or operations. Watch the April 30 meeting for chairman successor and any recall updates, though outcomes remain uncertain.