Kevin Starks’ passing Jan. 4 is sad for many in the West End. Starks was a 25-year firefighter and held various positions for the Nucla-Naturita Fire Department. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in August of 2022 and many procedures and treatments followed, including at the Mayo Clinic, where officials there called him a “walking miracle,” since he outlived others who’ve only made it a few months with his tricky diagnosis, a metastasised lipto-meningioma cancer that included different complications.
Christina Starks, Kevin’s wife, never left his side. She never spent time away from him, and she’s grateful she was able to work remotely and stay in AirBnB units throughout his treatments.
The medical bills have been strenuous, though a GoFundMe account a few years ago did help.
Montrose Press ran a letter from Christina on Dec. 5, originally written to Governor Jared Polis, asking for Colorado fireman’s benefits to help her family with what they’ve been through.
There was a benefit established in 2007 to help firefighters who were diagnosed with cancer, and in 2017, Governor John Hickenlooper created HB 17-214, which “allows fire departments to join the Colorado Firefighter Benefits Trust’s Cancer Program and move cancer out of workers’ compensation and into an alternative program,” the state’s website says: https://www.cfhtrust.com/cancer.
Online it does say volunteer firefighters are eligible for benefits, if they’ve “given at least ten years of continuous active duty in the fire service; gotten a medical exam, required after the start of employment but prior to a claim; been diagnosed with cancer before ten (10) years after the end of their service with the fire department; and maintained at least 36 hours of training per year.”
In the 1980s and 1990s, Christina remembers the frequent calls for service.
“The girls and I were by his side when a page went off,” she said.
It meant he left family dinners, his kids' activities and other events. Christina and her girls also delivered coffee or lunch for first-responders working a fire.
She said her husband physically retired in 2016, but continued to attend trainings and participated in other activities with Nucla-Naturita.
“A diagnosis of cancer is considered one of the most stressful things a person can experience,” the state website explains. “Our program provides your firefighters with peace of mind by helping cover the myriad expenses of battling cancer.”
Sadly, state representatives told Starks in November of 2022 they’d not get help.
“Unfortunately, Nucla-Naturita Fire Protection District is not a member of the CFHCT Program so the claim cannot be considered,” said Paula Lowder, Claims Consultant for the Colorado Firefighter Heart and Cancer Benefits Trust, in an email.
Later, in May of 2024, Strategic Risk Programs Advisor Lei Shi said in an email, “We received your claim form in mail. In review, it doesn’t appear that Nucla-Naturita Fire Protection District is a member of the Trust … Unfortunately, there is no coverage available when your previous employer is not a member of the Trust. Please advise.”
The last three years have left the Starks family, including Kevin’s mother Phyllis Knickerbocker, weary. Not only are they trying to figure out how to do life without him, they’re trying to pay the medical bills that keep coming.
Kevin will be honored and laid to rest Jan. 31 in Nucla. Christina thanks Ashley Tomlinson and Erin Jones for helping plan the luncheon at the Nucla Fire Hall and the honors Kevin will receive. She remains grateful to the greater department.
The Forum has reached out with questions about the firefighter benefits to Sen. Marc Catlin, Rep. Jeff Hurd, Rep. Larry Don Suckla and retired Sen. Don Coram. Coram did respond and contacted Patrick Rondinelli of the state’s Department of Local Affairs. Coram also connected the Forum with Cleve Simpson’s contact information to discuss the matter with him.
Additionally, the Forum reached out to Fire Chief Bryan Keeton to inquire about whether the Nulca-Naturita Fire Department has since joined and paid into the trust, or if anything can be done to retroactively help the Starks family.
Christina said she wants all families of firefighters to access the benefit in the future. She doesn’t want them to go through the financial stress she has endured.
