Learning to Live with Wildfire in the Pikes Peak Region
- Event Category: Pikes Peak Heritage Series
Discover the importance of wildfire prevention and mitigation in the Pikes Peak region at this informative event. Featuring expert speakers from the Colorado Springs Fire Department, the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services department, and local leaders, attendees will gain insights into the historical precedence of fire in the region and the laws that have affected its management.
The event will delve into archaeological, anthropological, and Indigenous perspectives on fire, providing a rich understanding of how fire has shaped the landscape and community over time. Attendees will also learn about the lengthening of the fire season, the impact of fires throughout the state, and the challenges posed by conflagrations and evolving building codes. The complexities of insurance coverage for wildfire will be addressed, offering information on insurance impacts, rates, and threats. Participate in discussions and interactive activities designed to empower you with the knowledge, tools, and responsibility to safeguard your property and community.
Meet Our Panel
Kris Cooper, Panelist
Fire Marshal Cooper is a Colorado Springs native and has been a member of the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD), serving his community since 1997. His career spans almost four decades as he began serving in the fire service in 1988. In his time with CSFD, he has worked as a Fire Inspector, Plans Examiner, Unit Supervisor, Deputy Fire Marshal, and Fire Marshal. Prior to working in Colorado Springs, he worked as a Firefighter and Fire Inspector in Summit County, Colorado.
Kris graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program and has received designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence as Fire Marshal. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
Throughout his career, Kris has had a strong dedication to community risk reduction efforts with a goal of enhancing community safety through reasonable application of fire codes and standards. He has been involved with the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) on several curriculum validation committees for fire service training manuals and is currently serving as a technical committee member for National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1030 – Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner Professional Qualifications. .
Anna Cordova, Panelist
Anna Cordova is the manager of Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. She was the first to hold the position of City Archaeologist and now leads the archaeology department for the City in addition to her role as Park Manager. Born and raised in Colorado Springs with indigenous roots, she brings unique perspectives to park management.
In her role as the City’s archaeologist, Cordova focuses on preserving cultural resources and archaeological sites throughout Colorado Springs park properties. She has worked extensively on projects involving cultural preservation and public education about the heritage of people who have called this region home for millennia. Cordova’s leadership combines scientific expertise with cultural sensitivity, ensuring Garden of the Gods’ natural and historical resources are protected for future generations.
Brett Lacey, Panelist
Brett Lacey is an Oklahoma State University alumnus, a registered professional engineer, and a certified safety professional whose dedication to the fire service industry spans over four decades. Along with his academic commitment to fire prevention, Brett’s “boots on the ground” experiences working in firefighter, paramedic, deputy fire marshal, and fire protection engineer positions contribute significantly to his success as Fire Marshal of the Colorado Springs Fire Department; a rank maintained since 1998.
Through Fire Marshal Lacey’s leadership, his division has become a vanguard in community risk reduction. Mandating Class A roofing materials in 2002, hardening structures and vegetation management within hillside areas in 2012, and establishing and expanding a nationally renowned and highly reputable Wildfire Mitigation program from the early 2000s on are examples of being at the forefront of reducing disaster.
Brett retains National Incident Management System (NIMS) competencies and Incident Command System (ICS) certifications for the Incident Commander and the Planning Section Chief positions allowing him to support during severe weather incidents, large scale sporting events plannings, Waldo Canyon’s wildfire/conflagration, and Black Forest’s wildfire, to name a few. Mr. Lacey’s also has experience on the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) executive board, chairing and co-chairing training manual technical committees, co-authoring two IFSTA Fire Protection Publication textbooks, sitting on the Company Officer Seventh Edition training manual’s technical committee, and representing the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
A final professional note: the tradition of firefighting within the Lacey family includes three generations, Brett’s father, Brett, and one of Brett’s children.
John Putnam, Panelist
John has 56 years of experience in the insurance business, including time as a Claims Representative, Systems Procedures Analyst, P&C Agent, and Independent Insurance Agency Owner/Officer. He has served as a licensed property and casualty insurance agent in Colorado for 43 years. Today, John is a semi-retired insurance consultant, broker, and teacher of continued education classes in the field of insurance.
In 2012-2013, John served as the insurance consultant to the Colorado Springs Together Waldo Canyon Wildfire recovery team. In that capacity, he worked with the team managing the overall recovery process and provided individual claim mentoring to approximately 200 residents of the Mountain Shadows neighborhood who either lost their homes or suffered partial losses. More recently, he has counseled approximately 150 survivors of the Black Forest Fire. Because wildfire leads to flood events, he became interested in non-coastal floods and finding new ways to cover their exposures. In 2022-2023, John formed another team to perform a similar service for the survivors of the Marshall Fire that burned over 1000 homes.
In addition to his former job duties, John has served: two terms as the president of Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Colorado; two terms as a national director of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America; two terms on the IIABA Technical Affairs Committee (TAC); one term as a director of Pinnacol Insurance; and one term as the president of the Pikes Peak Chapter of CPCU.
Richard Skorman, Moderator
A dedicated leader and visionary, Richard has been a cornerstone of Colorado Springs for decades. In 1975, after graduating from Colorado College (and later earning an honorary doctorate), he founded Poor Richards/Little Richards and Ricos, which he continues to co-own with his wife, Patricia Seator, since 1990.
Deeply invested in public service, Richard co-directed the landmark 1995 and 1997 Trails Open Space and Parks Sales Tax Initiative. As fundraising chair in 1998, he raised $1.6 million in just three months for the Statton Open Space Land Campaign—the largest local land preservation effort in the region’s history.
Elected to City Council in 1999, and later as Vice Mayor and Council President, Richard has continuously championed his community. His tenure includes roles such as U.S. Senator Ken Salazar’s Regional Director and National Board Member of the Gill Foundation.
Beyond public office, he founded the U.S. Environmental Film Festivals, authored Off-Hollywood Movies, and directed conservation finance efforts statewide. Today, he leads Richards Rubbish Roundup, a nonprofit combating litter and fostering civic pride.
Meet Our Panel
Kris Cooper, Panelist
Fire Marshal Cooper is a Colorado Springs native and has been a member of the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD), serving his community since 1997. His career spans almost four decades as he began serving in the fire service in 1988. In his time with CSFD, he has worked as a Fire Inspector, Plans Examiner, Unit Supervisor, Deputy Fire Marshal, and Fire Marshal. Prior to working in Colorado Springs, he worked as a Firefighter and Fire Inspector in Summit County, Colorado.
Kris graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program and has received designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence as Fire Marshal. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
Throughout his career, Kris has had a strong dedication to community risk reduction efforts with a goal of enhancing community safety through reasonable application of fire codes and standards. He has been involved with the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) on several curriculum validation committees for fire service training manuals and is currently serving as a technical committee member for National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1030 – Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner Professional Qualifications. .
Anna Cordova, Panelist
Anna Cordova is the manager of Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs. She was the first to hold the position of City Archaeologist and now leads the archaeology department for the City in addition to her role as Park Manager. Born and raised in Colorado Springs with indigenous roots, she brings unique perspectives to park management.
In her role as the City’s archaeologist, Cordova focuses on preserving cultural resources and archaeological sites throughout Colorado Springs park properties. She has worked extensively on projects involving cultural preservation and public education about the heritage of people who have called this region home for millennia. Cordova’s leadership combines scientific expertise with cultural sensitivity, ensuring Garden of the Gods’ natural and historical resources are protected for future generations.
Brett Lacey, Panelist
Brett Lacey is an Oklahoma State University alumnus, a registered professional engineer, and a certified safety professional whose dedication to the fire service industry spans over four decades. Along with his academic commitment to fire prevention, Brett’s “boots on the ground” experiences working in firefighter, paramedic, deputy fire marshal, and fire protection engineer positions contribute significantly to his success as Fire Marshal of the Colorado Springs Fire Department; a rank maintained since 1998.
Through Fire Marshal Lacey’s leadership, his division has become a vanguard in community risk reduction. Mandating Class A roofing materials in 2002, hardening structures and vegetation management within hillside areas in 2012, and establishing and expanding a nationally renowned and highly reputable Wildfire Mitigation program from the early 2000s on are examples of being at the forefront of reducing disaster.
Brett retains National Incident Management System (NIMS) competencies and Incident Command System (ICS) certifications for the Incident Commander and the Planning Section Chief positions allowing him to support during severe weather incidents, large scale sporting events plannings, Waldo Canyon’s wildfire/conflagration, and Black Forest’s wildfire, to name a few. Mr. Lacey’s also has experience on the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) executive board, chairing and co-chairing training manual technical committees, co-authoring two IFSTA Fire Protection Publication textbooks, sitting on the Company Officer Seventh Edition training manual’s technical committee, and representing the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
A final professional note: the tradition of firefighting within the Lacey family includes three generations, Brett’s father, Brett, and one of Brett’s children.
John Putnam, Panelist
John has 56 years of experience in the insurance business, including time as a Claims Representative, Systems Procedures Analyst, P&C Agent, and Independent Insurance Agency Owner/Officer. He has served as a licensed property and casualty insurance agent in Colorado for 43 years. Today, John is a semi-retired insurance consultant, broker, and teacher of continued education classes in the field of insurance.
In 2012-2013, John served as the insurance consultant to the Colorado Springs Together Waldo Canyon Wildfire recovery team. In that capacity, he worked with the team managing the overall recovery process and provided individual claim mentoring to approximately 200 residents of the Mountain Shadows neighborhood who either lost their homes or suffered partial losses. More recently, he has counseled approximately 150 survivors of the Black Forest Fire. Because wildfire leads to flood events, he became interested in non-coastal floods and finding new ways to cover their exposures. In 2022-2023, John formed another team to perform a similar service for the survivors of the Marshall Fire that burned over 1000 homes.
In addition to his former job duties, John has served: two terms as the president of Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Colorado; two terms as a national director of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America; two terms on the IIABA Technical Affairs Committee (TAC); one term as a director of Pinnacol Insurance; and one term as the president of the Pikes Peak Chapter of CPCU.
Richard Skorman, Moderator
A dedicated leader and visionary, Richard has been a cornerstone of Colorado Springs for decades. In 1975, after graduating from Colorado College (and later earning an honorary doctorate), he founded Poor Richards/Little Richards and Ricos, which he continues to co-own with his wife, Patricia Seator, since 1990.
Deeply invested in public service, Richard co-directed the landmark 1995 and 1997 Trails Open Space and Parks Sales Tax Initiative. As fundraising chair in 1998, he raised $1.6 million in just three months for the Statton Open Space Land Campaign—the largest local land preservation effort in the region’s history.
Elected to City Council in 1999, and later as Vice Mayor and Council President, Richard has continuously championed his community. His tenure includes roles such as U.S. Senator Ken Salazar’s Regional Director and National Board Member of the Gill Foundation.
Beyond public office, he founded the U.S. Environmental Film Festivals, authored Off-Hollywood Movies, and directed conservation finance efforts statewide. Today, he leads Richards Rubbish Roundup, a nonprofit combating litter and fostering civic pride.