Court of Appeals case on Firefighter coverage

On May 8th, 2014 the Colorado Court of Appeals issued a decision involving a firefighter

case. The claimant developed leukemia with an onset in November 2009. There is a statutory presumption that certain cancers arising within 5 years of firefighting service are covered or compensable. The city (Denver) defended by asserting it was not within 5 years of service by alleging they hired him in February 2005. The court affirmed the decision in favor of the firefighter by indicating that there was sufficient time as a firefighter. He had over 5 years of service (adding time as a volunteer and probationary fireman). However the city asserted it should only count the actual time firefighting. The court reasoned that few people would qualify for the coverage under that view. A firefighters entire time of service should be counted. Additionally Denver tried to assert it had a right to define "firefighter" as it sees fit. The court reasoned that firefighter coverage under the statute is a matter of statewide concern and not subject to any local city definition. Please refer to the actual case itself which you can read here.