Join us in congratulating Vail Fire and Emergency Services Chief Mark Novak who is retiring today after a 42-year career in fire services!
Novak came to Vail 11 years ago from Lake Tahoe with extensive experience in fire prevention and wildfire threat mitigation. In Vail, he built a wildfire resiliency program and led the development of the Fire Free Five program, which encourages defensible space around homes and is mandatory for all new construction.
Among his accomplishments, Novak counts changing the staffing model in the department to better align with risk. He created the Battalion Chief position, increased shift staffing, expanded the fire prevention division and created a Short-Term Rental Inspector position. Today, the department operates three fire stations with teams that provide fire suppression, EMS and specialized rescue.
Novak started his career in 1984 in San Diego County before relocating to Lake Tahoe, where he served as Fire Marshal and Assistant Chief in the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District.
Novak has an unwavering commitment to creating wildfire-resilient communities and said he has considered it a privilege to serve the Vail community. Novak and his team aggressively focused on community education and assistance, including free curbside chipping, community workdays and offering property owners financial assistance to implement Fire Free Five zones.
In recent years, Novak celebrated with his team a push-in ceremony with the arrival of a state-of-the-art fire truck in 2022. In 2024, Novak, working with the U.S. Forest Service, finalized a 3,000-acre fuels reduction project in East Vail.
“Mark has also been a leader nationally, with his active participation in the International Association of Fire Chiefs and in the state on the Colorado Fire Commission,” Vail Town Manager Russell Forrest said. “We look forward to Mark continuing to give us advice as a resident of Vail.”
Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Ocepek has been appointed as the interim Fire Chief while a recruitment process is underway.
Congrats, Chief Novak! We are so appreciative of the profound impact you have had on Vail!
The 24th annual “Ride in Remembrance" will be held Wednesday May 13 at 9:30 a.m. to honor first responders who have died in the line of duty.
• The Eagle County emergency vehicle caravan meets at 9:30 a.m. at Freedom Park in Edwards.
• Civilians are invited to join the caravan with their motorcycles or classic cars.
• Procession ends at Donovan Park in Vail with a ceremony at 11 a.m.
• Cookout lunch to follow, all are welcome.
Locals! Take advantage of the Early Bird 25% off discount on Shift Bike available through May 11 at shift-bike.com
With hubs in Vail, Avon, EagleVail and Edwards the app-based e-bike share program will run through Oct. 31 and is a partnership between the Town of Vail, Town of Avon, EagleVail Metro District, Edwards Metro District, and Eagle County Government.
The system size has 165 e-bikes and 35 hub stations from East Vail to the west side of Edwards. In addition, two cargo e-bikes will be stationed at the West Vail Mail starting in June.
Shift Bike is designed to provide short, one-way trips for commuting, running errands or connecting to transit. New this year, riders can now log miles for these types of trips in the Sole Power Plus app as well. Find details at . For longer excursions, trail riding, or recreation, consider renting a bike or e-bike from a local bike shop.
Kevin Foley with a preview of tomorrow’s Vail Town Council meetings. Full agenda and materials at vail.gov/agendas.
Public input is at 6 p.m. for any item not listed on the agenda. Be there or email input to [email protected].
Just want the highlights? Sign up for a summary after each town council meeting at vail.gov/vailmail
The Town of Vail is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Vail Local Housing Authority (VLHA). The term of the appointment is June 1 through May 31, 2031. The five-member board holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. and special meetings as needed.
Applications are available at the link in our bio and are due to the town no later than 5 p.m. on May 13.
Applicants must be full-time, year-round residents of the Town of Vail or full-time resident of Eagle County employed by a business holding a Town of Vail business license. Authority members must have a proven ability to be an effective advocate for a full range of housing opportunities and be able to promote a vision for resident-occupied, deed-restricted homes.
Members act as the Board of Directors for the business of the VLHA and serve in an advisory role to the Vail Town Council on housing-related matters. The duties may include budget approval, policy recommendations, advocacy, strategic and long-term planning, and making recommendations for development and acquisition parameters. Technical experience in one of the following areas is desirable: financing large projects, construction management, planning, design, residential real estate development, grant acquisitions and legal.
The appointment is a volunteer position; members are eligible for an Employee Plus parking pass. Applicants will be interviewed by the Vail Town Council during the afternoon meeting on Tuesday, May 19, with an appointment to follow at the evening meeting.
For more information about the VLHA, contact Jason Dietz, housing director, at 970-479-2145 or at [email protected].
Town of Vail residents, property owners and those who work in Vail: see you next Friday, May 8 for the 2026 Hard to Recycle event!
Prior to the event, we encourage residents to get outside and clean up their neighborhoods - residents can dispose of collected trash and large items in dumpsters provided by the town from April 27 through May 11 or until they are full, whichever comes first. The dumpsters are located at the North Trail Trailhead parking lot in West Vail at the west end of the North Frontage Road, the Ford Park parking lot, and the East Vail interchange parking area at I-70 exit 180.
Residents are asked not to dispose of electronics, household hazardous waste such as paint or chemicals, or commercial landscaping materials in the dumpsters. Instead, plan to drop items at the Town of Vail’s “Hard to Recycle” event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 8 at the Ford Park parking lot. This will be the only Hard to Recycle event in 2026.
Visit /hard-to-recycle-events for a list of accepted items and event details 🔗 in bio
Barry Davis with a preview of tomorrow’s Vail Town Council meetings (filmed Friday, April 17). Full agenda and materials at vail.gov/agendas.
Public input is at 6 p.m. for any item not listed on the agenda. Be there or email input to [email protected]
Incredible to watch the installation of the 5,500 lb stone fire feature for the Gore Creek Promenade Renewal! The piece is titled “Resilient” and was carved by William Seal of Ritmo Studios.
Video of the snow at Bighorn Park yesterday, we’re back to sun today with more snow in the forecast tomorrow - hello spring in the Rockies!
Please note that seasonal trail closures are now in effect through June 20 on North Trail, Son of Middle Creek and Buffehr Creek.
Make your landscape beautiful AND defensible, and get some financial help from Vail to do it!
Vail Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) is offering financial support for property owners who follow 'Fire Free Five' standards by creating a five-foot non-combustible zone around their structure. Removing all flammable vegetation and debris in the zone and replacing it with hardscaping is a critical step property owners can take to protect their structure from a wildfire.
Vail property owners are eligible for 75% reimbursement of actual costs of materials and labor. Funding is available first-come, first-served. Get details of the program, see a landscaping guide, and more at vail.gov/firefreefive (link in bio).
Happy closing day! We will move to free spring parking in all town-owned structures and lots for those entering on Wednesday, April 8 for Vail Mountain’s closing day. Parkers will still need to pull a ticket or scan their pass; please review all posted signs. Note that paid event parking will be in place at the Ford Park and Soccer lots on April 10 and 11.
Our buses will stay on their winter schedule through Sunday then shift to the spring bus schedule on Monday, April 13.
