Colorado Springs Fire Chief Randy Royal is retiring next year on the day he marks 40 years with the department.

The fire department announced Wednesday that Royal will retire March 9, 2027, exactly 40 years after his first day with CSFD.

With nearly five decades in fire and emergency medical services, Royal will have served six years by the time he retires and has served more than two decades in chief officer roles. He was named a battalion chief in 2005.

According to the fire department, he was a paramedic for 28 years and helped deliver 24 babies, including one that was named after him.

He was also involved in several other programs, and helped establish CSFD's Tactical Emergency Medical Services.

Royal has earned numerous awards and distinctions throughout his career, including two Medals of Distinguished Service and the Firefighter of the Year award. In 2023, he was named George Mazzotti Fire Chief of the Year by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. In 2024, he was named International Career Fire Chief of the Year by the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

He said one of his proudest accomplishments is the department's response efforts to the significant events in the Colorado Springs area, including the 1997 blizzard, Cattle West Apartment Fire in 2007, Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012 and Black Forest Fire in 2013.

Its hard to believe this time has come. I have loved my career and the wonderful men and women that I have been able to work with over the years, Royal said in a statement. It has truly been an honor and the most rewarding opportunity to serve our citizens and visitors within the community of Colorado Springs, as well as having a front seat to seeing how the members of the CSFD have been able to influence the fire and medical services across our region and even nationwide through their pursuit of excellence and innovation. I am more than confident that the department is in good hands as they move into the future based on the caliber of our staff and their desire to positively impact our citys public safety each and every day.

Chief Randy Royal has given 40 years of extraordinary service to the Colorado Springs Fire Department, and his impact will be felt for generations. He has led with courage, humility, and a deep commitment to mission first, people always. From advancing emergency medical care to leading through some of our communitys most difficult moments, to embracing innovation that has made our city safer, Randy has dedicated his career to protecting others and preparing CSFD for the future, said Mayor Yemi Mobolade.

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Just before the start of the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche announced they have extended head coach jared Bednar through the 2030-31 season.

The 54-year-old is entering his 11th season as head coach of the Avs, and is the winningest coach in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history with a 445-262-75 record in 782 regular season games.

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In the playoffs, Bedhard has a 60-40-1 record, which is the sixth-best winning percentage of all time.

The Avs have made the postseason in all but one of Bednar's seasons which was his first in 2016-17.

Jared has done an outstanding job over the last decade, and theres no doubt in my mind hes the best coach for this group, said Avalanche President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Joe Sakic. He commands the room and has complete confidence of the players. Were excited to continue to have him in charge, and we believe that his presence maximizes the teams potential while this core group is intact.

Im extremely happy and grateful to continue leading this group, said Bednar. My family and I have loved being a part of this organization from the beginning, and I cant thank the Kroenke family and Joe Sakic enough for their support. I look forward to working hard each day this season and beyond to accomplish our goal of winning another Stanley Cup.