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Andersen takes the helm from Balentine, becomes Aspen fire chief in Friday ceremony

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Austin Colbert

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New Fire Chief Jake Andersen smiles during the Aspen Fire Protection District transfer of command ceremony on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at the Aspen fire station.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

Jake Andersen officially took charge of the Aspen Fire Protection District on Friday, stepping in as fire chief for the retiring Rick Balentine in a transfer of command ceremony in front of the Aspen fire station.

Andersen joined Aspen Fire in March 2021 and has served as deputy chief of operations during that time. He has nearly 30 years of experience in various roles across fire and emergency services.

“I know what you must be thinking: ‘How does a guy who strikes out in slow-pitch softball going to have a chance at running a fire department?'” he joked during his speech.

“The thing is, that guy is not going to run the fire department. I’m not. You are. We are. And with a team like this, with a family like this, with a community like this that shows up to support us again and again, we are destined to do awesome things. We stand here on the shoulders of giants.”

The roughly 45-minute ceremony included introductions by Scott Arthur, the division chief of training, and a short speech by John Ward, the AFPD board president, who also officially swore Andersen in as chief.


Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione, Aspen Police Chief Kim Ferber, and Aspen Mayor Rachael Richards were among the many in attendance.

“I will continuously do all that I can to earn your trust and to be an asset toward our continued success,” Andersen told the crowd.

He replaces Balentine, who began his Aspen career as a volunteer firefighter in 1989 before becoming CEO and fire chief in 2014.

New Fire Chief Jake Andersen, left, puts a hand on the shoulder of retiring Fire Chief Rick Balentine during the Aspen Fire Protection District transfer of command ceremony on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at the Aspen fire station.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
With help from his wife, new Fire Chief Jake Andersen receives his new badge during the transfer of command ceremony on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at the Aspen fire station.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

“On his election to fire chief in 2014, Rick joined a historic fraternity of accomplished leaders in our community whose primary mission was to protect and serve,” Ward said. “Not only has he met that standard, but he’s built upon that legacy, leaving Aspen Fire much stronger and more prepared than when he took over.”

Balentine reflected on his 36 years of service by first thanking Mother Nature, who gave the town a quick but strong downpour prior to the ceremony that the exiting chief said should help bring down the wildfire danger.

“Like most of us, being a firefighter has never been just a job. It’s been a calling. Along the way there have been moments that stay with you, moments that define who you become,” he said after getting the jokes out of the way.

“Thank you for your trust, your support, and your partnership, not only in me, but our entire fire department over the past 36 years. Together we built something special.”

acolbert@aspentimes.com

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