HOTCHKISS, Colo. (KREX) — The Hotchkiss Fire District announced that Chief Doug Fritz was the recipient of the 2025 George Mazzotti Fire Chief of the Year Award, presented at the Colorado Fire Leadership Challenge in Keystone on Thursday, Oct. 23.

The annual award recognizes a fire chief's positive contributions to leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public, or other contributions to the Colorado fire service.

"Chief Fritz embodies the qualities the George Mazzotti Fire Chief of the Year Award seeks to honor. He demonstrates visionary leadership, operational innovation, dedication to public service, and an unwavering commitment to training and mentorship. He has spent four decades building capacity not just for his district, but for the entire fire

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