Colo. firefighter critically injured in 50-foot fall during training

West Metro firefighter and technical rescue instructor was critically injured after falling during a high-angle rescue training exercise

July 30, 2026 09:59 AM

By Katie Langford
The Denver Post

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — A metro Denver firefighter was taken to the hospital with critical injuries on Wednesday morning after he fell 50 feet during a technical training exercise, West Metro Fire Rescue officials said.

West Metro crews were participating in high-angle rescue training in a steep, rocky area near Morrison at around 11 a.m. when firefighter/paramedic Jarrod Leonard fell and was injured, agency officials said on social media.

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Leonard was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition and receiving ongoing treatment and evaluations, West Metro leaders said.

“Jarrod has served the West Metro community for more than 23 years and is one of our technical rescue instructors, helping train firefighters in the specialized skills needed to perform rescues in some of the most challenging environments,” the agency said in Wednesday afternoon.

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