Grand Junction Fire Chief Pete Skeris Resigns
Skeris is leaving the department in November 2026, and Deputy Chief Sean Brooks will serve as interim chief starting November 28.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in People
Grand Junction Fire Chief Pete Skeris has resigned from the department, which the City of Grand Junction announced. Deputy Chief Sean Brooks has been named interim fire chief beginning November 28.
Why it matters
Skeris served as fire chief for about nine months before departing for personal family reasons, leaving the city to fill the top fire department post. The transition puts Brooks, who has more than 25 years of experience in fire and emergency services, in charge in the interim.
Skeris's tenure lasted about nine months, while interim chief Sean Brooks brings over 25 years of experience to the role starting November 28. The city has not yet said how long the interim arrangement will last.
The players
Pete Skeris
Pete Skeris is the former fire chief of Grand Junction, Colorado, who previously worked as a fire official before taking the top post in the city.
Sean Brooks
Sean Brooks is a Grand Junction Fire Department deputy chief with more than 25 years of experience in fire and emergency services, named interim chief.
The details
Skeris announced his decision in a video statement, saying he is moving back to North Carolina for family reasons. The city will start its search for a permanent chief early next year, after the holiday season.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026: Skeris took over as Grand Junction fire chief.
November 2026: Skeris departs the department.
November 28, 2026: Sean Brooks begins as interim fire chief.
Early 2027: The city begins its search for the next fire chief.
Leadership Transition
Grand Junction's handoff follows a common municipal pattern in which a deputy chief is elevated to interim leadership while the city runs a full search for a permanent fire chief. The approach keeps day-to-day operations under an experienced internal official during the transition.
Residents will see Brooks lead the department on an interim basis starting November 28, with day-to-day fire and emergency services continuing under his direction. A permanent chief is not expected until the city completes its search in early 2027.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions in public safety departments often rely on internal deputies to maintain continuity while cities search for permanent replacements. In Grand Junction, Brooks's decades of experience will anchor the department through that search.
What happens next
The city plans to begin its search for the next fire chief early next year, after the holiday season.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage in Grand Junction for context on local leadership changes.
