Loveland Police Honor Veterans as Community Bells Ring for Freedom
Loveland residents awoke to the sound of church bells at 4 AM on November 11 as the city's Bells of Freedom tradition marked Veterans Day with a solemn commemoration of military service and sacrifice.
The early-morning bell ringing, established in Loveland in the early 1950s, honors the November 11, 1918 Armistice that ended World War I. The 4 AM timing corresponds to 11 AM Paris time, when the Armistice took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
The Loveland Police Department, where more than 20 percent of sworn officers are military veterans, used the occasion to recognize service members past and present. Chief Tim Doran, a 1996 West Point graduate who served a decade in the U.S. Army before entering law enforcement, leads the department.
"To our Loveland neighbors who served within our Armed Forces, sincere gratitude flows your direction," the department stated in its November 11 announcement. "Your commitment strengthens our community beyond measure."
Above-Average Veteran Representation
Of the Loveland Police Department's 88 sworn officers, at least 18 have military veteran status, placing the agency slightly above the national average for municipal police departments. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows veterans comprise approximately 19 percent of all U.S. police officers, with municipal departments averaging between 15 and 20 percent.
Colorado police departments commonly recognize military experience as a hiring advantage through Veterans' Preference Points and expedited certification pathways. The City of Loveland's human resources policies explicitly credit military training and experience during the hiring process.
Chief Doran achieved the rank of major during his Army service from 1996 to 2007 before transitioning to civilian law enforcement in Arizona. He was appointed Loveland Police Chief on August 2, 2021.
Regional Veterans Day Observances
The Bells of Freedom tradition, coordinated by local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts with support from Loveland churches, has been maintained for approximately 73 years with only minor interruptions for bell maintenance.
Fort Collins administrative offices closed November 11 for the federal holiday, while Greeley city buildings also shut down with emergency services remaining operational.
Veterans and active military personnel received free entry to all Colorado state parks November 11, including Boyd Lake and Lory State Parks in Larimer County.
The federal holiday originated as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. Congress renamed the observance Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all American veterans following World War II and the Korean War.