07/03/2026
Difficult night for fire crews, emergency officials, and evacuees as the Aspen Acres Fire remained very active overnight.
The fire continues to approach Hwy 165 to the south and the east in both Rye and Colorado City.
The combination of poor humidity recovery, difficult terrain, local microclimate influences, and infrastructure combined with the intensity of the fire is making it very difficult to fight.
Southwest winds during the day and then north to northwest drainage winds at night so the fire is burning very hot on multiple flanks to the north and the south.
The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office thanks everyone who’s donated so far. The community has shown up in a big way, and they’re honestly overwhelmed by the generosity. At this time, they’re in a much better position with physical donations than they were just a couple of days ago.
If you still feel it in your heart to help, two of the best places to donate right now are the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, which is helping care for animals impacted by the Aspen Acres Fire, United Way of Southern Colorado, and the American Red Cross. If you choose to donate to the Red Cross, be sure to specify that you’d like your donation to go directly toward the Aspen Acres Fire response and recovery efforts.
I’m sure there are other legitimate local nonprofits and community fundraisers accepting donations as well. As always, just make sure you’re donating through verified organizations so your generosity gets where it’s needed most.
đź“ŤColorado City
📸 Kyler Hewes
