Tribune Tri Lakes 7.24.13
July 24, 2013
Tri-Lakes
75 cents
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourtrilakesnews.com
Tri-Lakes Region, Monument, Gleneagle, Black Forest and Northern El Paso County • Volume 48, Issue 30
Black Forest churches help meet needs Provide food, clothing, furniture and other items to those affected by fire By Lisa Collacott
lcollacott@ourcoloradonews.com
The chapel at the Air Force Academy is frequented by more than 400,000 visitors annually. Photos courtesy of the Air Force Academy
Tourism looking healthy in Tri-Lakes region Summer numbers still coming in for many businesses and attractions By Danny Summers
Dsummers@ourcoloradonews.com The massive Black Forest Fire that destroyed almost 500 homes and burned more 14,000 acres in June seems to have had only a slight affect - either way - on summer tourism in the Tri-Lakes area. Officials at the area’s top two tourist destinations - Air Force Academy Visitors Center and Chapel, and the Western Museum of Mining and Industry - had varying accounts of guests at their facilities. “We were affected (in 2012) from the Waldo Canyon Fire, just like everyone else was,” said Dave Futey, manager of the Western Mining Museum. “And even
though we were closed for three days this year because of the Black Forest Fire, in general, we’re on par with what we were two years ago.” The Black Forest Fire caused many businesses in the immediate area to close down for a time, or shorten their hours. The Mining Museum was on pre evacuation the third day of the fire (June 13). “Even when we were closed we had people show up a couple of days,” Futey said. “I guess they weren’t aware of the severity of what was going on.” Futey did not have exact numbers on summer tourism at the Mining Museum, but he did note that the museum experiences its busiest tourist season from late may to early August. “We usually see it pick up again after Labor Day and we see a bump for about a month,” he said. Futey added that school group volume is heaviest in April and May, and then
The Air Force Academy Visitor’s Center is the most frequented man-made attraction in the Pikes Peak region. Courtesy of the Air Force Academy POSTAL ADDRESS
again from September through early November. The Air Force Academy also was not able to provide exact figures on the number of tourists or guests that have passed through its gates. But John Van Winkle, the AFAs’ deputy chief, media relations, said that 156,000 people made their way into the visitor’s center from January through June of this year. During the time period in 2012, 184,000 had been counted. “There’s always going to be some fluctuation over the years,” said Van Winkle, who noted that 441,000 passed through visitor’s center all of last year. “The fires don’t help with tourism. “We might have better numbers with people who go to the visitor’s center than the gift shop or chapel. It’s hard to say.” The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce reported a steady flow of visitors this year. “It’s about the same as it’s been in previous years,” said office manager Kelli Rose. “During the summer months we get a lot more people that come in here. The two biggest things that they want to know about are Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods.” Rose added that folks wanting to explore the immediate Tri-Lakes area show interest in fishing and hiking its many trails. “They want to get back to nature, she said. Many attractions in the Pikes Peak region have reported increases in numbers of patrons. “We’ve been pretty consistent all summer,” said Jeff Wolin, a park ranger at Florissant Fossil Beds in Teller County. “We thought we might see a drop off with the
The Bible says to love one another and to look out for the interests of others and that is exactly what Black Forest Churches are doing in the wake of the Black Forest Fire. Since the fire the churches in Black Forest have stepped up to help their community and those in their own congregations as many of them have lost their own homes. The churches have been providing everything from monetary needs, clothing and furniture, clean-up of their properties and people that will help sift through the ash to find some memory or keepsake that might have survived the fire. “We have been giving money to those that have immediate needs,” Rev. Burl Kreps from Black Forest Community Church said. Kreps said the church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and churches across the country affiliated with UCC have been sending in donations to help. A church in Fort Collins sent $2,000 and one in Maine sent $1,000. Black Forest Community Church has also given prayer shawls to those who have lost their homes. “We’ve received a lot of positive feedback on that,” Kreps said. Jan Duncan, director of ministries at Black Forest Lutheran Church, said they have provided food, clothes and household items to anyone that needs them. “We have teams of people going out to help with cutting down trees,” Duncan said. Duncan said 20 families in their congregation have lost their homes and they have really been assisting them. But many others have come into the church needing items. One woman came in specifically looking for patio chairs and Duncan helped her locate some. The First Baptist Church of Black Forest recently had a clothes distribution and provided clothing to over 200 families. They don’t have room to store any furniture but they are acting as the middleman for those that need furniture and those that have furniture to donate. “On Aug. 25 the church is inviting the 486 families that lost their homes to their Great Tailgate Round-up, an annual fall kick-off. They will provide dinner and an outdoor movie and will give away prizes. There will be another clothes distribution at the event and the North American Mission Board has sent bibles that will also be available at the event for the many people that lost their bibles in the fire. “We just want to love on them and let them know we are here. We are not about religion. We just want to help,” John Wells, worship pastor at First Baptist Church of Black Forest, said.
Tourism continues on Page 12
Churches continues on Page 13
THE TRIBUNE (USPS 418-960)
OFFICE: 1200 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863 PHONE: 719-687-3006 A legal newspaper of general circulation in El Paso County, Colorado, The Tribune is published weekly on Wednesday by Colorado Community Media, 1200 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT WOODLAND PARK, COLORADO. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display advertising: Thurs.11 a.m. Legal advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Classified advertising: Mon. 12 p.m.
GET SOCIAL WITH US The Tri-Lakes Tribune wants to share the news. Check out and like our page on facebook. Search for Tri-Lakes Tribune.
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.