CityRock to host Saturday party for firefighters

CityRock, the indoor rock climbing center in downtown Colorado Springs, is holding a free event for firefighters and their families on Saturday - and discounted climbing sessions for the public.

Owners say it is one way they can thank these first responders for their efforts fighting the Waldo Canyon fire. Proceeds from public climbing sessions on Saturday will go to local volunteer fire departments.

Firefighters and their families can climb, free of charge, and enjoy free food from local restaurants.

The celebration for firefighters kicks off at 5 p.m. with climbing sessions and follows with dinner catered by Borriello Brothers Pizza, the Mediterranean Café, Bite Me Sausages, New Age Beverage and Bristol Brewing Co. at 8 p.m.

To raise money for firefighters and encourage people to try climbing, CityRock is offering discounted climbing sessions for everyone from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Harness rental will be $12, and shoe rental will be $5.

CityRock investor and El Paso Wildland Fire Crew volunteer member Michael Cobb helped contact local fire departments to determine which could use a financial boost.

“The volunteer fire departments are underfunded,” Cobb said.

For example, he said, the Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department operates on $60,000 a year.

“Green Mountain Falls has been very generous with us. But it costs a lot of money to fight a fire,” said Green Mountain Falls Fire Department Manager Jeff Idelman. “We’re fully functional, but we’ve got a lot of equipment that’s broken down, and needing repairs.”

CityRock plans to divide proceeds among the El Paso Wildland Fire Crew, Manitou Springs Fire Department, and Cascade, Green Mountain Falls, Crystal Park and Palmer Lake volunteer fire departments.

CityRock hopes to raise enough money to give each department $500.

“It’s not much, but it’s something,” said City Rock General Manager Lara Grosjean. “We just wanted to find a way to help out.”