Remembering…the 9/11 Stair Climb at Red Rocks
To honor the firefighters from 9/11, the Colorado 9/11 Stair Climb originated when five Denver firefighters climbed 110 stories of a high-rise office building in downtown Denver in 2005. In the following years, the Stair Climb grew in popularity until it was officially established by the West Metro Firefighters Local 1309 in 2009 and found a permanent home at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater.
Today, the memorial event, along with more than 40 similar climbs around the United States, has raised more than $6 million for the New York City Fire Department’s Counseling Unit and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Since 2012, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Fire Science program has participated in the climb.
This year, there were more than 2,000 attendees at Red Rocks and $100,000 was raised for the two firefighting organizations. Afterwards, participants enjoyed live music and free pizza was provided by The Garlic Knot. A new nonprofit in Colorado, Hands Helping Heroes, gave free massages to the climbers.
Rock Canyon High School Fire Science program students participated in walking nine laps up the stairs and around the Red Rocks Amphitheater, which equates to the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. With temperatures in the upper 80s and full firefighting gear on, the climb was challenging.
Juniors, Nikolai Ziedins of the Stonecroft neighborhood (left) and Cash Barnett from the Knightsbridge HOA (right), participated in the 9/11 Stair Climb at the Red Rocks Amphitheater as part of the Fire Science program at Rock Canyon High School.
Rock Canyon High School Fire Science students regained their breath on the steps of the Red Rocks Amphitheater after completing the memorial 9/11 Stair Climb.
Photos and captions by Jada Horan
