PUEBLO, COLO – After a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19 the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Polar Plunge returned to the 42- degree water of the Pueblo Reservoir on March 5.
The event raises money for the Special Olympics of Colorado and Saturday 140 people showed up to bring the fundraiser back to the tune of nearly $23,000 raised for Special Olympics.
“When you build that relationship, you see how important it is to the athlete’s lives, so that’s why it’s important to us,” said Deputy Dawn Ballas of the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.
“Things like this not only provide to their athletic ventures but provided funding for health and wellness as well, so it’s very important.”
The Pueblo County Sheriff Emergency Services Bureau (ESB) Dive Team took to the water to ensure a safe event in the frigid water. American Medical Response, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Flight for Life, LifeLine, Pueblo Rural Fire Protection District and Pueblo West Fire Department also attended the event.
The fundraising event closed the south boat ramp at the park for the entire day. The ramp will reopen Sunday.
Since 2016, Lake Pueblo State Park has hosted the event, which is sponsored by the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office. In fact, the sheriff's office said they were the first ones in the water this year!
All funds raised go towards programming and events for nearly 25,000 Special Olympics athletes statewide, CPW said.