COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — The 48th annual Colorado Springs Labor Day liftoff is coming to a close today. Crews are looking forward to another balloon launch event soon.
This event goes back nearly five decades. It’s hosted by Hot Apple Productions along with the Rainbow Ryders and Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, who have a rich history in Colorado Springs. They formed in 1979 to help relocate the us Olympic Committee from New York City to Colorado Springs. Today, they continue to promote tourism to the springs with events like these.
I talked with Nicola Vierno who works for Hot Apple Productions. She says keeping things local is a big part of what they do. “We like to have a little bit of mix of Colorado Springs local bands, and we do have Cody Cozz coming this year, who is a Colorado native and just a big Colorado person in general so we wanted him to be out here to support the community.”
Sam Parks, a pilot tells me the Springs is one of his favorite places to fly. “I’m flying for Dos Equis, and I’m flying for Rainbow Ryders. It’s just a wonderful place to fly… the people are wonderful, the event is great!”
Looking forward, the Albuquerque International Ballon Fiesta is coming up in about a month. Crews I talked to here in the springs say they’re looking forward to that nine-day event in New Mexico.
Fort Carson Soldier Raises $50K for Cancer Treatment - Gives It All Away to Help Others
Sergeant First Class David Hong battling stage 4 colon cancer raised over $50,000 in three days for experimental treatment, but when Tricare approved coverage, he donated every penny to help other service members and veterans fighting cancer. The Fort Carson religious specialist underwent the innovative histotripsy treatment earlier this month and remains hopeful about the results. His selfless decision shows how one soldier's battle became a mission to help others in their fight against cancer.
