NewsCovering Colorado

Actions

A Colorado WWII history group's stolen trailer, and some artifacts that were inside, have been recovered

"The news media coverage about this loss has been instrumental to the progress so far,” said Dave Little, the founder of the 10th Mountain Division Living History Group.
The 10th Mountain Division Living History Group lost over $20,000 in stolen WWII artifacts, after their trailer was stolen. Some of the lost items can be seen in this photo, including tents, signage and netting.
Posted
and last updated

A trailer that was stolen from a history group dedicated to “Colorado’s ski troopers,” and some of the artifacts that were inside, have been recovered.

The 10th Mountain Division Living History Group’s trailer was stolen from outside of a member’s home in Englewood in the early-morning hours of April 13. Inside was a kitchen set, netting, signage and a green tent.

In total, the stolen goods were worth an estimated $20,000.

Dave Little, the founder of the 10th Mountain Division Living History Group, told us they recovered about half of their items, including their tarps, tent-poles and parts of their kitchen set.

"The news media coverage about this loss has been instrumental to the progress so far,” Little said.

Trailer containing $20K in WWII memorabilia stolen from Englewood

Although grateful for the recovered trailer, Little said they still are missing around $10,000 in items. Additionally, many of the items still missing are irreplaceable, since they are authentic WWII items.

"The pieces that are missing still hurt," said Little. "They will be pieces of history that are lost forever.”

Denver7 has launched a Denver7 Gives campaign to help the 10th Mountain Division Living History Group. The funds collected there and from other online fundraisers will go toward replacing stolen or damaged items, as well as upgrading security, Little said.

The living history group aims to preserve the memory of the famous 10th Mountain military division, veterans of which started several ski resorts including Vail, Steamboat, Aspen and Arapahoe Basin. Soldiers in the division trained at Camp Hale, located between Leadville and Vail in the Colorado mountains, during World War II.

In 2022, Camp Hale and the area of the Continental Divide that surrounds it were dedicated as a national monument.

Historians with the living history group have stockpiled memorabilia for decades and have displays at multiple museums in Colorado and the National Archive.

Denver7 features the stories of people who need help and now you can help them with a cash donation through Denver7 Gives. One hundred percent of contributions to the fund will be used to help people in our local community.

To donate to this campaign or choose another to support, use the secure form below.


Want more stories of hope and ways to help in your inbox? Sign up to get the weekly Denver7 Gives Email Newsletter 💌