FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. (KOAA) — An annual whitewater festival in Southern Colorado will be put on pause for 2026 as wildfires continue to threaten Southern Colorado communities.
Organizers of the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival said this year's event will be canceled. In social media posts from the Fremont Community Foundation and Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance, the announcement was made.
Citing the multiple wildfires burning in Southern Colorado, and now that parts of Fremont County are under evacuation, the organizers feel that they cannot ask for volunteers or emergency personnel to take on additional responsibility, with resources already being used heavily.
Refunds are being issued to ticket holders, and vendors are being contacted directly.
The festival traditionally runs July 17-18 in Cañon City.
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