The Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department was founded back in 1975. Today we've grown into one of the best equipped, best trained volunteer fire departments in the state, responding to fires, accidents and emergencies in the 100 square mile mountain area west of Fort Collins / LaPorte, Colorado.
Unlike most volunteer fire departments, we receive no mandated public funding. Everything from gas for the fire trucks and medical supplies for first responders to state-of-the-art fire fighting equipment comes from funds raised by the community.
The Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction and Rist Canyon Mountain Festival is the only fundraiser we hold all year. Over the past 12 years, the single-day auction/festival has raised over $500,000 to upgrade and buy new equipment, and protect the people and land of this beautiful mountain area.
I am currently working on my submission.