Mega Crowd of Supporters Partake in Long-awaited Community of Caring Gala
Rick Langenberg
One of the final public events, prior to the construction kick-off for the $5 million “A Place for Kids” childcare center in Cripple Creek, attracted a mega crowd last week.
But more importantly, the festive gathering generated thousands of dollars in donations and future commitments. Although no figures have been released, estimates indicate the grand fund gala could have easily exceeded the $100,000 mark.
“It is unbelievable the support we have received,” said Ted Borden, executive director of Community of Caring, the main organization that has spearheaded the most ambitious public venture in southern Teller in recent years. “For this many people to come out on a Tuesday night and show their support, it just breaks my heart.”
He lauded the level of partnership, cooperation, and volunteerism in the county as second to none.
It’s no secret that the area faces a childcare crisis, and a grand gala held at the Chamonix Casino & Hotel on the evening of June 2, provided a prime way to reach the home stretch in the project funding. The event,entitled “Where Dreams Grow,” was capped by speeches, testimonies, project visuals and videos, live music, a rare auction, prize drawings, a dinner, cocktails and a bombardment of commitments. In most ways, the event served as a celebration for the forthcoming center, which eventually will encompass close to 10,000 square feet.
So far, the project has raised nearly $4 million through grants and donations, but it still needs another $800,000 in local funding to open by the summer 2027. Construction on the 7,000-square-foot first phase is scheduled to begin in early August.
Similar to previous A Place for Kids ceremonies, Mary Bielz, the charismatic chairperson of Community of Caring Board, took center stage and outlined the overall history of the Aspen Mine Center. She read a letter from the original owners of the former Aspen Mine Casino, whose property donation paved the way for a resource hub that remains unprecedented in the region.
“It has been a miracle,” said Bielz, in describing the project, which eventually could offer 24/7 childcare and a variety of community services. “It has been a real challenge. We have been blessed.”
The project involves a lengthy process that gained momentum with a task force. The effort, though, really took off with a $1 million grant by the state Department of Local Affairs, and equal funding by Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, who represents the 7th Congressional District, which includes Teller County.
No recent project has drawn as much local support.
A Community Crisis
Cripple Creek Mayor Annie Durham outlined childcare as probably the biggest issue the community faces. For years, she noted that this need was informally handled by a network of “family, friends and neighbors,” but noted that a community can only rely on this type of generosity for so long. She described the planning and fund-raising efforts as a significant step in turning a long-time vision into a reality.
The evening’s most compelling speaker was Trisabeele Proffitt, who frequently fought back tears, in describing first-hand the plight of a working mother trying to balance career-related challenges with raising several children.
Despite all the best intentions of many providers, she said the challenges and costs for local parents are unbearable. This challenge is even more surmountable in Cripple Creek, with a gaming community that does not sleep. “It is a community challenge,” said Proffitt. “We have the opportunity now to change that here. We are invested in our children. The children are our future.”
The initial phase of A Place For Kids won’t offer 24/7 care, but it will service the community for five days a week, with service during the times that most people work. It will be equipped to handle 60 kids at one time.
The gala’s most lively times occurred during its live auctions. Former Cripple Creek Police Chief Mike Rulo showcased a rare form of historic rifles rarely exhibited. He even noted that a few of the guns on display were only seen, if a person took a specially guided helicopter trip to the property of the weapon owner.
Not surprisingly, little money was spared in the bidding process for these items and others.
If residents are interested in still offering donations to the project, call 719-912-5013,
