AMF Gives Back to the Local Fire Department and Veteran Support Group
Trevor Phipps
After only their second year of holding the America’s Mountain Festival (AMF) in downtown Woodland Park, group organizers say they are proud of the event’s growth.
Moreover, the festival was able to give more money to support the community than they did in their debut year.
In 2026, the festival featured a new look, as the organizers decided to make community-oriented changes. Instead of charging people to get into the entire event, the main festival area was open for free to the public and visitors only had to pay to get close to the stage and listen to the concerts.
As the country musicians performed on the stage, the festival added new games for the kids as well as featuring a hefty lineup of vendors. Also, a new addition was the Western Art Show, set up inside the banquet room of the Tava House.
According to the festival organizers, the changes paid off. “We’re extremely proud of what was accomplished in only our second year,” AMF Director Heather Burrows said. “We experienced increased attendance, stronger ticket sales, more vendors, expanded community participation, and overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests. Those results demonstrate that America’s Mountain Festival is becoming one of Colorado’s premier summer events while remaining true to its hometown roots.”
On July 22, AMF held a presentation inside the Tava House banquet room to present donations and thank their sponsors in a unique way by giving them guitars autographed by every band and musician that played at the festival. During the presentation, Burrows said that the festival sold more than 1,000 tickets, which exceeded the revenue generated last year. In addition, they also donated hundreds of tickets to military members and veterans.
Fire Department and Veteran Aid Group Receive Giant Checks
The after-event presentation then awarded AMF’s two main recipients for the 2026 festival. These funds came from a portion of the ticket sales. Auctions for autographed guitars also helped generate donations for the nonprofit beneficiary, Rifle 2 Reins.
In the end, the Northeast Teller County Fire Protection District (NETCO) received a $3,000 check, which was an increase from last year. Rifle 2 Reins were given a $10,500 check to add to the total of $16,500 AMF has given to the community since its inception in July 2025.
“From the very beginning, America’s Mountain Festival was envisioned as more than a concert,” Derek Waggoner, founder of AMF said. “Our goal has always been to create an event that brings people together, showcases our community, supports local businesses, and gives back to organizations that make a difference every day. Today’s presentations are a reminder that when a community comes together, everyone benefits.”
The AMF organizers also took time to specifically thank three of their main sponsors: Park State Bank & Trust, Charis Bible College, and Teller WiFi. Representatives from the three sponsors accepted commemorative guitars personally autographed by this year’s performing artists, including headliner Aaron Watson, Jenna Paulette, Walker Montgomery, Tyce Delk, Matt Skinner Band, and America’s Mountain Festival Songwriters’ Competition winner Kenya Reese.
“We are truly honored to accept this recognition and proud to support America’s Mountain Festival,” Makayla Richardson, representing Park State Bank & Trust said. “At PSB&T, we believe events like this are the heart of our community — bringing families together, forging lasting connections, and breathing life into our downtown. We are deeply grateful for the chance to invest in experiences that strengthen the places we call home and enrich the lives of the people we serve.”
Festival Recipient Winners
The two main recipients of the event’s community support funds in 2026 also appreciated the support they received from the festival.
Rifles 2 Reins (R2R) is a local nonprofit organization that was founded by military veterans for military veterans. The organization takes combat veterans and pairs them with unbroken horses. After the training with the horses is complete, the veterans get a chance to adopt the horses.
In addition, NETCO Fire Chief Tyler Lambert thanked the AMF organizers for the donation it received from the festival. The fire department covers a large area that includes parts of Pikes Peak, Crystola, Woodland Park (including the subdivisions around the town) and north of Woodland Park to the Douglas County line. The department handles around 1,600 calls with a staff of 18 firefighters.
Lambert said that the fire department recently purchased a new ladder truck. The donation will help the fire department with costs associated with adding the new truck to their fleet.
Although there is not yet a date set for the third annual AMF event in 2027, the organizers hope to continue to expand the event.
