Aspen, Colo.--May 20, 2014--On May 27, 2014 the Aspen Fire Department, Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, Snowmass Village Police Department, Snowmass-Wildcat Fire Protection District and the Aspen Police Department will participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics (LETR). The torch run will begin at the Snowmass Village Town Hall (130 Kearns Road) at 11:00 a.m. with a finish and celebration at Connor Park/Aspen City Hall (130 S. Galena Street), at approximately 1:00 p.m. The LETR is the Special Olympics largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle in the world.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of Special Olympics. The LETR was quickly endorsed by Special Olympics, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), are now recognized as the organization of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
More than 97,000 law enforcement members in all 50 U.S. States, 12 Canadian provinces/territories, and 44 other countries contribute to LETR efforts annually as “Guardians of the Flame”, ensuring the delivery of the Flame of Hope to the opening ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state/provincial games, and national/regional games.
Although the Snowmass to Aspen route is not transporting the official torch to Denver, it is a symbolic run to increase awareness and show support for Colorado’s Special Olympics. Citizens can participate by supporting law enforcement officers along the route and by joining them for a celebration at Connor Park following the run, at approximately 1:00 p.m. You can find a route map online at:
Please direct all questions to Terry Leitch, Aspen Police Officer, at (970) 428-1824.
