The Estes Valley Crisis Advocates successfully raised $27,532.50 in net proceeds from its annual soup fundraiser. This significant community support arrives at a critical time for organizations dedicated to assisting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes within the Estes Valley and beyond. The event served 160 soup dinners, drawing strong engagement from local businesses and individual donors.
Business sponsorships constituted the majority of the funds raised. Individual donations and direct soup orders also contributed substantially, totaling $3,555 to the overall proceeds.
Across Colorado, many victim advocacy organizations are facing severe funding shortages. These financial constraints have led some to close their doors, while others, such as Safe Shelter of St. Vrain in Longmont, face the possibility of closure by year's end. The Estes Valley Crisis Advocates itself confronts similar funding pressures. In the past three years, federal and state grants have typically accounted for between 60% to 65% of the organization’s operational budget. With these grant funding sources becoming increasingly uncertain and the demand for victim services simultaneously rising, the nonprofit has implemented measures to reduce expenses, including cutting staff hours.
Despite these reductions, the Estes Valley Crisis Advocates remains committed to providing essential victim advocacy services, offering emergency shelter, and maintaining a 24-hour crisis hotline. Community generosity has played a vital role in bridging critical gaps in service. This local support ranges from providing homemade meals for individuals staying in the safehouse to fulfilling urgent requests for necessary items such as infant car seats.
The organization is also actively preparing for the implementation of Colorado’s new Mandatory Lethality Assessment Act, designated HB26-1009. This state law mandates that law enforcement officers responding to incidents of domestic violence must conduct assessments to determine a victim’s risk of serious injury or death. Should an assessment identify a high-risk situation, officers are required to immediately connect the victim with a confidential domestic violence advocacy organization. This connection is facilitated through a defined process known as a “warm handoff.” To ensure smooth implementation, the Estes Valley Crisis Advocates is working collaboratively with both the Estes Park Police Department and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office to establish clear protocols for these vital referrals.
The success of the recent fundraiser underscores the deep community support for the Estes Valley Crisis Advocates. A wide array of local businesses and organizations contributed as sponsors, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. Summit Sponsors for the event included Ascent Escrow & Title, The Egg of Estes, Quality Inn of Estes Park, and Waste Management. Major and in-kind sponsors also provided significant support, including Bank of Colorado, Bank of Estes Park, Bart’s Liquors, The Cowlick Hair Saloon, Estes Park News, Estes Valley Voice, Kind Coffee, LMN Builders, Poppy’s Pizza & Grill, Daniel M. Rauk, DDS, Rocky Mountain Pharmacy, and YMCA of the Rockies — Estes Park Center. Spotlight Sponsors were B & E Builders, Estes Park Mountain Shop, The Inspired Living Group/eXp Realty, La Cocina De Mama Mexican Food and Cantina, and Way Finder Cleaning Services. Additional Event Sponsors included Animal Medical Center of Estes Park, Big Horn Restaurant, Casa Grande Restaurant, Cheley Camp, The Country Market, Darling Enterprise, Derek Vinge — Edward Jones, Estes Park Housing Authority, Estes Valley Collision, First Colorado Realty — Mary Murphy, Hunter’s Chop House, and State Farm Insurance — Susan Fereday. The Estes Valley Crisis Advocates specifically acknowledges the generosity of the Estes Valley community for its role in enabling the organization to continue serving individuals experiencing violence and crisis.