Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department
Donation protected
John Koch, the Gunnison Iceman, his partner Erin Knuth and their children, lost everything in a massive fire yesterday at 118 Country Road. It started in the freestanding garage and quickly spread to the house next door, gutting it. The fire was so hot that it even burned out 2 cars that were parked in the driveway. Thankfully everyone got out of the house safely. But it all happened so quickly - they escaped without shoes on their feet. It took hours to get the fire under control.
Johnny is my brother. Since graduating from Western State in the 90’s, Gunnison has been the center of the universe for him. It’s where he has raised his family, worked hard to operate his independent ice business (Gunnison Ice), drove the Zamboni at the Gunnison ice arena, and sharpened skates there for hundreds of youth hockey players. He’s the loud guy with the beard cheering for Gunnison at every hockey game. He’s the guy who has blown snow at CB for over 20 years, making sure the skiers have a beautiful playground every day. He’s the kind of guy most people in town know as just “The Iceman.” When telling me about the disaster this morning, the thing I will never forget was him telling me: “Some of them are my neighbors…some are my friends…and some are just folks I see in places around town. Those Volunteers…they risked their lives to try to save my home.”
The cost to rebuild the house and replace contents should be covered. So, this fundraiser is a little different from the usual post-fire tragedy. The money raised here will be donated to the GUNNISON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, the selfless men and women that responded yesterday to fight the devasting fire.
Houses can be rebuilt. Most things can be replaced. But gratitude to volunteer emergency responders and the local Red Cross is priceless.
Our hearts and prayers are with Johnny and Erin and their family. Our thanks are to the Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department. A community organization that has your back when you need them.
Thanks for making a donation.
Lili Koch Colby
Johnny is my brother. Since graduating from Western State in the 90’s, Gunnison has been the center of the universe for him. It’s where he has raised his family, worked hard to operate his independent ice business (Gunnison Ice), drove the Zamboni at the Gunnison ice arena, and sharpened skates there for hundreds of youth hockey players. He’s the loud guy with the beard cheering for Gunnison at every hockey game. He’s the guy who has blown snow at CB for over 20 years, making sure the skiers have a beautiful playground every day. He’s the kind of guy most people in town know as just “The Iceman.” When telling me about the disaster this morning, the thing I will never forget was him telling me: “Some of them are my neighbors…some are my friends…and some are just folks I see in places around town. Those Volunteers…they risked their lives to try to save my home.”
The cost to rebuild the house and replace contents should be covered. So, this fundraiser is a little different from the usual post-fire tragedy. The money raised here will be donated to the GUNNISON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, the selfless men and women that responded yesterday to fight the devasting fire.
Houses can be rebuilt. Most things can be replaced. But gratitude to volunteer emergency responders and the local Red Cross is priceless.
Our hearts and prayers are with Johnny and Erin and their family. Our thanks are to the Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department. A community organization that has your back when you need them.
Thanks for making a donation.
Lili Koch Colby
Organizer
Lili Colby
Organizer
Gunnison, CO