My name is Laura Kay and I live in Richmond, VA. I am fundraising on behalf of my mother, Sharon Leggett, who was forced to evacuate her home with her two cats in Rye, Colorado on June 30th, 2026 as a result of the Aspen Acres fire.

She is currently displaced and staying in a small hotel room in Pueblo, Colorado with her cats. My mom is unable to return to her home due to the mandatory evacuation and is riddled with the uncertainty of whether or not it will still be there when/if the fire is contained.

As of today, July 3rd, the Aspen Acres fire is the 8th largest in Colorado history. It remains 0% contained, and extreme fire conditions, including low humidity and high winds, are persisting. The fire was last mapped at 74,265 acres with no containment lines established as of 4 p.m. today, July 3rd, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office.

While I am doing the best I can to support my mom from states away, I am unable to help in the way she needs on my own. Please help me give my mother, who is disabled, the peace of mind to focus on recovering amist this horrible crisis. If you are unable to donate, as we are in increasingly trying times, please consider sharing the link to this GoFundMe to increase awareness.