Aspen Acres Fire Destroys 150 Structures Across Two Counties

Approximately 150 structures are gone. That is the hard number first responders gave Tuesday afternoon for the Aspen Acres Fire. It is a tally that spans two counties and leaves neighbors wondering what is left of their homes, their outbuildings, and their history.

The breakdown is stark. Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero announced roughly 100 structures lost in his jurisdiction. Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith confirmed about 55 in his. The total crosses the 150 mark. Some are homes. Some are likely just sheds and barns. No one is certain yet which is which.

Lucero said crews are still working to assess the damage. They will inform property owners in person once the losses are officially confirmed. Until then, the uncertainty hangs over the evacuation zones. People are waiting. They are standing on roadsides or in hotels, staring at smoke that hasn’t quite cleared, waiting for a knock on the door that tells them if they have a house left to return to.

One loss stands out for its historical weight. Lucero confirmed “substantial damage” to the historic Horseshoe Lodge at Mountain Park. This isn’t just another cabin. It is a restored 1930s-era retreat listed on the National and State Historic Registers. If the lodge goes, it takes a piece of regional history with it. The fire does not care about heritage registers. It cares about dry timber and wind.

The fire itself remains stubborn. It has burned just over 28,000 acres. It is 0% contained. Incident Commander Phil Daniels says this fire will burn for an extended period. That is not a forecast; it is a statement of current conditions. Some people may get to return to their homes eventually, but as of Tuesday afternoon, evacuations remain in effect. The wind is still a factor. It forced aerial assets to ground earlier, slowing the initial push to contain the blaze’s rapid Monday growth.

There is a human cost beyond the structures. The Custer County Sheriff confirmed one firefighter based out of Westcliffe was injured on Monday, June 29. Their condition is unknown. We know someone got hurt. We do not know how badly. That silence is worth watching.

While the fire burns, officials are watching for looters. Lucero issued a stern message to any “bad actors” looking to trespass, steal, or damage property in the evacuated zones. He said his office has had no reports of crimes yet, but he is proactive. He has seen this activity at previous fires. He is patrolling. You will be arrested. You will be prosecuted. The message is clear: the tragedy is not an invitation to take what isn’t yours.

The cause is still a mystery. Investigators from the U.S. Forest Service and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control are on-scene. They are working to determine what started the blaze. That information will be released to the public once known. Until then, the fire is just a force of nature consuming what is in its path.

Funding is coming. Governor Jared Polis announced Tuesday that the state has been authorized for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). Polis declared the wildfire an emergency on Monday morning, just hours after it started. The rapid growth and wind conditions forced his hand. The grant helps cover the costs of the response. It does not bring back the Horseshoe Lodge. It does not replace the homes. It helps pay the bill for the men and women on the front lines who are going above and beyond to keep everyone safe.

The short version: 150 structures are lost. The fire is not done. The cause is unknown. The bill is being paid by the state. The question now is how long it takes to figure out which 150 structures were actually homes.