Eagle County Law Enforcement Torch Run Heads to Edwards Freedom Park

“Working with Special Olympics Colorado makes us better people and better police officers, which helps us thrive as individuals and as an organization.”

Deputy Lisa Vasquez of the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office says it like that. She’s been coordinating the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Eagle County for nearly 30 years, and she doesn’t just hand out medals or wave flags from the sidelines. She’s out there, lacing up her shoes alongside the rest of us, ready to turn a Saturday morning into a celebration of empathy.

This Saturday, the 42nd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run heads to Freedom Park in Edwards. It’s not just a race. It’s a color run.

You know the drill. You start as a blank canvas. You finish as a colorful masterpiece. The course is dotted with powder stations, and whether you’re running, walking, skipping, or hopping your way through the park, you’re going to get covered in it. It’s messy. It’s fun. It’s exactly the kind of event that pulls neighbors out of their living rooms and onto the pavement.

The goal this year is $7,000. That number sounds abstract until you realize it empowers local athletes with intellectual disabilities through sports, health programs, and leadership opportunities. It’s not just about the shiny trophy at the end of the season. It’s about the daily grind of training, the social skills learned on the field, and the confidence that comes from crossing a finish line.

Picture this: You’re standing at the starting line of the 2.3-mile color walk around Freedom Park. Or maybe you’re taking the shorter, 1-mile route around the lake. Both distances are doable for a variety of skill levels. If you’re fresh off the couch and looking for your first race of the season, this is it. No elite times required. Just show up.

The agencies participating are lining up to support the cause. You’ve got the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Eagle Police Department, Avon Police Department, Vail Police Department, Eagle River Fire, and Eagle County Paramedic Services. They’re not just showing up for the photo op, though that part is pretty great. Each year, locals get to see the athletes take a group photo with law enforcement in front of all the emergency vehicles before the event kicks off. It’s a visual reminder that these officers are giving back to the community in a big way.

Vasquez notes that the athletes teach us about demonstrating empathy and compassion. It’s easy to forget that when you’re rushing to work or stuck in traffic on I-70. But here, in the valley, we know better. We know that when Special Olympics athletes are alongside you the whole way, the run changes. It stops being about speed and starts being about connection.

After you cross the finish line and shake off the colored powder, stick around. Meet some of the athletes. Meet the officers. Enjoy the music and the refreshments, including ice cream. It’s a low-pressure environment where the only thing that matters is the shared experience.

The nationwide effort has raised over $1 billion since its inception, spanning 35 countries. But the local impact is what keeps the lights on for our own athletes. It’s what makes Edwards feel like a community rather than just a dot on a map.

The forecast is looking good for lacing up the shoes and heading out. The powder stations are ready. The athletes are waiting. And the police are ready to show us what they’ve got.