Remembering the flood: The Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association hosted a brief storytelling event, presented by United Power, that culminated in the unveiling and dedication of an engraved commemorative stone at the CCCIA Hall on Highway 72. Above, Ken Fisher sang “Colorado Sky.” He said he wrote it 20 years ago but added a verse after the flood. PHOTO BY JOHN SCARFFE[/caption]

The Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association hosted a brief storytelling event, presented by United Power, that culminated in the unveiling and dedication of an engraved commemorative stone at the CCCIA hall on Highway 72.

The event took place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 9. The event celebrated the dedicated efforts of first responders such as FEMA, the American Red Cross, and our local heroes. It also included community members who lent each other a hand and navigated months of disruption.

Organizers Norma Cassin and Rai Farrelly, both on the CCCIA Board, organized the event. “We wanted to acknowledge our community and celebrate the community coming together after the devastating flood,” Cassin said.

The flood took place on 9/11/2013 after four days of rain. Residents didn’t have hot water with the gas lines out, so they shared their resources. Two weeks after the event, CCCIA hosted a pancake breakfast and had a record turnout of 300 people.

Canyon Pines donated a rock that was engraved in dedication of the flood event with two benches and Farrelly planted flowers. It was dedicated that afternoon by Tom Mulvany who was president of CCCIA during the event.

During the event, a slideshow displayed photos of the devastation from the flood. Ken Fisher sang “Colorado Sky.” He said he wrote it 20 years ago but added a verse after the flood.

Community members were invited to share their memories. Jane Marsolek read a holiday letter and said after four days of rain they had 12 inches of water. Community members came and helped dig her out. Then they hired contractors to help clean up, and after they would open boxes accumulated during the flood and each one contained treasure.

Neighbors offered her a place to stay while the clean up was in progress, and after the clean up, she hosted an open house for all those who helped.

Tom Mulvany said he had gone to Salt Lake City and after hearing about the flood drove back through the rain. Cars were in the river at Wadsworth and 470. On Twin Spruce, a culvert was blowing out, and he was the last person to get through there that night. Highway 72 was closed. They worked on a neighbor’s deck, which was collapsing.

He was in contact with FEMA who wanted to put a shelter in Nederland, but Mulvany insisted it needed to be at the CCCIA Hall. The FEMA people came and measured for ADA compliance and Mulvany filled out paperwork to be an approved vendor.

FEMA parked a bus outside and then owned the hall for a couple of weeks. One of the security guards was in his car when he saw a big black bear disappearing into a trash dumpster. He saw one bag come out of the dumpster, then another, and then the bear came out. The guard didn’t know what to do.

A resident said the Quick Mart flooded and at his home water was pouring out of his garage. For three weeks he was driving around sanitizing wells.

Coal Creek Fire Department representatives Laura Ball and Rob Larsen said that during the flood their heavy fire trucks were floating down the highway, but the canyon experienced no loss of life.

A Blue Mountain resident said she was supposed to go to Nebraska that night. As she headed down Westridge road, half the road was gone, but she made it through Longmont and Loveland despite all the wood coming down through the flood. It took seven months to fix the road.

Board member Susy Schemel said they were trapped after the flood but they finally found a route down the canyon through Golden Gate Canyon. Board member Bruce Goodwin said he lives on Twin Spruce Road, and his home was the only one not damaged because of his big culverts, but debris came washing down from the homes above.

Members said this is not the first flood in Coal Creek Canyon. The Canyon also flooded in 1946 or 1947 and in 1969.

Cake and sparkling cider were provided. People chatted casually at tables with community members.

The dedication of the stone, led by Tom Mulvaney, took place outside the hall. Mulvany said the stone is dedicated to all those who assisted during the 2013 flood. He thanked the Coal Creek Fire Department, which worked every day, the Jefferson County, Boulder County and Gilpin County sheriff’s departments, CCCIA for working with FEMA, Red Cross, Canyon Cares, Whispering Pines, Jefferson County Emergency Management, United Power, Denver Water which repaired two roads, former governors, and the US Post Office for keeping the mail flowing.

He thanked Canyon Liquors, which had 20 people cleaning up, the convenience store, and Larence Construction which worked on Highway 72. From the Watershed Partnership, they received $3 million for drainage repair and driveways.

The dedication ended with unveiling the new, engraved rock and two new benches.

For more information, go to https:// www.coalcreekcanyon.org/. The CCCIA Hall is located at 31528 Highway 72, Golden, CO 80403, email is at ccccia8043@gmail.com.