From May 16-19, bike riders will ride across the state of Colorado during National Police Week in Washington, D.C. in the Tour De Shield to honor officers killed in the line of duty, while also raising money to donate “rifle-rated armor” to multiple police agencies in the state, including the Cortez Police Department.
The organization, which is in its eighth year, will also provide an End of Watch coin to the Cortez PD in honor of Sgt. Michael Moran, who was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop in Cortez on Nov. 29.
According to Shield616 founder Jake Skifstad, the goal of the organization in this year’s ride is to protect over 125 Colorado officers and deputies while helping cultivate law enforcement and community relationships.
“My heart is to better protect our first responders,” Skifstad said. “It’s also about good community relationships that our first responders really need.”
They are supporting the Alamosa Sheriff’s Office (goal 20 vests), Boulder County Sheriff’s Office (goal 20 vests), Colorado Springs Police Department (goal 10 vests), Cortez Police Department (goal 31 vests), El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (goal 10 vests), Lake County Sheriff’s Office (goal 12 vests) and the Trinidad Police Department (goal 12 vests) for a total of $225,500.
The “all-day, rifle-rated armor” is from Angel Armor, which is located in Fort Collins. Angel Armor was founded in 2013 by brothers Josh and JC Richardson.
The bike route will begin at Scheels in Colorado Springs and ride to the sheriff’s office or police department that lost an officer: the El Paso Sheriff’s Office, UCCS Police Department, Colorado Springs Police Department, Arvada Police Department, Commerce City Police Department and the Boulder Police Department. The ride will end at Scheels in Johnstown.
Over the course of four days, the riders will ride about 280 miles. Day One will be 81.8 miles from the Colorado Springs Scheels to Sedalia, day two 84.9 miles from Sedalia to Boulder, day three 42.7 miles from Boulder to Estes Park and day four 62 miles from Estes Park to the Johnstown Scheels.
Riders will also have the opportunity to tour Angel Armor, where they will be able to witness a live fire demonstration.
“We do the yearly bike ride as a big fundraising event,” Skifstad said.
Riders will be provided with jerseys to wear that have the names of first responders in Colorado who have died in the line of duty since SHIELD616 was founded.
Participating first responders are Tim Dellett of the Alamosa Police Department, Jason Giacchino and Tyler Smith of the Cortez Police Department and Benny O’Brien and Heath Speckman of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
SHIELD616 started by helping provide active shooter protection for law enforcement agencies in Colorado Springs before expanding their mission across the country.
Now, the organization has helped provide ballistic gear to over 360 law enforcement agencies in 33 different states, protecting over 7,400 first responders.
Riders will pay a $100 deposit to secure their spot, and the organization asks that each rider help raise $616 for the ride by mid-April.
Individuals interested in participating in the ride or volunteering can email info@shield616.org.
Those who wish to donate can give online at www.shield616.org/2024-tour-de-shield616-colorado-ride/.
Questions and additional information can be found by contacting Skifstad at (719) 640-0799, emailing jake@shield616.org or by contacting SHIELD616’s Donor Relations Manager Marcy Deeds at (719) 400-8780 or marcy@shield616.org.
