New Year’s morning drew hundreds of people for a longstanding tradition in Evergreen.
The Evergreen Lake Plunge brought over 350 people to jump in a hole cut in the ice of the frigid lake.
“I don’t know. Why are we doing this? For fun,” said one mom there with her two boys.
Water temperatures hovered a few degrees above freezing as Evergreen Fire Rescue cut through the foot-thick ice to open a hole for the plungers.
The tradition began over a dozen years ago. Even during the pandemic, people continued the challenge at the Buchanan Ponds in Evergreen.
Plungers donate money to the Active 4 All Foundation, which is connected to the Evergreen Park and Recreation District. This year sponsors and plungers helped the foundation raise about $30,000. The funds will be used to assist programs like “Inspire” which helps kids and young people with special needs get active and gives their families help.
CBS Colorado’s Alan Gionet, a resident in the foothills, has been emcee of the event since its early days and hosted the event Wednesday morning.