It all started with a conversation between a couple of firefighters and grew into an idea shared within the community of first responders that serve Routt County.

This month, the recently formed Routt First Responders Foundation will host hockey and golf tournaments, with the hope of raising the money needed to support one another in times of need, inspire future first responders with scholarships and make connections with the communities where they work, live and serve.

“We felt like there was a need here,” said Devin Borvansky, a lieutenant with Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue and president of the Routt County First Responders Foundation. “What really started the foundation was when we lost the sheriff’s officer, a year ago, and we saw what was happening with his family, and we felt like there wasn’t an organization able to step in and really help his family through the grieving process, and even financially.”

The Routt First Responders Foundation’s mission is to assist those who serve our community including firefighters, police, sheriff, ski patrol, search and rescue, dispatchers and future first responders.

The foundation is led by a board that includes: Borvansky, president; Nick Fernandez vice president; Louis Gutschenritter, secretary; Josh Carrell, treasurer, and at-large members Chuck Cerasoli, Tony Gonzalez and Rich Brown. 

“We wanted to get something established where we could start to give back to our brethren who have had severe tragedies in their life,” Borvansky said.

Borvansky said the First Responders Foundation will establish a Remembrance Scholarship as a tribute to fallen heroes to carry on a tradition that was established with the longstanding Rusty Chandler and Dave Linner Scholarships programs. He said the new scholarship will also honor those that the community has lost in more recent years and will be supported with community fundraising events.

The Remembrance Scholarship will be available to young individuals graduating from Routt County high schools interested in pursuing careers in public service. The Routt First Responders Foundation will be responsible for raising and managing funds for this scholarship with the help of the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, with a scholarship committee overseeing its distribution.

In addition to the aforementioned tournaments, the foundation plans to host other community events in Steamboat Springs, partnering with local businesses to raise funds and strengthen community ties. These events will foster awareness and assistance for the Foundation’s mission while bringing in needed funds and bringing area residents together in meaningful ways.

That core mission is to prioritize the well-being of the community’s first responders by providing resources to enhance workplace wellness, helping in times of need and providing aid to the families of first responders in the event of a tragedy.

Borvansky is hoping The Routt First Responders Foundation’s Adult ABC Tournament, which will take place Sept. 21 at Howelsen Hill Ice Arena, will kick off the organization’s fund-raising efforts. This is the second year of the tournament.

Those interested in participating can have team captains sign up the team with 15 players and a goalie or join a waitlist as an individual by Sept. 13 by emailing rfrfhockey@gmail.com with rosters and sign-up inquiries. Cost to participate is $75 per player (all players must be 18 years or older) or $1,125 for a team with a three-game guarantee.

That event will be followed by the Fire In The Hole golf tournament on Sept. 24 at the Haymaker Golf course. Teams can register at rfrfgolf.com, as a foursome, twosome or individual.

All proceeds from both events go toward Routt First Responders Foundation.