9-11 Memorial Stair Climb 2017

The Black Hawk 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was held on September 11th, 2017 at the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, which began in 2009. Hundreds came out to climb the stairs to honor those who were lost on September 11, 2001, including the 343 fallen firefighters, 60 police officers, 8 EMT’s and 3 state officers whose photos and names line the stairwells. Members of the Black Hawk Fire Department, Gilpin Ambulance Authority many other departments joined in from Colorado and beyond.

The stair climb is sponsored by the City of Black Hawk and hosted by the Ameristar, is supported by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control with its National Fire Academy Weekend.

The proceeds from the event will support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) who create and maintain programs that support fire service survivors. NFFF provides much needed assistance to the surviving families and co-workers of the firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11th, 2001.

The Black Hawk 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb has a unique added degree of difficulty. Unlike other climbs, participants will not only begin the challenge at 8,042 feet above sea level, but will also gain 192 feet of elevation, making the Black Hawk 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb the highest stair climb in the world.

Participants will climb a total of 116 floors in four laps in the Ameristar hotel tower, exceeding the total levels of the World Trade Center by six floors. Each lap takes participants to the Ameristar pool deck with majestic views of the area before descending back to ground level.

Info in the story courtesy of the City of Black Hawk.