Incline fundraising effort seeks to benefit from holiday giving

Fundraisers hope to capitalize on givers’ generous holiday spirit as they raise money to help pay for repairs on the popular Manitou Incline.

In addition to ongoing fund-raising efforts, the group Incline Friends is taking part in the Indy Give program sponsored by the Colorado Springs Independent. The program solicits donations in November and December when many people seek tax write-offs for charitable giving.

Steve Bremner, the president of Incline Friends, said the group has a goal of raising $50,000 during the two-month period, and that donors have given $5,000 so far.

The two-year fundraising effort overall has raised $35,000 so far. Bremner said the group wants to raise $200,000 to qualify for matching grants from trail organizations and be able to start repairs next year.

Bremner said the Incline needs $1 million in repairs from recent flash flooding and years of neglect. He also wants Incline users to take advantage of a donation tube at the base of the Incline.

“Around 350,000 people use the Incline every year,” Bremner said. “If every one of those people put a dollar in the tube, we’d reach our goal easily. But a lot of people are used to the the idea of the Incline being free. It costs to maintain it.”

Bremner said members of the group have been at the Incline every weekend, handing out hot chocolate and talking with visitors about the need for donations.

If you’d like to help, visit the KRDO.com webpage, click on “Hot Button,” then click on “Incline Friends.”

You also can go the website indygive.com to make a donation.