Historic Bishop Castle in Colorado endures ‘Aspen Acres’ fire threat
CUSTER COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Bishop Castle, a beloved Colorado landmark in Custer County, remains standing after a recent wildfire threatened the structure. The fire reportedly advanced within 200 yards of the castle.
→ All updates, latest evacuation orders and continuous coverage on the Aspen Acres wildfire
Evacuation orders were issued for Custer County as the fire spread, leading Daniel Bishop (son of the castle's original builder, Jim Bishop) and his wife, Sage Bishop, to watch the events unfold from afar.
Construction on the castle began in 1969, and it has since become a staple of the community. It's free to visit.
Daniel had fallen off a structure near the castle, requiring physical therapy. This injury prevented him from being on site with his own fire truck to protect the property. “If I hadn't gotten hurt, I would have been there,” Daniel said.
Daniel has a deep personal connection to the structure, saying, “There is no Bishop family without Castle.”
Daniel initially feared the castle had been destroyed after a camera positioned near it lost signal during the fires.
Social media platforms quickly filled with messages from people expressing their hope that the castle would survive. “It's very heartwarming to watch people feeling devastated by the idea that something that belongs to me would be lost,” Daniel said.
Daniel reflected on his father's original vision for the castle and the overwhelming support from the public. “The only regret I have is that he can't be here to see it. I don't I don't know if he realizes what he built actually became the dream that if he were here today, he'd be overwhelmed by the support,” Daniel said while fighting back tears.
Sage, Daniel's wife and the castle's co-caretaker, agreed that the public's affection for the castle contributes to its enduring presence. “The fact that the people love it so much and the, the ideals and the spiritual reasons behind why it exists is part of why it's still standing today. There's a goodness there. And I think that that goodness just prevails,” Sage said.
Bishop Castle is accepting donations from the public. You can donate here.
Additional donations can be made here.
You can also send donations to: 1529 Claremont Ave. Pueblo, CO 81004
An additional message from the Bishop family:
If you’re unable to donate, sharing this info is another meaningful way to help. Please keep Daniel, the Bishop family, Bishop Castle, and the firefighters working to protect it in your thoughts. Every act of kindness makes a difference.
Additionally, we have our Newborn Heart Surgery charity. If you would like your donation to go toward that cause, please make a note specifying that you want it directed to the charity.
Stay up to date with the latest local news, sports, and investigations by downloading the KRDO13 app. Click here to download it from the Apple App Store. Android users can download it from Google Play here.
