Pueblo-born country musician comes home to play benefit concert for people harmed by ‘Aspen Acres’ fire
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - Amid Friday's sweltering heat, Consentino Field at the Runyon Sports Complex was being turned into a concert venue.
The concert is part of a benefit for those affected by the "Aspen Acres" fire.
"It's been a terrible thing to see, but hopefully this benefit concert will bring some joy, [and] bring in a ton of money to help those that have been affected by it," country music singer Cody Cozz told KRDO13 ahead of sound check.
Cozz, a Pueblo native, says he was in Louisiana when the "Aspen Acres" fire broke out.
"Seeing the footage, [from] some of my friends that live up in those areas, it was devastating," Cozz said.
Now, more than a month later, Cozz is here to give back by holding a benefit concert with the proceeds going towards "Aspen Acres" fire relief. Colton James, another local, Colorado Springs-based country artist, was the opener.
"I'm doing something pretty easy in my life to be able to just go sing songs, and I don't ever forget that either. So the opportunities to be able to give back, I want to do as many as I can," Cozz said.
"Being displaced, and, you know, our whole entire community being displaced is--it's been overwhelming," Suzanne Samuelson said.
Samuelson was one of many in the crowd Friday night, and one of thousands who were forced to evacuate when the "Aspen Acres" fire came to their front door.
"We're always there for each other when in a time of need, and this was quite the time of need," Samuelson said.
"When the going gets tough, the Pueblo community in southern Colorado rallies," Cozz said.
At the time of writing, no official total for the amount of money raised at the benefit concert is available. Tickets were $20 a piece, and based on firsthand experience, there was more than a handful of people at the concert.
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