April 24, 2026

Dear Friends of Restoration Ranch Colorado,

Five years ago this week, something extraordinary was born when I attended roll calls at the Lakewood, Colorado Police Department.

My husband, Chris, had been killed four months earlier when robbers fleeing the Ulta Beauty store in Belmar Commons slammed into his car at 1st and Harlan. The kindness and compassion exhibited by the Lakewood PD and other first responder agencies that day and in the weeks and months to come forever changed my life.

In early April of 2021, I contacted Lakewood PD command staff and asked if I could bring food from Chris’ favorite restaurants to share at roll calls on what would have been a milestone birthday for Chris on April 26th. They said yes.

When I sat in the first roll call, I had no idea the day before a 14-year-old boy had violently stabbed his mother more than 30 times. I remember sitting in shocked silence listening to details from the agent first on scene and wondering “Why is he at work?”.

When I asked that question, it was explained to me that he did not want to be at home ruminating on events, that he might not want or need mental health counseling at that time, and there was no other place for him to go.

That struck me as fundamentally wrong on so many levels, I decided at that moment I could and would do something. As I learned what it is to be a first responder and how difficult, demanding, and dangerous the work is, I was appalled by my ignorance and the ignorance of most community members.

I was inspired to create a place for first responders and their families to rest, relax, and recharge. I called it Restoration Ranch Colorado, formed a nonprofit, and used an inheritance from my father who died three months after my husband to purchase a 40-acre ranch in Golden Gate Canyon for this purpose.

It was my way of acknowledging the ongoing service and sacrifice and saying thank you to the first responders who serve the citizens of Lakewood.

Over the years more than 1,000 first responders and their families from all over Colorado and a handful of other states visited the Ranch. Your generous donations allowed us to provide respite opportunities and to show unmatched support for the health and wellness of first responders and their families.

Sadly, we do not have the financial support needed to continue and our board voted to close Restoration Ranch Colorado effective May 31, 2026. Recurring donations made through Colorado Gives will cease May 31st and statements for donations made to Restoration Ranch Colorado in 2026 will be sent in June of 2026.

We could not have accomplished all that we did without your support. Thank you on behalf of Restoration Ranch Colorado and all the brave men and women we have had the pleasure to meet when they came to stay or to attend an event at the Ranch.

May God bless you and keep you.

With love and gratitude,

Kathryn Severns Avery and the Board and Staff of Restoration Ranch Colorado