The Cañon City Police Department extends its sincere appreciation to Fremont County residents Rusty and Lorie Ahart for their generosity.

The Aharts recently made a significant donation to the Back the Blue Foundation, a nonprofit that supports law enforcement K9 programs. Because of their gift, CCPD K9 Ares will receive a custom, top‑of‑the‑line STORM protective/tactical vest, ensuring he is better protected while serving our community.

Rusty shared that his father always taught him, “When you receive a windfall, pay some of it forward,” and that is exactly what he and Lorie chose to do.

After reading a newspaper article about Back the Blue late last year, they discussed how they could support the CCPD K9 Unit and decided they wanted to “do some good.”

Rusty and Lorie have always loved dogs. They previously operated the White Dog Ranch near what is now Pathfinder Park, where they raised white Labrador Retrievers. Rusty said dogs have been “a wonderful part of our lives,” noting that he often wears a hat that reads, “I like dogs and 3 people!”

K9 Ares’ handler, Officer Modlin, expressed his gratitude, saying he is “so glad his four‑legged partner will be better protected because of this wonderful donation.”  Rusty added that he and Lorie are pleased to help keep Ares safe and hope their act of kindness inspires others to “do good for the community.”

The CCPD is deeply grateful to the Aharts for their generosity and commitment to the safety of our K9 team.

“Rusty and Lorie Ahart embody the spirit of service and generosity that makes this community special,” Chief Schick said. “Their willingness to ‘pay it forward’ ensures K9 Ares will be safer as he serves our residents. I am proud of their example, grateful for their kindness, and reminded once again how fortunate we are to have community members who step forward to do good.”

For those interested in supporting the CCPD K9 Unit, contact K9 Officers Modlin or Holbrook, or email Kathy Herrin, CCPD Community Engagement Coordinator at kkherrin@canoncity.org.

The annual Victor Gem & Mineral Show presented by the Southern Teller County Focus Group in Victor will be held June 19-21. The event offers a unique way to spend Father’s Day weekend in the cool and sunny mountain air. Bring Dad to Victor, find a pet rock, learn to pan for gold, and take in some free live music. The show will be held in downtown historic Victor and is open and free to the public.

The show will include vendors selling polished gems, hand-crafted jewelry, rough slabs, specimens, cabochons, geodes, turquoise, and more. There will also be gold and gem panning at the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum. Show hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday night, June 20, the City of Victor will sponsor free live music on the Pinnacle Park Plaza stage. Come enjoy a cold drink and take in the concert, shop for gems and jewelry, and relax in the mountain air. This is the first in a series of summer concerts hosted by the city. Concerts are free and are scheduled for several Saturday nights through August.

Victor Main Street will host a kids’ pet rock event, and check out specials at local businesses.

In addition, the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum hosts gold panning for kids of all ages. The museum also houses a mineral collection, as well as historic mining equipment displays, photos, and displays in the old hotel rooms on the upper floor. See VictorMuseum.com for information.

Victor’s many shops and attractions will also be open, including Victor’s Gold Camp Ag & Mining Museum, antique, art, and gift shops, the Gold Camp Bakery, the local bars and eateries, as well as the local parks and Trails of Gold, where you can explore the outdoors in historic gold mining country. The Victor Elks will be grilling on the lodge porch.

For more information on the STCFG or this event, visit STCFG.com, email info@stcfg.com, or call 719-689-5509.