The registration table was scattered with badges, each one with the face of someone who lost their life on Sept. 11, 2001. As the American flag flapped in the wind, attached to two fire truck ladders, more than 2,000 firefighters, paramedics and civilians readied to climb 110 flights of stairs at Red Rocks Amphitheater — a memorial to the 110 stories climbed by firefighters 16 years ago at the World Trade Center.

“We all remember 9/11 — where you were at, what you were doing, how you felt,” said Laurelyn Norberry, 32, a volunteer firefighter with Evergreen Fire and Rescue. “So this is our chance to remember, pay respects and do something to honor those who have fallen.”

The ninth annual Colorado 9/11 Stair Climb drew climbers from 60 fire departments and 16 states.
The Stair Climb benefits the FDNY Counseling Services Unit and the programs provided by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support the families of our nation's fallen.

As tribute, many firefighters climbed in full bunker gear.

“It's just the culture,” said Lt. Brenden Finnegan with West Metro Fire. “It shows respect to the firefighters who work in NYC and lost their lives that day.”

Finnegan has been participating in the event since it began.

“It's a great experience to come and be with all your friends and family crew members and remember 9/11,” he said. “Some of us lost friends in the towers — both firefighters and civilians. It's just a good experience to be part of.”