Inlet Bay Marina Poker Run Raises $6,500 for Poudre Fire Authority Equipment
Poudre Fire Authority volunteer firefighters will receive new personal protective equipment and a Lower Explosive Limit monitor thanks to a $6,500 donation from Inlet Bay Marina's Annual Poker Run event at Horsetooth Reservoir.
The marina has organized the fundraising event for more than a decade, with proceeds supporting volunteer firefighters who serve the Horsetooth area. This year's donation will fund critical safety equipment including personal protective equipment and an LEL monitor, which detects dangerous concentrations of flammable gases that could pose explosion risks during emergency responses.
Members of Poudre Fire Authority visited the marina on September 26 to accept the donation. The equipment purchase continues a pattern of community investment in emergency services, with previous Poker Run proceeds funding an all-terrain vehicle and automated external defibrillator for the volunteer program.
According to data from Rider Justice, which sponsors the event, Inlet Bay Marina's Poker Run has raised more than $26,000 over multiple years for Poudre Fire Authority Station 9 and the Larimer County Dive Rescue Team. The funds have enhanced lake safety capabilities and emergency equipment for responders serving the Horsetooth Reservoir area.
The Lower Explosive Limit monitor represents particularly important safety equipment for firefighters. LEL monitors measure concentrations of flammable gases or vapors in the air and provide real-time alerts when combustible materials approach levels that could support explosion or fire. The devices protect both firefighters and the public by enabling crews to identify hazardous atmospheres during gas leaks, structure fires, and hazardous materials incidents.
Poudre Fire Authority operates 36 volunteer positions integrated with 207 career firefighters across a service area covering approximately 235 square miles of Larimer and Weld Counties. The agency serves Fort Collins, Timnath, and communities including Laporte, Bellvue, and Horsetooth through 13 fire stations.
The marina's fundraising event follows a poker run format where participants travel to various dock stations collecting playing cards, with completed hands competing for prizes. The 2025 event was scheduled for August 2 and featured raffles, music, and safety demonstrations alongside the fundraising activities.
Poudre Fire Authority noted that Bob, a leader in organizing the Poker Run, passed away shortly after this year's event. The organization expressed gratitude for his contributions to the annual fundraiser and its impact on emergency services equipment.
The volunteer firefighter program supplements PFA's career staff by providing additional personnel for specialized functions including wildland firefighting and community risk reduction. Volunteers train alongside career firefighters and follow identical operational protocols to ensure coordinated emergency response throughout the agency's jurisdiction.