Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t drive!

The Custer County Rotary Van Service needs your help.

A scenario: Your eldest child visited you on your 83rd birthday. Sure, you had a couple minor dustups in the car, but he says the family feels it is best for you and other drivers to take away your keys. The family does not live close to Custer County so how is he going to make his medical appointments or even get groceries?

The senior population of our county is not getting younger. Forty eight percent are over 60 and counting. Oldest County in Colorado and second oldest in the country. Federal Medicaid support for transportation is in real jeopardy, and all health care costs are going up. Our rural clinic and for-profit transportation services are heavily dependent on Medicare. The Vali Assisted Living has 70% of their residents who are on Medicare.

Who will be able to give affordable, necessary rides to seniors, veterans, accident victims, cancer or other medical treatments? Also to bring food from Care and Share to the homebound?

The Wet Mountain Rotary Van Service has been providing these services for over 20 years. It is an all volunteer organization. In July, our volunteers assisted fifty riders in getting to their destinations. With the aging population and loss of other transportation options, the demand will be much greater. Since Covid, grant support money is getting more difficult to acquire. The service has sufficient money for 2025 but without additional funding, it will not be able to continue in 2026. Insurance, fuel, vehicle maintenance, aging vehicles and operational costs will exceed our budget. Currently, we ask for a rider to pay $25.00 for rides to Salida, Canon City and Pueblo. Thirty five dollars for medical appointments in Colorado Springs and $10.00 for local trips. There are also sponsorships for those who cannot pay. For-profit transportation is $1.50/ mile now and, if even available, may be higher in the future.

We are seeking financial support from Custer County, Westcliffe, and Silver Cliff this August. How can you help? You can send letters of support, express the need to our government officials, donate, or sign up to be a driver.

You can email your letters of support to newcombmartin@gmail.com. Contact our dispatcher at 719-783-2343 for more information.

Please consider attending (in person or zoom) the Wednesday, Aug. 27th BOCC meeting.