Rural Colorado firefighters save 30 dogs from hunting club blaze

Volunteer crews from four departments worked together to rescue the animals and prevent further damage.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fire broke out at a hunting dog kennel in Calhan, Colorado on January 29, burning the structure to the ground. However, quick action by volunteer firefighters from the Calhan, Simla, Elbert, and Peyton departments saved the lives of 30 dogs and prevented further damage to the Rocky Mountain Roosters hunting club facilities.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the importance of rural volunteer fire departments and their ability to respond rapidly and work together to protect their communities, even in remote areas. The successful rescue operation also saved the dogs, which were critical assets for the longtime hunting club.

The details

The fire broke out at the hunting dog kennel, destroying the structure. But the volunteer firefighters were able to rescue all 30 dogs from the blaze. They also prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the Rocky Mountain Roosters facilities, which have been in operation for over 40 years.

  • The fire occurred on January 29, 2026.
  • A GoFundMe was started 6 days ago to raise money for the fire departments involved.

The players

Calhan Fire Department

A volunteer fire department that responded to the blaze.

Simla Fire Department

A volunteer fire department that responded to the blaze.

Elbert Fire Department

A volunteer fire department that responded to the blaze.

Peyton Fire Department

A volunteer fire department that responded to the blaze.

Rocky Mountain Roosters

A bird hunting operation that has been around for more than 40 years and owns the property where the fire occurred.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Thanks to their valiant efforts, we live to hunt another day!”

— Rocky Mountain Roosters (Rocky Mountain Roosters statement)

What’s next

The GoFundMe campaign to support the fire departments involved in the rescue operation will remain open for additional donations.

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the critical role that volunteer fire departments play in protecting rural communities, even in the face of major emergencies. The successful rescue operation saved the lives of 30 dogs and preserved an important local business, highlighting the value of these departments and the need to support them.