9NEWS telethon raises $195,000 for Rocky Mountain Honor Flight

The funds will help send Colorado veterans on a trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:37pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of blurred figures in warm, hazy light, conceptually representing the meaningful connections and tributes shared during the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight telethon.The heartfelt community support for Colorado's veterans shines through in the emotional scenes captured during the 9NEWS telethon for Rocky Mountain Honor Flight.Denver Today

A 9NEWS telethon raised an impressive $195,000 to support Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization that offers Colorado veterans the opportunity to visit war memorials and other sites in Washington, D.C. The funds will help cover the costs of these all-expenses-paid trips, which allow veterans to connect with their fellow service members and receive recognition for their sacrifice.

Why it matters

Rocky Mountain Honor Flight plays a vital role in honoring Colorado's veteran community, many of whom are World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans. With fewer than 500,000 WWII veterans still alive, these trips provide a meaningful way to celebrate their service before it's too late.

The details

Each three-day, two-night trip to Washington, D.C. costs $70,000 to organize, covering transportation, accommodations, and medical staff. To date, Rocky Mountain Honor Flight has taken over 1,350 veterans on these trips. The 9NEWS telethon will help fund additional flights, with all donations being tax-deductible.

  • The first Rocky Mountain Honor Flight took place in 2008.
  • Since then, the organization has made more than 45 trips with over 1,000 veterans.
  • The 9NEWS telethon was held last week and raised $195,000.

The players

Rocky Mountain Honor Flight

A nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that offers all-expenses-paid trips for Colorado veterans to visit war memorials and other sites in Washington, D.C.

9NEWS

A local news station in Denver, Colorado, that hosted a telethon to raise funds for Rocky Mountain Honor Flight.

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What’s next

Rocky Mountain Honor Flight will use the $195,000 raised during the 9NEWS telethon to organize additional trips for Colorado veterans to visit Washington, D.C.

The takeaway

The success of the 9NEWS telethon highlights the strong community support for honoring Colorado's veteran population and the important work of organizations like Rocky Mountain Honor Flight in providing these meaningful experiences for those who have served.