Evergreen Lake Plunge Delayed but Back This Weekend

The annual chilly jump into near-freezing water is rescheduled due to lack of ice.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Evergreen Lake Plunge, a popular annual event featuring a jump into the icy waters of Evergreen Lake, has been rescheduled from its traditional New Year's Day date to this Sunday, March 1, due to a lack of sufficient ice cover on the lake earlier this year. The event is organized by the Active 4 All Evergreen Foundation as a fundraiser for local programs.

Why it matters

The Evergreen Lake Plunge is a beloved community tradition that draws hundreds of participants each year, raising money for important local initiatives. The delay due to warm weather highlights the impact of climate change on winter activities and the need for communities to adapt.

The details

The plunge was originally scheduled for New Year's Day but had to be postponed because the ice on Evergreen Lake was not thick enough to support the crowd. The Active 4 All Evergreen Foundation, which runs the event, has set a new date of March 1 at 10 a.m. for the jump into the near-freezing water through a hole cut in the ice. Around 100 jumpers have already signed up, and the organization expects more to join.

  • The Evergreen Lake Plunge is typically held on New Year's Day.
  • This year, the event had to be postponed due to lack of sufficient ice cover on Evergreen Lake.
  • The rescheduled Evergreen Lake Plunge will take place this Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 10 a.m.

The players

Active 4 All Evergreen Foundation

The organization that runs the Evergreen Lake Plunge as a fundraiser for local programs.

Alan Gionet

A board member of the Active 4 All Evergreen Foundation and the annual emcee of the Evergreen Lake Plunge event.

Evergreen Fire Rescue

The fire department that will be on standby to assist any jumpers who may need help during the Evergreen Lake Plunge.

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What they’re saying

“It's just like a leap year, except we don't have a leap year this year. So we made one up.”

— Alan Gionet, Board member, Active 4 All Evergreen Foundation (CBS Colorado)

“Now they call it immersion therapy. We've had this figured out for a long time. It's awesome.”

— Alan Gionet, Board member, Active 4 All Evergreen Foundation (CBS Colorado)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The delay of the Evergreen Lake Plunge due to warm weather highlights the impact of climate change on winter activities and the need for communities to adapt. However, the resilience of the Evergreen community in rescheduling the event and the enthusiasm of the participants demonstrate the enduring appeal of this beloved tradition.