“We gather today not merely to remember how they died, but to honor how they lived."”

Regina Livingston

BLACK HAWK — It has be

A young firefighter in gear prepares to climb the stairs on September 11, 2026.

Photo by Mindy Leary

That was part of the message on Friday, September 11, 2026, during the 18th annual Black Hawk 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Ameristar Casino.

Organizers said about 175 people took part this year, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, veterans, casino employees, city and county staff, and community members.

The morning began outside on Richman Street with a ceremony, speeches, and a moment of silence before everyone headed inside to climb. A bagpipe played a ceremonial tune, leading folks across the street and into the stairwell.

A bell was rung for the 343 firefighters who died on September 11. Speakers also remembered the police officers, EMS personnel, military members, and civilians who died, as well as those who became sick and died in the years afterward.

Regina Livingston, with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, talked about remembering the people behind the numbers.

“We gather today not merely to remember how they died, but to honor how they lived,” Livingston said. “We remember the fathers and mothers, the sons and daughters, neighbors and strangers, and the first responders who walked through the smoke and dust and into stairwells they would never walk out of.”

Livingston said the tragedy brought out the best in people.

“Out of immense heartbreak came unmatched strength,” she said. “There was no black or white, no red or blue, just people helping people.”

Black Hawk Fire Lieutenant Chris Williams talked about passing on intergenerational knowledge.

"There are firefighters serving today who were children on September 11, 2001," Williams said. 

That leaves the ones who do remember it with an important job.

"Those of us who remember that morning have the responsibility to tell the story," Williams said. "And those of us who weren't have the responsibility to carry it forward."

For today's younger generation, 9/11 is history, not a memory. They didn't watch the towers fall on television or experience what happened in the days and weeks afterward.

Mayor David Spellman said Black Hawk plans to keep recognizing the day.

"It is important going forward that a day like this continues to be recognized, and in the city of Black Hawk, we will continue to do just that," Spellman said.

Then it was time to climb. Participants made four trips to the 34th floor and back. It wasn't a race, and no one had to finish all four laps.

"We climb because they climbed," Williams said.

The Black Hawk climb started in 2009 with just a few members of Black Hawk Fire and Gilpin Ambulance Authority. Eighteen years later, departments and organizations from around the area take part.

Greeley led the climb this year after the recent death of a department member. Aurora followed, then Central City Fire, Timberline Fire, Clear Creek Veterans, and Gilpin County. Casino employees and other participants joined in, too.

Black Hawk's climb isn't an easy one. It starts at 8,042 feet above sea level and gains another 192 feet. Four laps add up to 116 floors, six more than the World Trade Center's 110 floors.

A poignant moment to beholdA participant touches one of the memorial photos lining the Ameristar stairwell before continuing a round of the climb.

Photo by Mindy Leary

Some people climbed in workout clothes. Others wore uniforms, group T-shirts, or full firefighting equipment.

A few new things were added this year, too. For the first time, the City of Black Hawk livestreamed the ceremony on YouTube.

Black Hawk Public Information Officer Valerie Ryan said next year's event could look a little different.

She talked about possibly adding an outdoor hiking component while keeping the stair climb. Ryan said the new Bates Hill Trailhead and Liberty Gazebo could become part of the event.

Ameristar sponsors the event and provides the space, shirts, staff, and food. Because of that support, registration money goes to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which provides programs for families and coworkers of fallen firefighters.

Afterward, people gathered at the Richman Beer Garden for a taco bar lunch provided by Ameristar.

A bagpiper leads participants through Black Hawk during the 18th annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb.

Photo by Mindy Leary

A quarter of a century is a long time. Children who weren't alive on September 11 are now adults, and some are becoming first responders themselves. 

For the people who do remember that morning, keeping the story alive is becoming part of "never forget."