Boulder’s icy dip warms hearts and raises funds

Every winter, some people jump into icy waters to raise money for good causes. In Boulder, hundreds chose to take a chilly leap last Saturday at the annual Polar Plunge. The event raises funds for Special Olympics Colorado, supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities. This year’s plunge happened during an unusually warm spring, making the water slightly less freezing than usual. The reservoir’s temperature reached 54. 4 degrees that Friday—warmer than the typical 42–47 degrees expected in late March.Participants included local police teams, families, and even a few costumed plungers. Broomfield Police raised over $6, 000, one of the top fundraising efforts. Sergeant Todd Dahlbach called it the warmest plunge he’d ever done, joking it felt more like a beach day than a polar challenge. Meanwhile, Catherine Darrow, a Special Olympics athlete herself, played the role of "Chill Captain, " encouraging others to push through the cold. By midday, the event had already brought in around $70, 000. Organizers emphasized that the real goal wasn’t just the dip—it was stepping outside comfort zones. Katie Margolis, who managed the Boulder plunge, highlighted how the event mirrors what athletes face daily. For many, five seconds in cold water is nothing compared to the daily challenges others overcome.