72 Treated, 7 Hospitalized for Heat Illness at Colorado Festival
More than 70 people were treated for heat-related illness at a Colorado Springs music and food festival over the weekend, with seven taken to local hospitals.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department and American Medical Response responded Saturday during the Tacos and Tequila Festival at UCHealth Park on Tutt Boulevard as temperatures hit 97 degrees, tying the daily record for Aug. 8. A Heat Advisory was in effect for the region at the time and remained active into Sunday.
Patient Count Rose After Initial Report
The fire department's initial release Saturday said 35 patients had been treated, with 10 transported to hospitals. CSFD spokeswoman Ashley Franco later corrected those figures, telling news outlets the updated total was 72 patients treated overall, with seven transported to area hospitals for serious symptoms.
Franco said the patients taken to hospitals showed signs consistent with dehydration, intoxication or a combination of both. The remaining patients were treated on scene and released without further care.
Because of the number of people affected, additional CSFD units and AMR ambulances were called in to help manage the response. Fire officials said crews remained on standby for the rest of the festival, which continued through Sunday.
Attendees Reported Water Shortages
Some festivalgoers said on social media that the event ran out of water at points during the day and that drinking fountains at the venue were not working properly, adding to the risk in the extreme heat.
Festival organizers addressed the incident afterward. "The health and safety of our guests is always a top priority," a spokesperson identified as Sanders said. The organizers said staff worked throughout the event encouraging attendees to stay hydrated and take breaks from the sun.
A Heat Advisory Ran Through the Weekend
The National Weather Service had a Heat Advisory posted for the Colorado Springs area through 8 p.m. Saturday, with a second advisory issued for Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Outdoor events held during active heat warnings carry added risk, particularly when attendees spend several hours outside without regular breaks.
The Colorado Springs Fire Department urged residents and visitors to watch for warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, including heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, confusion and a rapid pulse. Heat stroke, the department said, is a medical emergency that requires an immediate call to 911.
No additional details on the seven hospitalized patients, including their conditions, had been released as of this report.
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