ALAMOSA — From May 15-18, bike riders will ride across Colorado during National Police Week as part of TOUR De SHIELD616. The four-day, 237-mile bike ride is organized by SHIELD616, a Colorado nonprofit that strengthens ties between first responders and communities by donating rifle-rated armor to agencies statewide.
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ALAMOSA — From May 15-18, bike riders will ride across Colorado during National Police Week as part of TOUR De SHIELD616. The four-day, 237-mile bike ride is organized by SHIELD616, a Colorado nonprofit that strengthens ties between first responders and communities by donating rifle-rated armor to agencies statewide.
Tim Dellett, Co-Responder with the Alamosa Police Department, will join 25 other cyclists, representing 9 agencies from across Colorado. The ride starts in Colorado Springs and ends in Fort Collins at the Angel Armor headquarters, which manufactures the all-day, rifle-rated armor. While there, riders will also have the opportunity to tour Angel Armor.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to serve my community and communities across the state of Colorado in this larger effort to address public safety,” says Dellett, now in his third year on the ride. “What we’re doing here is really part of a much larger effort across the country.”
“It’s important to have rifle-ready armor due to the increase in violence against law enforcement nationwide,” says APD Chief George Dingfelder. “Just recently, basically in our own backyard, we saw three Pueblo police officers who were shot with an AR15. This hits close to home for all officers knowing that their next call could be what the Pueblo officers experienced.
“No community is immune to criminals’ intent on violence,” Dingfelder continued, “and we see these scenarios play out over and over - unfortunately, almost daily where some nut with a rifle is intent on causing harm to our communities.
“Organizations like Shield 616 are helping law enforcement, especially small and rural agencies, level the playing field by providing us with the tools necessary to respond and address these threats.”
The 2023 and 2024 SHIELD616 rides supported the Alamosa Police Department and the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Department, resulting in the donation of 27 vests in 2023 and 21 vests in 2024.
“The ride provides me a unique first-hand view of the impact SHIELD616 has,” adds Dellett. “There’s a lot that can come from joining together for the common good.”
People can donate by going online at https://shield616.org/2025-tour-de-shield616-colorado-ride-2.
Questions and additional information can be found by contacting 719-345-2442 or info@shield616.org.