It’s been a long, difficult year for those in the arts community, their friends and families. As many of you know, Gerry Riggs (former Director of the Gallery of Contemporary Art at UCCS), local artist Timber Kerwin and, now, Jason Zacharias (pictured above) of OpticalReverb Art Hub have all recently taken their own lives.

We at KRCC wish to offer not only our condolences to all of their friends and families, but also to encourage anyone affected by these losses or having similar thoughts of suicide to seek help. As Bettina Swigger, Direcor of the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region, pointed out in this memorial blog post, there are many resources including the Suicide Prevention Network of the Pikes Peak Region, which you can call at: (719) 596-LIFE.

As Andrea Chalfin reported in May, El Paso County has one of the highest suicide rates in the country with an estimated 100 suicides per year. If nothing else, we all have a responsibility to watch for the signs in ourselves and others.

There will be a memorial service for Jason Zacharias this morning at 10 a.m. at the Community Congregational Church in Manitou, 103 Pawnee Ave in Manitou Springs. Donations to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region may be made HERE.

For those wishing to leave a memorial note for Jason and his family, you can do so on Facebook HERE.