Run in Jack Raife's memory.

Tracy Altmaier, a family friend, had the incredibly kind and gracious idea to run her first FULL marathon in Jack's name. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month - in the very best way we could all imagine! Click for info on how to join the team.

Jack Holden Raife died at the early age of 18 on April 2nd, 2023, from taking his life. Jack was born on November 30th, 2004, in the town of Aspen, Colorado. He joined his family of three in Basalt: his sister and best friend Makena, his mother Kathy, and his father David. He was one of the brightest souls the world has ever known.

His love for fashion, airplanes, animals, and piano brought so much love and light into our worlds. He was a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and went about life with an unapologetic sparkle. After growing up in the Roaring Fork Valley, he spent time in Utah and Boulder, where he met many friends that loved him dearly. In 2022 Jack graduated from Telos Academy a semester early, where he then started an accelerated college career at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Jack had a beautiful and bright future and was the sweetest, kindest, most caring, and forgiving soul. He left a positive impact on every life he touched. Jack’s presence lit up every room he walked into, slaying and turning heads. Jack Raife will be deeply missed by his sister, family, and friends who he surrounded himself with. His witty and creative mind will forever be remembered, but his impact on the world is just beginning.

-Makena Raife

AspenOUT

Underwrote therapy for local LGBTQ+ youth – 500+ hours since 2021
Funds local GSA and PFLAG clubs
Supports and produces pride events and social gatherings
Gives grants to local, regional and national LBGTQ+ nonprofits – 22+ organizations
Gives Scholarships to area students – 6 to 12 each school year
Produces AGSW – the one and only!

AspenOUT is a fantastic organization leading the charge in the RFV. By working together, we can create a more supportive environment where mental health conversations are encouraged and young people feel empowered to seek help.

Youth Mental Health Support: AspenOUT works to make sure all LQBTQ+ youth in the Roaring Fork Valley (RFV), regardless of income and regardless of parental knowledge of their gender identity or sexual orientation, have access to a licensed, skilled, and compassionate therapist specifically trained in LGBTQ+ youth engagement. AspenOUT works with school counselors and administrators, local GSA and PFLAG clubs, and the local suicide prevention nonprofit, to apprise kids in need that they can obtain free, confidential counseling at a free or reduced rate.

Statistics on LGBTQ+ Mental Health and Suicide

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people are at significantly increased risk.
LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers (Johns et al., 2019; Johns et al., 2020).
The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds.
The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People found that 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth.

Run in Honor of Jack Raife - 2024 Denver Colfax Marathon

By AspenOUT

Run in Honor of Jack Raife - 2024 Denver Colfax Marathon

Support AspenOUT leading the charge with mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth and beyond.