Safe Ride

Safe Ride of Gunnison County Inc. (dba Safe Ride) is a Colorado nonprofit organization founded in 1994. Safe Ride receives funding from the City of Gunnison and the City Municipal Court through surcharges from convictions for alcohol-related offenses and from local businesses. Safe Ride also receives crucial funding from the Student Government Association (SGA) of Western Colorado University. To all of our supporters, we say, “Thank you!” Safe Ride continues to provide more than 15,000 free rides per year in the Gunnison area as we work toward preventing impaired driving in our community.

The most unique part of the Safe Ride program is its setting, which has made it so successful. Gunnison is a small, rural town of about 6,000 residents. It is home to Western Colorado University, a public institution of about 2,900 students that is the highest-elevation four-year university campus in the United States.

Though Gunnison is a small town approximately 200 miles from Denver, it offers a surprising diversity of people and a rich history grounded in ranching and mining. Western reflects this diversity, drawing many students from all over the country to its three most popular areas of study: business, art, and outdoor recreation.

Because of Safe Ride’s ties to the community, we can offer a non-judgmental “No Questions Asked” service. Customers can ride to their intended destination without fear of being questioned by police or criticized for their drinking behavior. Safe Ride is subject to the same traffic laws as any other vehicle on the road. The driver may call the police if they feel that either their safety or that of a passenger is threatened by another rider.

Above all else, it is important to keep Safe Ride’s services free to the public to maintain the positive effects it has had on reducing the DUI rate in the Gunnison community.

Please note, for everyone’s safety, dogs and bikes are not allowed on the van. Any valuables left in the van are turned in to the Gunnison Police Department, located at 910 Bidwell Ave., or you may contact them. And, remember, it’s OK to tip your drivers, as they are working hard to ensure a “safe ride” home.

Safe Ride is supported entirely by donations, in-kind gifts, Western support, grant funding, and local government and business support. For many years, it has effectively operated on a shoestring budget. However, local support for the Safe Ride program has waned, and it has become increasingly difficult to make ends meet. Safe Ride is constantly seeking new community sources of financial support to stay in operation.

Sign up for City Market Community (Value Card) Rewards. This is an opportunity to support Safe Ride whenever you shop at City Market. Visit citymarket.com, click “Community”, and enroll in the City Market Community Rewards program. Once enrolled, go to Find Your Organization, enter Safe Ride, and select Safe Ride of Gunnison County Inc. Then, every time you shop at City Market and use your City Market Value Card, you will support Safe Ride through the City Market Community (Value Card) Rewards program. City Market will donate quarterly to Safe Ride based on the percentage of purchases made. Your support of Safe Ride will make a big difference and assist in its continued operation.