Come to the Star Pony Fundraiser at Lariat Lodge January 23rd

Star Pony Fundraiser

Every once in a while, if you’re fortunate, you get the chance to support someone who does so much good in the world you can’t help but smile every time you see them. For us, it’s Jessica Austin, “Jess” for short.

Most folks know Jess as one of our talented front-of-the-house staff members. You can see her coming a mile away – sparkling eyes, huge genuine smile, and as warm and welcoming a person as you’re likely to meet. Talk to her a little bit and you’d be astonished at her story.

She has a huge heart, and is an animal lover to her core. She has rescued three horses — Kola, Zoe, and Courage — who had been through the wringer, yet under her loving hand they’ve come to trust again. A trip to her house at Broce Ranch usually means saying hello to the neighbors’ dogs, who gravitate to her home to rest and play during the day. With people, she’s no different. A friend describes her this way: “Her door is always revolving with people stopping by to talk to her, get horse advice or relax. She opens her door to all . . . She’s the type of person that would put herself in debt to give to someone else in need or to save an animal.”

She has a positive outlook on life that’s infectious. It sometimes seems amazing that someone could be so upbeat . . . especially when you learn what she’s been through.

Jess moved to Evergreen in spring of 2010. Between the fall of that year and May of 2015, she seemed locked in one medical battle after another. What began with the discovery of masses attacking her kidney and ovary progressed into a frightening timeline of surgeries: A partial kidney removal, then another, then finally a complete removal. More masses led to a full hysterectomy, plus removal of lymph nodes, adrenal gland, and part of her stomach lining. After a surgery early this year, a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) nearly killed her. Her medical staff was astonished at her sense of humor and resilience, even in the face of these invasive procedures, and nicknamed her “Star Pony.”

Back to work in this year with $12.34 in her pocket, it looked like the worst was behind her. This fall, she has been diagnosed with a form of breast cancer — HER2+/estrogen negative/progesterone positive — that has mystified and intimidated even her doctors. She will soon undergo double mastectomy surgery in an effort to save her life yet again. The costs above and beyond insurance will be substantial, and we’d like to help Jess focus only on her healing.

That’s where you can help. Join us for:

Star Pony Fundraiser
January 23, 2016 at Lariat Lodge Brewing
27618 Fireweed Drive, Evergreen CO 80439

11am to 11pm

This will be an all-day music event with local musicians donating their talents (including Open Space, Subject2Change, Johnny Turner, and the Omnibuds as of this writing), fantastic barbecue from Chef Michael, a silent auction, and the chance to rally behind “one of the good ones ” — someone who has given of herself over and over again. She needs us now. Won’t you join us in supporting this amazing woman?

More details will be announced as they become available. To donate items for the silent auction, please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thanks, Everyone!

You can also donate here . At this moment of posting, $8,825 of the $10,000 goal has been raised by 73 donors. Let's surpass that!

From Lariat Lodge Brewing Co. :

We have an amazing musical lineup joining us for the all-day Star Pony Fundraiser on Saturday January 23rd, 11:00am-11:00pm. This is to benefit our own fabulous Jessica Austin, who's battling a rare form of breast cancer. It's all day, so stop on by for a beer or a meal, bid on a silent auction item, drop something in the donation jar, and know you're supporting "one of the good ones."