PHOTOS: Hot Air Balloons liftoff over Erie during the Erie Balloon Festival

By Stephen Swofford July 11, 2026 | updated 1 hour ago

Balloons float out into Erie during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

A shadow is reflected on the side of a hot air balloon in the early morning light as crews work to inflate their balloons during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Balloons float away in the morning light through Erie during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

A crowd watches from the road as balloons prepare for liftoff in a field near Erie high school during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Balloons prepare for liftoff in a field near Erie High School during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

A balloon flies in the early morning light near Longs Peak during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

A hot air balloon floats past the crowd as they watch the mass ascension from a field near Erie High School during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

A tethered balloon takes guests up to watch as other hot air balloons prepare for liftoff during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Two balloons float by a tethered hot air balloon during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

A hot air balloon shaped like a crab floats over the crowd in a field near Erie High School during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

A hot air balloon floats past another balloon shaped like a crab during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Crews work to get hot air balloons into the air at sunrise during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

A balloon shaped like a crab prepares for liftoff during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Laura Cole, from Colorado Springs, works to help inflate her hot air balloon during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

A tethered balloon lifts into the air above a field near Erie High School during the Erie Balloon Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

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Stephen Swofford

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