Neil Hannum of Durango collided with a vehicle while riding his bicycle Sunday on U.S. Highway 550. He remains in intensive care at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood.
Neil Hannum of Durango collided with a vehicle while riding his bicycle Sunday on U.S. Highway 550. He remains in intensive care at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood.Courtesy photo

Neil Hannum, the cyclist injured in a crash on Sunday, remains in intensive care, but he received good news Tuesday. According to his wife, Kris, health officials said it will be a long haul but he should make a full recovery.

Hannum has a traumatic brain injury, but no surgery is needed, according to a text message sent to family friend Scott Kurlander from Kris Hannum on Tuesday. He should start therapy soon, though he’ll be kept in intensive care for at least three more days.

Hannum, 52, of Durango was riding his bicycle south on U.S. Highway 550 about noon on Sunday. According to the Colorado State Patrol, Hannum was in the left turn lane at the Trimble Lane intersection when he moved right into the center lane. There, the front of a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander collided with his bicycle.

Hannum was flown to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Lakewood.

“There’s still a lot of bleeding in the brain,” Kurlander said, reading the message.

The outpouring of support from the community, Kurland said, has been unreal.

A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $13,500 through 155 donations in about 24 hours. Kurlander said that will help the Hannums with deductibles and other expenses during his recovery.

“It’s really humbling to see how supportive the community is in every way,” he said. “And it’s not just the dollars they’re sending. People are providing all kinds of additional help and services.”

Hannum, regarded as an active member of the Durango community, is most widely recognized as the owner of The Chip Peddler, a local tortilla chip maker.

“It’s sad because you know this person, and you know all the good things they’ve done for the community and the lasting impact they have in our town,” Andrew Wracher, a friend of Hannum, said Monday. “And it’s sad to think someone like that is hurt.”

The driver of the SUV was identified as 16-year-old Kylie Kouyoumjian, also of Durango. A spokesman for the State Patrol did not have any information on whether citations would be issued in connection to the crash.

Entry fees to benefit cyclist

Neil Hannum has long been one of the biggest supporters of the Durango cycling community, and now it’s the cyclists’ turn to give back.
Wednesday night’s Star Wars Enduro competition, part of the Zia Town Series put together by Ska Brewing, Trek Mountain Bikes and Zia Taqueria, will be dedicated to Hannum. All proceeds from rider entry fees will go toward a fund for his medical costs.
Registration is open from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. at the Leyden Trailhead of Overend Mountain Park in Durango. The entry fee is $10, but riders are encouraged to donate more if they can.
Races will begin at 6:30 p.m., and athletes can sign up to compete in A or B categories, based on skill level.
Start order will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis.
The race is an enduro format, as competitors won’t be timed on the initial climb up Hidden Valley to the start line on top of the Star Wars downhill. Each contestant will get two chances to ride the downhill, and only their best time will count.
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To donate

Scott Kurlander, a close friend of the Hannum family, set up a fund for Neil Hannum. Donors can write a check payable to “Scott Kurlander For Benefit Of Neil Hannum” and take it to First National Bank of Durango.
The public also can donate to an online GoFundMe page at
https://www.gofundme.com/2bjrzq4
.