Mapleton Elk Memorial Fund To contribute, visit any FirstBank branch and donate to the Mapleton Elk Memorial Fund.

The Boulder chapter of In Defense of Animals has raised $3,000 through a new a fund it launched to pay for the construction of a permanent memorial to the elk that was killed by a police officer on Mapleton Hill on Jan. 1.

Rita Anderson with In Defense of Animals said the organization started the fund with $1,500 and already has received a $1,500 pledge from a local business to create some sort of memorial to the elk.

Anderson said she is in discussions with the residents in the Mapleton Hill area, where the elk was shot, as to how exactly to memorialize the animal that some in the neighborhood referred to as their “guardian.”

Anderson said a bronze statue of an elk near where it was shot at Ninth Street and Mapleton Avenue would be fitting, though she said that would take a lot of money. She said the amount of money raised will be a factor in what type of memorial could be created, but she thought it was important something be put in motion.

“I think it would be a symbol of who we are and what is important to us,” she said. “The wildlife matters to us, the animals matter to us, this elk mattered to us.”

Former Boulder police officers Sam Carter, 35, and Brent Curnow, 38, were arrested earlier this month on nine charges — including three felonies — in connection with the shooting and disposing of the elk after investigators say texts between them revealed they planned the trophy kill in advance.

Both Carter and Curnow resigned after an internal investigation was launched by the Boulder Police Department.

The elk’s death caused a stir in the neighborhood it frequented, prompting roadside wreaths, candlelight vigils and even a song from residents. Anderson said she hopes a memorial would provide a way to remember the elk as well as bring closure to the community.

“Those are the people that are hurting the most,” she said. “These people lost a friend. Maybe this will help them get through this.”

Anyone who wishes to contribute can visit any FirstBank branch and donate to the Mapleton Elk Memorial Fund.