Scott Appelman, co-producer of the Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off hot air balloon festival, has died, according to a news release Thursday.

Appelman, 66, was the founder and president of Rainbow Ryders and managing partner of Hot Apple Productions, which together with the Colorado Springs Sports Corp., put on the annual Labor Day weekend festival at Memorial Park.

“Scott’s untimely death has left a profound void in our community, as we remember a man whose passion and dedication to the art of hot air ballooning brought joy and inspiration to countless lives,” the release from the Sports Corp. stated.

No date or cause of death was made available.

Appelman founded Rainbow Ryders in 1983, which grew into one of the leaders in hot air balloon industry.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade issued a statement mourning the loss of Appelman, saying that, “Colorado Springs lost one of the great explorers and pioneers of our modern age.”

“Scott was a giant in the ballooning world, having operated his business for more than 40 years in the greatest ballooning cities in the world, including Albuquerque, Phoenix, and Colorado Springs,” the Mobolade statement read.

“His commitment to ballooning was so much more than a hobby or a business – it was a passion and a way of life, and more importantly – a way to give life to so many people.”

The balloon festival is heading into its 48th year. The three-day event draws around 200,000 spectators and 70 balloons, according to officials. Last year, nearly 250 drones were added to the show.

“We wanted to bring this (drone) show to the community to step up the (balloon festival) to another level,” Appelman said last year.

The Lift Off is a boon to Colorado Springs tourism — a study of the 2022 festival estimated the economic impact at $20 million, said Megan Leatham, president and CEO of the Sports Corp.

The festival is also vital to local quality of life, she said in previous Gazette reporting. Many residents plan their Labor Day weekend around the morning flights and evening glow shows.

“A lot of people don’t want to leave the city during Labor Day weekend because they want to stay here for the Lift Off,” Leatham said.

Appelman’s involvement with the Lift Off began in 2015, according to the event’s Facebook page.

“Scott was more than a leader; he was a beloved mentor, colleague, and friend, known for his wit, generosity, and resilience,” stated the Facebook post. “His legacy extends beyond business, as he was deeply committed to giving back to the community.”