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Hickenlooper Rappels Down High-Rise For Charity

DENVER (AP) — Colorado's governor rappelled down a high-rise apartment building in downtown Denver to raise awareness for cancer Thursday, squeezing his eyes shut as he approached the sidewalk.

John Hickenlooper
(credit: CBS)

Gov. John Hickenlooper, clad in a bright-orange Denver Broncos jersey, described the 380-foot rappel as "pure fear, but nothing like facing cancer." He descended the 32-floor building for the Cancer League of Colorado.

John Hickenlooper
(credit: CBS)

The Over The Edge fundraiser has been held since 2009 and draws notable figures such as local television reporters and sports team mascots.

John Hickenlooper
(credit: CBS)

Organizers said a limited number of people who raised at least $1,000 for the organization would get the chance to rappel down the prominent building right off Denver's popular 16th Street Mall.

The Democratic governor had never rappelled down a building before, but it wasn't his first risky stunt for a cause. While he was Denver's mayor, he parachuted from an airplane in 2005 to raise awareness for a state ballot measure related to taxes.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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