Pack Burro racing – Colorado’s official sport?
Bobby Lewis with Wellstone, Barb Dolan and Chugs tie for first place, Buena Vista Gold Rush Days.
Article by Carin R. Kirkegaard with photo by Ed Kosmicki
Since 1949 pack burro races have been run throughout Colorado, mostly in mountain towns like Fair Play and Leadville, but Morrison holds bragging rights for the race to the Fort Restaurant in the foothills. As the only indigenous sport of Colorado, the Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation (WPBA) is presenting a proposal to Colorado’s General Assembly to designate pack burro racing as the official sport of Colorado.
“We are a bunch of mountain guys and even some city slickers who just love to race and would like to see the sport get some recognition,” said Highlands Ranch neighbor Brad Wann, media relations for the WPBA.
Pack burro racing gives deference to the mining tradition that is steeped in the state’s history. In fact, there is folklore that says pack burro racing began when two miners who had discovered gold had to race down the mountain leading the heavy laden burros to see who would be first to file the claim in town.
Today the rules of the race include elements from the legend. A runner and the burro must complete the race together with the runner leading, pulling, pushing, carrying, but never riding the burro. Each burro is required to carry a packsaddle with 33 pounds of traditional mining gear. Every pack must have a pick, a gold pan and a shovel.
Like in horse racing, burro racing also has a triple crown. It consists of three races. This year, the first race will be held in Fairplay on July 25 as part of the Burro Days Festival. On August 8, the second race of the triple crown is run in Leadville as part of the town’s Boom Days celebration. The final burro race is held on August 15 during Buena Vista’s Gold Rush Days.
In addition to the triple crown races, Georgetown, Idaho Springs and Morrison will all hold burro races throughout the season. According to Wann, burro racing is an extreme sport with trails marked with flour that traverse mountain passes, snow encrusted paths and cold mountain streams. Each race, however, has a purse that can run between $1,500 and $2,000 for the winning team.
The WPBA operates on a small budget with most of it being spent on prizes and the end of the year banquet. Wann would like to extend a thank you to the WPBA sponsor, Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply. “They are an incredible sponsor and have been instrumental in our growth,” said Wann.
To learn more about the WPBA and see a schedule of the upcoming events visit the website at www.packburroracing.com.
