Bond with a burro in the Colorado sport that kicks ass

By Melissa Voss

Colorado holds its own when it comes to the variety of experiences that adventurers and athletes can partake in. But have you ever raced alongside a burro while trying to win the Triple Crown? Well, coincidentally, burro racing is considered by some to be the state's one and only indigenous sport, and its roots can be traced back to the mining boom of the 19th century.

Burro racing Triple Crown events
Fairplay Pack Burro Race, held during Fairplay’s Burro Days Town Festival on July 28 in Fairplay; 29-mile race
Leadville Pack Burro Race, held during Leadville’s Boom Days City Festival on Aug. 4 in Leadville; 22-mile race
Buena Vista Pack Burro Race, held during Buena Vista’s Gold Rush Days Festival on Aug 11 in Buena Vista; 14-mile race
Another race to check out is the Greenland Pack Burro Race on July 14 in Larkspur; distance options are 4 miles and 8 miles

That’s when, as legend has it, two miners took part in the first known burro race. And finishing first meant gold. No, not a medal, but actual gold. The rival miners had discovered gold in the same area and the first one to make it back down to town would be the first to stake their claim.

Burros, of course, were used in mountainous areas and helped the miners haul their tools, ore, as well as other materials. They were not ridden but instead were led alongside their owner.

Today, holding true to tradition, a typical pack burro race is a team effort between the burro and the runner. The runner leads the burro on a rope while the burro carries a pack that includes mining equipment such as a pick, gold pan and a shovel. Those are some of the guidelines set forth by the Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation (WPBA), a governing body established 50 years ago by a small group of racers. Besides establishing the rules and regulations of the sport, the association has also expanded its membership and appeal.

In 2012, the WPBA successfully lobbied the state legislature for pack burro racing to become the official Heritage Sport of Colorado.

Also of note is how the Colorado-originated sport has continued to grow, not only here, but across the country and the world.

“The races may have started in Colorado, but now expand to New Mexico, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Tennessee and France,” says Roland Brodeur, public relations officer and archivist for the WPBA. “The burro races are a great way to bring tourism to many small towns. Places like Fairplay and Leadville have had our races for 75 years and have become huge events.”

On WPBA’s race calendar the events at Fairplay and Leadville are two of their most well known. In fact, they make up two legs of the three legs of the WPBA’s Triple Crown, with the third being the race held at Buena Vista.

While cultivating the sport, its community and its history can be challenging, what can’t be forgotten is the well being of the burros, which is of utmost importance to the association. According to Sheri L. Thompson of Plum Creek Veterinary Services, the important thing to remember while racing is to only apply the rope on the burro as hard as you would on yourself. The WPBA enforces several rules against mistreatment of burros and have them checked over by a veterinarian before and after each race.

In addition, the bond that builds between burro and racer is essential for success. As Brodeur says, “Many of these burros are rescued from a variety of situations. Some of our members have non-profit organizations that rescue, train and give the animals a purpose.”

When racers show up to the starting line, they’ve spent hours and hours training and preparing for the moment. “It may sound funny,” Brodeur says, but it’s a big accomplishment to get a halter on a donkey, to load it into a trailer, to get it saddled and ready to stroll.

The WPBA is always welcoming new individuals who are interested in participating in future races either as runners or volunteers. Numerous ranches and rescues allow burro rentals for training and races, including Burro OUT in Rifle; Forever Home in Benzon, Arizona (for Arizona, New Mexico and California races only); Lucky A Ranch in McNeal, Arizona; and Double Rainbow Ranch in Colorado Springs.

Brodeur also encourages folks with questions to reach out to the WPBA team. “Anyone that is interested in participating in a race, volunteering, being a volunteer photographer or just wants to know more can reach out to any of our board members,” he says. “We can answer any of their questions or direct them to someone that may help them out. On our website, we have organizations that have burro rentals, and our board members email addresses.”

Want to experience the history of the gold rush and pack burro racing but cannot race? Each of the Triple Crown races are held alongside festivals at their respective locations, so more community, celebration and fun are to be had.

Melissa Voss is a South Dakota native who recently moved to Colorado to find her next adventure. Her writing goes beyond working with Team Thirst, as she is working on her first novel. In her free time, she’s hiking with her dog, writing poetry with her cat on her lap, or adding to her growing collection of Colorado-based coffee and brews.