Proposal to make pack burro racing Colorado's state sport
Target:
outdoor enthusiasts, Colorado history enthusiasts, runners, donkey owners
Sponsored by:
To members of the Colorado General Assembly:
The following petition is being submitted in support of a proposal originated by Edith Teter Elementary School in Fairplay Colorado, and now sponsored by the Western Pack Burro Association, to designate pack burro racing as the state sport of Colorado. Pack burro racing is uniquely situated to become the state sport of Colorado:
- Pack burro racing is Colorado%u2019s only indigenous sport and promotes a unique facet of Colorado%u2019s past.
- 2008 is the 60th anniversary of pack burro racing.
- Burros have been key players in Colorado%u2019s history such as mining, prospecting, transportation, ranching and farm use.
- Pack burro racing draws people from all walks of life whether as participants in the amateur or professional races or as fans and spectators. It is a true community event.
- Burros play an important role in the heritage and economy of historic mining towns. They are %u201Cliving history%u201D and connect people to the historic heritage of Colorado.
- Pack burro racing helps fund programs for rural schools such Edith Teter Elementary School in Fairplay which do not have the tax base to support school programs other schools take for granted.
- Fairplay Burro Days, which has had pack burro racing since 1949, is the biggest economic draw of the year and helps raise funds for local charities such as medical and the senior center.
- Pack burro racing is seeing an increase in media exposure due to modern technology being used in the United States and the internet. Filmmakers, television channels and the internet have increased exposure to the sport and the animal. As an official state sport this would put Colorado in a unique marketing position with tourists.
Therefore, we would respectfully request that the Colorado General Assembly officially adopt pack burro racing as Colorado%u2019s official state sport.
To members of the Colorado General Assembly:
The following petition is being submitted in support of a proposal originated by Edith Teter Elementary School in Fairplay Colorado, and now sponsored by the Western Pack Burro Association, to designate pack burro racing as the state sport of Colorado. Pack burro racing is uniquely situated to become the state sport of Colorado:
- Pack burro racing is Colorado%u2019s only indigenous sport and promotes a unique facet of Colorado%u2019s past.
- 2008 is the 60th anniversary of pack burro racing.
- Burros have been key players in Colorado%u2019s history such as mining, prospecting, transportation, ranching and farm use.
- Pack burro racing draws people from all walks of life whether as participants in the amateur or professional races or as fans and spectators. It is a true community event.
- Burros play an important role in the heritage and economy of historic mining towns. They are %u201Cliving history%u201D and connect people to the historic heritage of Colorado.
- Pack burro racing helps fund programs for rural schools such Edith Teter Elementary School in Fairplay which do not have the tax base to support school programs other schools take for granted.
- Fairplay Burro Days, which has had pack burro racing since 1949, is the biggest economic draw of the year and helps raise funds for local charities such as medical and the senior center.
- Pack burro racing is seeing an increase in media exposure due to modern technology being used in the United States and the internet. Filmmakers, television channels and the internet have increased exposure to the sport and the animal. As an official state sport this would put Colorado in a unique marketing position with tourists.
Therefore, we would respectfully request that the Colorado General Assembly officially adopt pack burro racing as Colorado%u2019s official state sport.
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We signed the "Proposal to make pack burro racing Colorado's state sport" petition!
# 125:
8:36 am PDT, Aug 29,
Erik Wayland, Colorado
# 124:
6:58 pm PDT, Aug 27,
Jordan Heaton, Colorado
This would really bring about the spirit of the west that's almost been stolen from Colorado.
This would really bring about the spirit of the west that's almost been stolen from Colorado.
# 123:
3:21 pm PDT, Aug 22,
Tom Lovell, Colorado
# 122:
11:01 am PDT, Aug 22,
Eric Seifert, Colorado
# 121:
8:39 pm PDT, Aug 20,
Susan Brittain, Nebraska
# 120:
6:33 am PDT, Aug 16,
Nathan Bowen, Tennessee
# 119:
4:42 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Kelly Jordan, Colorado
I think it is a great idea and it says "Colorado!" I saw burro racing on RFDTV and I said, "I wanna do that." Donkeys are great animals and super smart!
I think it is a great idea and it says "Colorado!" I saw burro racing on RFDTV and I said, "I wanna do that." Donkeys are great animals and super smart!
# 118:
8:53 am PDT, Aug 10,
Miles f. Porter iv, Colorado
great idea. we have been fans of burro racing since 1972. we even know a few asses.
great idea. we have been fans of burro racing since 1972. we even know a few asses.
# 117:
11:53 am PDT, Aug 8,
Kelly Murphy, Colorado
Pack Burro racing is a unique difficult sport requiring physical endurance and the ability to team up with a burro. It would be a great tribute to the miner who are such a part of Colorado History.
Pack Burro racing is a unique difficult sport requiring physical endurance and the ability to team up with a burro. It would be a great tribute to the miner who are such a part of Colorado History.
# 116:
9:19 am PDT, Aug 5,
Susan rene Fisher, Colorado
i felt honored to run this race this year for the first time. the history and tradition of burro racing is very interesting and needs to be preserved. anyone that has been in the presence of a burro knows how special they are! making this sport the state sport would be great!!!
i felt honored to run this race this year for the first time. the history and tradition of burro racing is very interesting and needs to be preserved. anyone that has been in the presence of a burro knows how special they are! making this sport the state sport would be great!!!
# 115:
10:33 am PDT, Jul 30,
Karen Turner, Arizona
# 114:
11:24 am PDT, Jul 29,
Richard G Hamilton, Colorado
# 113:
10:32 pm PDT, Jul 28,
Lynda James, Colorado
I've been a fan of this sport for 15 years. Not only does it honor our past, it is the ultimate in endurance and cooperation. The Fairplay Burro Days race is almost thirty miles long, beginning at over 10,000 feet in elevation, ending at Mosquito Pass at an elevation of well over 13,000 feet. Burros carry 40 pounds of mining gear and their "partners" run beside them. Sometimes ahead of them pacing and guiding the burros. sometimes dragged along behind the burros. Every year I am amazed at the individuals and animals that compete in the burro races of Colorado, as they run through meadows along the river and climb 3,000 feet up the rocky, narrow path to the top of the pass. Usually they encounter dry, hot temperatures at the bootom, cold hard rain, sometimes hail (as they did this year)as they and their burros race up the steep pass used in times gone by as a transportation route between the mines near Fairplay, Alma and Leadville. After 5-6 hours, the first make it back, as check points along the way radio information back to those anxiously awaiting word on the condition and progress of the racers. Man and animal alike face the challenge test of their life. Sometimes the runners or animals get hurt; and, yes, sometimes the burros bulk. Thirty miles they run as a team, longer than a marathon. It is a sight to behold as they race the last stretch to the finish line -or limp in, not willing to give up finishing the race. I urge you to honor the tradition of burro and man in our history by making burro pack racing the state sport of Colorado. Thank you, Lynda James
I've been a fan of this sport for 15 years. Not only does it honor our past, it is the ultimate in endurance and cooperation. The Fairplay Burro Days race is almost thirty miles long, beginning at over 10,000 feet in elevation, ending at Mosquito Pass at an elevation of well over 13,000 feet. Burros carry 40 pounds of mining gear and their "partners" run beside them. Sometimes ahead of them pacing and guiding the burros. sometimes dragged along behind the burros. Every year I am amazed at the individuals and animals that compete in the burro races of Colorado, as they run through meadows along the river and climb 3,000 feet up the rocky, narrow path to the top of the pass. Usually they encounter dry, hot temperatures at the bootom, cold hard rain, sometimes hail (as they did this year)as they and their burros race up the steep pass used in times gone by as a transportation route between the mines near Fairplay, Alma and Leadville. After 5-6 hours, the first make it back, as check points along the way radio information back to those anxiously awaiting word on the condition and progress of the racers. Man and animal alike face the challenge test of their life. Sometimes the runners or animals get hurt; and, yes, sometimes the burros bulk. Thirty miles they run as a team, longer than a marathon. It is a sight to behold as they race the last stretch to the finish line -or limp in, not willing to give up finishing the race. I urge you to honor the tradition of burro and man in our history by making burro pack racing the state sport of Colorado. Thank you, Lynda James
# 112:
6:10 am PDT, Jul 28,
Bob Beeman, Colorado
We support the idea of burrow racing as the Colorado sport.
We support the idea of burrow racing as the Colorado sport.
# 111:
8:50 pm PDT, Jul 25,
John Latham, Colorado
This is a great effort and is most appropriate for our great state of Colorado!
This is a great effort and is most appropriate for our great state of Colorado!
# 110:
2:31 pm PDT, Jul 24,
Mary Martin, Colorado
# 109:
10:31 am PDT, Jul 24,
Craig Martin, Colorado
# 108:
5:44 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Eric Wagner, Illinois
# 107:
5:08 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Hugh Schmidt, Colorado
Pack Burros are representative of the Mountain West, and it's history. Colorado is located in the Mountain West. This sport would be very representative of Colorado.
Pack Burros are representative of the Mountain West, and it's history. Colorado is located in the Mountain West. This sport would be very representative of Colorado.
# 106:
3:38 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Jessuca Keyes, New Jersey
# 105:
2:21 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Lisa Wagner, Colorado
# 104:
1:15 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Glenda Tannahill, Illinois
Please recognize not only the fun, but the historical importance of this sport for future generations.
Please recognize not only the fun, but the historical importance of this sport for future generations.
# 103:
12:59 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Marie Reynolds, Texas
Please make pack burro racing Colorado's state sport!
Please make pack burro racing Colorado's state sport!
# 102:
12:53 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Robert Bergman, Colorado
# 101:
12:33 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Stephen Trask, Colorado
Designating pack burro racing a Colorado state sport is a good idea to helps us remain connected to Colorado history. I urge the adoption of this proposal!
Designating pack burro racing a Colorado state sport is a good idea to helps us remain connected to Colorado history. I urge the adoption of this proposal!
