"Pack Burro Racing" Official Colorado State Sport

To members of the Colorado General Assembly:



      The following petition is being submitted in support of a proposal originated by Western Pack Burro Association, to designate "Pack Burro Racing" as the Official State Sport of Colorado.  Pack Burro Racing is uniquely situated to become the Official State Sport of Colorado:


  1. Pack burro racing is Colorado's only indigenous sport and promotes a unique facet of Colorado's past.
  2. Pack Burro Racing was Established in 1949.  
  3. Burros have been key players in Colorado's history such as mining, prospecting, transportation, ranching and farm use.
  4. 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.
  5. Burros play an important role in the heritage and economy of historic mining towns.  They are living history and connect people to the historic heritage of Colorado. 
  6. 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. 
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Copy of Video link Zootoo:

    http://wnvideo.zootoo.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?clipId1=2796682&flvUri=&partnerclipid=&at1=News&vt1=v&h1=Racers%20Run%20With%20Burros%20on%2021%20Mile%20%E2%80%98Rocky%E2%80%99%20Course&d1=275967&redirUrl=http://www.zootoo.com&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv




      Therefore, we would respectfully request that the Colorado General Assembly officially adopt "Pack Burro Racing" as Colorado's Official State Sport.

Help make "Pack Burro Racing" the Official Colorado State Sport



The Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation supports pack-burro racing, the only sport indigenous to Colorado. Since 1949 our group seeks to continue a great sport begun by some of Colorado's 19th-century miners. Those hardy characters used burros (Spanish for donkeys) to carry their mining tools and supplies through the Rocky Mountains as they prospected for gold, silver, and other valuable ores. Since the burros were carrying a full load, the miners had to walk, leading the animal with a rope. Legend has it that two miners found gold in the same location, and raced each other back to town to be the first to stake a claim to the find. Neither could ride their animal because of its load, so one of the basic rules of burro racing was established (No Riding).  



The burro-racing season runs from late May through August. There are presently six events in six mountain towns. Each event is part of a festival celebrating the town's history. The "Triple Crown" races are in Fairplay, Leadville, and Buena Vista. The remaining three races are in Georgetown, Cripple Creek, and Idaho Springs.



Pack burro racing popularity continues to grow! There is a movement to make it Colorado's official state sport. A long-time member of the WPBA was recently interviewed on Colorado Public Radio and a noted state pundit, Ed Quillen of the Denver Post, wrote a supporting article in August 2008.



Please feel free to browse our website (http://www.packburroracing.com/). You can see photos of this year's and some past year's races. You can get an idea of the spirit that motivates our members to team up with the noble beasts and compete against each other. And, who knows? First you may come to observe next year's races, then you may feel crazy enough to join us and do it yourself.







Support our Sport"Pack Burro Racing"



Copy of Video link Zootoo:


http://wnvideo.zootoo.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?clipId1=2796682&flvUri=&partnerclipid=&at1=News&vt1=v&h1=Racers%20Run%20With%20Burros%20on%2021%20Mile%20%E2%80%98Rocky%E2%80%99%20Course&d1=275967&redirUrl=http://www.zootoo.com&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv

Sign Petition
Sign Petition
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.

Privacy Policy

By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.

Having problems signing this? Let us know.