Pack burro races are a unique event in which people run alongside the donkeys while the animals carry a small pack saddle, often through mountainous terrain. Rooted in the West’s mining history, pack burro racing is actually Colorado’s official state sport, making it the perfect summer event to check out.

Here are 18 pack burro races across Colorado this summer:

1. Victor Pack Burro Race

Sunday, July 20

12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Located in historic Cripple Creek & Victor Mining District, this pack burro race has a 7.3-mile course that starts and finishes on Victor Avenue. The course has 1,100 feet of elevation gain, with ” lots of ups and downs, uneven footing, fantastic views, and passes by historic mine sites.”

2. Fairplay “The World Championship Pack Burro Race”

Sunday, July 27

10:15 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Racers can choose the “lower altitude” short course of about 15 miles or the long course of climbing all the way up to the top of Mosquito Pass and back, which is 29-plus miles and has an elevation change of 3,232 feet.

3. Leadville Boom Days Pack Burro Race

Sunday, August 3

10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Teams will begin on Harrison Avenue in Leadville for this race which heads up the town’s mining district on the East side.

4. Buena Vista Pack Burro Race “Curtis Imrie Day”

Sunday, August 10

10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

5. South Fork Alder Ass Pack Burro Race

Saturday, August 30

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This year will be the fourth annual South Fork Alder Ass Race.

6. Greenland Pack Burro Race

Saturday, September 13

10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

This pack burro race takes place on the Greenland Open Space Trail in Larkspur.

7. Frederick Pack Burro Race

Saturday, September 20

10:30 a.m. – 8:15 p.m.

This race starts at Fifth Street and Locust Street (Downtown Frederick) goes along the trail and through the tunnel towards the Frederick Recreation Area, loops around Milavec Lake, then heads back to finish in Centennial Park.

8. Naturita Pack Burro Race

Saturday, October 11

9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

9. Creede Donk Dash

Saturday, June 7

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

10. Idaho Springs Pack Burro Race

Sunday, May 25

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

This pack burro race in Idaho Springs begins at Citizens Park and ends on 16th street.

11. Georgetown Pack Burro Race

Saturday, May 24

11 a.m. – 6:35 p.m.

This race runs from Georgetown to Empire and back and is about 8-9 miles.

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