Last Summer’s Event Described as Huge Success
Two Mile High Club
The Two Mile High Club (TMHC), caretakers of the Cripple Creek Donkeys, is pleased to announce the dates for the 93rd Annual Cripple Creek Donkey Derby Days.
“After an incredibly successful celebration in 2023, with estimates of around 20,000 people in attendance on Saturday, we learned a lot,” said Brandon Westhoff, President of Two Mile High Club (TMHC). “And one thing is that everyone loves the races and wants to see them take place on Saturday and Sunday!” With that, the Donkey Derby Days 2024 will take place the last weekend in June, which provides a better time around school vacation, volunteer availability, summer travelers, and the accessibility of specially trained pack burros for Two Days of races!
So, mark your calendars for June 28-30, 2024, for what promises to be the biggest and best Donkey Derby Days in 93 years!
The preliminary schedule shows a soft opening for vendors and food trucks on Friday, with a feature band kick-off celebration on Friday evening. Enjoy Live music, vendors, food trucks, craft booths, a silent auction, various attractions, and two days of Donkey Derby races throughout the weekend.
The festival has strong roots to the district’s heritage.
In 1931, the original herd of working donkeys, released from the mines at the encouragement of President Teddy Roosevelt, needed ongoing care. A group of local businessmen established the Two Mile High Club to provide that care as the donkeys made their home in Cripple Creek. In the ensuing years, other donkeys adopted by the TMHC, make up the herd which usually numbers around 15 donkeys. TMHC operates on 100 percent donations from local businesses, memberships, individual and family sponsorships, and grants. Donkey Derby Days is its largest fundraiser of the year and helps to provide money for vet care, food, and shelter at approximately $2,000 per donkey annually. Club volunteers work tirelessly to care for this herd of donkeys 365 days a year, rain or shine, sleet or snow.
The Cripple Creek Donkeys are ambassadors for the city. The first question that summer visitors tend to ask in Cripple Creek is, “Where are the donkeys today?” because the donkeys roam the streets freely from Memorial Day weekend in May to mid-October, enjoying the attention and healthy treats that visitors provide.
Donkey Derby Days is a time for this entire region to celebrate the rich mining history of Cripple Creek and the historical representation of times past with the Cripple Creek Donkeys.
To learn more about the Cripple Creek Donkeys or to donate, sponsor or volunteer, please visit our website for additional updates on vendor applications and donkey derby race information: https://www.cripplecreekdonkeys.com.
