08/07/2026
The Western Pack Burro Association is incredibly proud to be a sponsor of the new Leadville Boom Days monument!
This project is a tribute to the rich mining heritage and unique pack burro racing tradition that continues to make Leadville so special since 1949. We're honored to have played a small part in creating something that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors for years to come.
A huge thank you goes to Matt Voegtle of 720 Metal Works for generously sponsoring the monument's installation. Your support helped bring this vision to life, and we truly appreciate your commitment to the project.
We also want to recognize EMJD Precision Fabrication for their outstanding design and fabrication work. Their craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail exceeded every expectation. The finished monument is better than we could have imagined.
Projects like this are only possible because of passionate people, organizations and businesses who care about preserving our history and celebrating the sport of pack burro racing. The WPBA is proud to have made this monument a reality. We can't wait for everyone to see it this weekend for the Leadville Boom Day’s pack burro race.
Please join us on Sunday, August 9, 2026!
The Leadville Boom Pack Burro Race is one of Colorado’s most unique endurance traditions, blending mountain running, Western heritage, and teamwork between humans and burros. Held high in the Rocky Mountains at 10,200ft, the race traces its roots back to the mining era, when prospectors used burros to carry supplies through rugged terrain in search of silver and gold.
Today, competitors run alongside their burros across challenging alpine courses that test endurance, pacing, and partnership. Participants must stay connected to their burro at all times while navigating steep climbs, thin mountain air, and unpredictable weather. The event celebrates the spirit of the American West and has become a beloved tradition for athletes, spectators, and animal lovers alike.
With a mix of history, adventure, and small-town charm, the Leadville Boom Days Pack Burro Race offers a truly unforgettable experience in the heart of the Colorado mountains.
WELCOME SPECTATORS! Please remember this is NO DOG event. So to keep both dogs and donkeys safe, please leave them at home. Please stay behind white lines at the start and at the finish. The start can be hectic and donkeys may run erratically. We want everyone to stay safe so please keep a safe distance and stay out of the way. Finishers will be heading back south on Harrison from 7th towards the courthouse (the opposite direction) of the start. Short course is expected to start finishing around 11:30, long course around 2:00pm.
To spectate on course–please avoid driving up 5th between 10:00 and 11:00. To spectate on the short course, drive up S Toledo and turn left on Adelaide park road (also called 2A). To spectate on the long course, drive up 7th (CR 3) up to the Resurrection Mine/Aid station.
Pictures are from the 2019 Leadville Boom Days race, courtesy of the WPBA volunteer photographers.
