The Donkeys of Cripple Creek

Or rather, "Why there are farm animals walking down my sidewalk"....

I have written about the Donkeys of Cripple Creek before. They are a common site around town in the warmer months. Click Here! 

The Donkey was the companion of early day miners. This pack animal was surefooted over treacherous mountain trails and could carry approx. 1/4 of its body weight. Miners would use the burro to carry their supplies and equipment to and from their mining claim. Quite often the burros would get loose or stray from their owners. These donkeys formed the foundation of many of the wild burro herds found around the United States. 

The story - Tourists to the Cripple Creek area are told that the local Donkeys are ancestors of the donkeys brought here by early prospectors. 

The truth - The Donkeys seen around town have all come from various donkey rescue organizations. The City of Cripple Creek maintains (paying for their health care and feed) a herd of 15 individuals. When a herd member is lost due to illness or age, then another burro is acquired. Sometimes when a new member is adopted, a 'bonus' is also included. This past year, two new females were adopted who were both pregnant and they gave birth this past Spring.

During warm weather the Donkeys are left to roam around town, making themselves at home wherever they please. Munching on grass and fertilizing lawns and flower beds. The Donkey herd is quite an attraction for visitors, who might never be able to see this clever creature up close and personal.  During the winter, the burro herd is corralled at the local rodeo grounds.

And that is why there are farm animals walking down my sidewalk. A tribute to the legacy which helped build this town.

There Ain't No Ass in Victor

I can already hear your thoughts. I know where your mind went!

But this post is about a mainstay found in the early mining communities of the Western United States. The Burro!

The burro, donkey or ass was the companion of early day miners. The burro was surefooted over treacherous mountain trails and could carry approx. 1/4 of its body weight. Miners would use the burro to carry their supplies and equipment to and from their mining claim. Quite often the burros would get loose or stray from their owners. These donkeys formed the foundation for many of the wild herds found around the U.S.

The Cripple Creek/Victor area of Colorado has always had 'wild' burros roaming the streets from as far back as I can remember. I can remember going to a Craft Fair in Victor one summer and wild asses (four-legged) wandered through the streets and attracted much attention.

Today, the Burro herd is only located in Cripple Creek. Not Victor. There is a fierce rivalry between these two old mining towns that are located only about 5 miles apart. Should the Burros begin to wander towards the town of Victor, then someone will go herd them back towards Cripple Creek. I do not know the whole story as to why the burros are only found in Cripple Creek now and not Victor, but I suspect it has to do with money. When gambling came to Cripple Creek, there was extra money to be had to care for these animals. Victor did not vote in gambling and is still a small struggling town.

During the warm weather months, the burro herd can be found wandering the streets of Cripple Creek. Quite often stopping traffic and attracting attention. During the winter, the herd is corralled and taken care of by the City of Cripple Creek. The herd is maintained at 15 individuals. All the herd members are 'fixed'. Should members be lost due to illness or age, anew donkeys will be acquired from a donkey rescue organization.

I always enjoy seeing these asses when I go to town!

Grabbin' Ass!

Sheesh! I can't take my Hubby anywhere!

I caught him grabbin' ass not once but twice this weekend! 

looking southwest over the town of Victor, Colorado

It happened over the weekend in the small mining town of Victor, Colorado (elevation 9,780 ft). 

It was a spur-of-the-moment trip. We were in Cripple Creek early to deliver a faux bois bench to the gift shop, Shops at the Silver Mine, and decided we didn't want to go straight back home. So off down the road we went to the neighboring town of Victor. We stopped at a scenic overlook that looked over a beautiful valley and a hiking trail with a few people - and their burros! - walking towards Victor. 

After watching the hikers for a bit, hubby & I wandered off to look at the various mining equipment displays. Not long into my absorption of history, I heard someone yelling, I looked around and saw a woman running down a nearby hill. Far ahead of her was her burro! I got Hubby's attention and he headed towards the main trail. I headed over to the trail spur which led to the parking lot. 

The runaway burro wasn't going any further! Fortunately the burro headed towards Hubby where she was promptly caught and led back to her owner. 

Back on the road we laughed about the "ass grabbin" and wondered what the race was about. As we wondered through town, we decided to stop and eat at a small cafe that looked out onto main street where the finish line was.  

We watched the racers come down the street as we enjoyed the best green chili I've had in awhile! After lunch we went out to mingle with the racers. 

Elrod

There was one burro that took a liking to me, his name was Elrod. Hubby had to keep intercepting him. I don't have a fondness for horses or burros. 

The race was a 'Haulin Ass Up The Pass' race sanctioned by the Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation. Burros were an integral part of Colorado's mining history. Burros supplied the labor to pull the heavy ore carts in the mines. They were the transportation to get the gold ore out of the mountains. Burros were the prospector's best friend. Today's races are an acknowledgement of the part the Burro played in the search for Colorado's riches. Each burro in the race, regardless of size, had to carry a shovel, a pick, a gold pan. The full size donkeys also had to carry 33lbs of weight. 

miniature donkey

How can anyone be mad when the Ass is as cute as the one in the picture above?