Pack Burro Racing Photography: Preserving Colorado's Summer Heritage Sport

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Pack burro racing is one of Colorado's most distinctive and enduring heritage sports—a living tribute to the miners and prospectors who once relied on burros to navigate the rugged mountain terrain. Today, racers and their burros continue that tradition by tackling challenging courses that wind through historic mining communities, often covering distances of up to 30 miles and climbing to elevations exceeding 13,000 feet.

Recognizing the importance of preserving this unique sport, Pack Burro Racing Photographers (PBR Photos) was founded as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to documenting the people, burros, races, and communities that make pack burro racing so special. Through the work of our volunteer photographers, we are creating a permanent visual archive that celebrates the history, athleticism, camaraderie, and spirit of this remarkable Western tradition.

Every photograph tells part of the story. Together, they preserve the legacy of pack burro racing for racers, families, fans, and future generations.

Pack Burro Racing Photographers is committed to documenting and preserving the history of pack burro racing by providing volunteer photographers at as many races as possible each season. We strive to cover 12 to 18 events annually, capturing the athletes, burros, volunteers, and communities that make this uniquely American sport so special.

While our roots are in Colorado's rich mining heritage, pack burro racing continues to grow across the country. Our photographers regularly document races in Colorado, Arizona, California, and New Mexico, with the sport now expanding to Massachusetts and Tennessee.

Whether you're an experienced photographer or simply enjoy photography and the outdoors, we invite you to join our volunteer team. Every race we cover helps preserve another chapter in the history of pack burro racing.

Volunteer opportunities are posted throughout the season as race dates and course details are finalized. Visit our Volunteer Photographer page to view upcoming opportunities and sign up to photograph a race.

 At Pack Burro Racing Photographers, we believe great photography is about more than capturing a single moment—it's about telling the complete story of a race. From the excitement of the starting line to the determination on the trail and the celebration at the finish, our volunteer photographers document the spirit, athleticism, and partnership that define pack burro racing.

After each event, our photographers carefully review and professionally edit thousands of images to ensure every racer receives the highest quality photographs possible. We strive to capture each participant multiple times throughout the course, providing a collection of memorable images that racers, families, organizers, and fans can enjoy for years to come.

Our photographs are more than race memories—they have become an important part of the historical record of pack burro racing. Images from our volunteer photographers are regularly featured in news articles, magazines, promotional materials, and other publications that celebrate and promote this uniquely American sport.

By combining skilled photography with careful editing and thoughtful preservation, we are building a lasting visual archive that honors the people, burros, and communities that keep the tradition of pack burro racing alive.