Annual Ride
The Pikes Peak Range Riders were organized by local businessmen in 1949 to promote the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. The Pikes Peak Range Ride is held every June to publicize and promote the upcoming rodeo and to generate interest in Colorado Springs' western heritage. This year's begins June 23rd.
The ride kicks off at the Sertoma Street Breakfast with the U.S. Army doing all the cooking! The Range Riders will lead a parade out of downtown. 2009 marked the 61st annual range ride, thirty-five of which have been around Pikes Peak. The City of Colorado Springs, private landowners, and the U.S. Forest Service have historically been very gracious in granting access and the permits necessary to reach our historical campsite at Gillette, Colorado.
One of the best traditions of the annual Range Ride is Guest Night when military and community leaders, guests and Range Riders join together to celebrate our western heritage in the shadow of Pikes Peak with nothing but sky overhead!
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
Since its inception in 1937, the renowned Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo has gathered crowds from all over the United States. The majority of the proceeds from the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo are provided to local military charities to help out those in need of assistance. Since its inception, the rodeo has contributed over 2 million dollars to these military families. Many Range Riders are either directors on the Rodeo Board or work on various volunteer committees.
Scholarships
Each year the Range Riders award the Pikes Peak Range Riders-Brookhart Scholarship to deserving high school graduates, along with the Tom Collier Jr. Memorial Foundation Scholarship to commendable Pikes Peak Rangerettes.
PPRR Foundation
The non-profit Pikes Peak Range Riders Foundation was founded in 1999 to promote and preserve the western heritage of the Pikes Peak Region by providing their Latigo Trails Heritage Centre, multi-use community facility, to organizations and individuals for their charitable, educational, cultural and recreational activities. The Centre also hosts the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center's special needs equestrian program.
Pivots
The Pikes Peak Range Rider Pivots, a precision riding group consisting entirely of Range Riders, were formed in 1954. They have ridden in numerous performances in places such as Denver, Wyoming, Texas, Las Vegas and Oklahoma. They are good will ambassadors for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and through their performances promote tourism to the Pikes Peak Region.
Rangerettes
The Pikes Peak Rangerettes equestrian drill team, formed in 1957 and comprised of young women between the ages of 12 and 20, also promote the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the Pikes Peak Region in local and regional performances.
Special Rodeo
The Range Riders started the Special Rodeo in 1996, held each year at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame during the week of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. The Special Rodeo gives special needs children an opportunity to experience horse related events in a rodeo environment where every participant is a winner.