News and Views from the Heart of Teller County.

Tag: Cripple Creek

  • Stars, Stripes, and Small-Town Fun: Celebrating the 4th of July in Cripple Creek

    Stars, Stripes, and Small-Town Fun: Celebrating the 4th of July in Cripple Creek

    Two full days of small-town patriotism, fireworks, and fun for the whole family

    Cripple Creek is pulling out all the stops for a star-spangled celebration. On July 4th and 5th, head down Highway 67 for the town’s Independence Weekend Celebration, a family-friendly event packed with food, live music, games, classic cars, and one of the best fireworks shows in all of Colorado.

    This year marks the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and Cripple Creek is inviting everyone to help ring in the occasion. Quite literally. One of the celebration’s key traditions includes “Ring the Bell for Freedom,” a chance for kids and adults alike to give the bell a ring and reflect on what freedom means.

    Thursday, July 4:

    The day kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with food trucks, vendors, and activities across town, including stops at the Heritage Center, City Park, and the American Legion on Bennett Avenue.

    Highlights include:

    • Live music
    • Classic cars and military vehicles
    • Cripple Creek’s famous donkeys
    • Victorian personalities walking the streets
    • Games and prizes for kids
    • O.U.T. West Art Show
    • Root beer floats, food, and a beer tent
    • Vendors open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Stick around after dark for the main event — an epic fireworks display lighting up the skies over Cripple Creek, sponsored by the City and launched by the pros at Zambelli Fireworks. The Heritage Center will stay open until 10 p.m. for the best view in town.

    Friday, July 5:

    The fun rolls into Friday with more music, food, and activities along the 300 and 400 blocks of East Bennett Avenue.

    Don’t miss:

    • Live performances
    • First responder demos
    • More kids’ games and prizes
    • A street dance from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. to close out the weekend

    Whether you come for the cars, the dancing, the food, or the fireworks, Cripple Creek’s Independence Weekend Celebration delivers a classic, high-country Fourth of July experience with a hometown feel.

    So grab your flags, load up the family, and head for the hills. This is what summer in Teller County is all about.

  • Donkey Derby Days Returns to Cripple Creek for 2025

    Donkey Derby Days Returns to Cripple Creek for 2025

    Three days of racing, music, and mountain-town fun, all for a good cause.

    One of Teller County’s most beloved summer traditions is trotting back into town. Donkey Derby Days returns to Cripple Creek from June 27 through June 29, 2025, bringing three days of street festivals, live music, family activities, and the crowd-favorite donkey races.

    Now in its 94th year, Donkey Derby Days is the main fundraiser for the Two Mile High Club, the nonprofit that has cared for Cripple Creek’s famous free-roaming donkeys since 1931. The event celebrates the town’s gold rush history and honors the hardworking donkeys that helped build it. Today, those animals are as much a part of Cripple Creek as the casinos and historic storefronts.

    The Main Event: Donkey Races

    It may sound easy, but it’s anything but. Each race pairs a donkey with two teammates, one handler and one runner, who try their best to guide the donkey to the finish line on Bennett Avenue. Of course, donkeys have minds of their own, which leads to a lot of laughs, a few surprises, and some truly unforgettable moments.

    Saturday features a full slate of racing action, including two qualifying heats, a media race, a military race, and the trophy race for the top finishers. Sunday keeps the energy going with themed races like the Businessman’s Race and a pair of fun runs.

    Music, Food, and Fun for the Whole Family

    Throughout the weekend, the streets of Cripple Creek will be filled with the sounds of live music on multiple stages, food vendors, and craft booths. The Kid’s Zone will be open every day near 2nd and Bennett, and there will be gold panning, beer gardens, and even a silent auction on Saturday at the Double Eagle Hotel.

    Bands scheduled to perform include The Flying W Wranglers, Austin Ross Band, McDeviants, and many more. Whether you’re into country, rock, bluegrass, or just good tunes, there will be something for everyone.

    Schedule Highlights

    Friday, June 27

    • Event opens at 2:00 p.m.
    • Street Fair, Kids Zone, and Beer Gardens
    • Live music by Maddox Ross and Meghan Clarisse

    Saturday, June 28

    • Pancake Breakfast at the Fire Station from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.
    • Parade down Bennett Avenue at 11:00 a.m.
    • Donkey Derby Races begin at 12:30 p.m.
    • Live music on three stages until 9:00 p.m.
    • Vendors, food, gold panning, and more

    Sunday, June 29

    • More donkey races starting at 11:00 a.m.
    • Live music, vendors, food, and kids activities until 6:00 p.m.

    Whether you come for the music, the food, or the four-legged chaos of the donkey races, Donkey Derby Days is one of the best weekends of the year in Cripple Creek. It brings together history, fun, and community spirit in a way you won’t find anywhere else.

    See you on Bennett Avenue.

    Learn More: https://www.cripplecreekdonkeys.com