Pikes Peak Range Riders celebrate 75th anniversary this week

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Wednesday morning's annual downtown Street Breakfast was just the start of this week's celebration of the Pikes Peak Range Riders, an organization that started in 1949.

The PPRR are a group of area businessmen, civic leaders and ranchers who participate in events every June to support and promote Western heritage, the yearly Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, and the local military.

Recently, the group has added a mission of supporting youth equestrian and agricultural activities at its facility, the Latigo Trails Equestrian Center, near the El Paso/Elbert county line.

To commemorate this year's 75th anniversary, around 140 members -- after finishing their ride at the Street Breakfast -- traveled to Latigo and sponsored lunch, a ranch rodeo and dinner for members and their families Wednesday.

"This will be a bit different for us this year," said Jeff Renehan, this year's president. "We had planned to camp and ride on a ranch in Las Animas County, but the logistics didn't work out. What better way, we thought, to celebrate our 75th anniversary than by involving our families?"

Traditionally, members travel to private property in southern Colorado to establish a campsite and ride to and from different locations in that area.

However, in recent years, it has become more challenging for the group to find private landowners who will provide access for the event.

On Thursday and Friday, members will camp and ride in the area around Banning Lewis Ranch on the northeastern border of Colorado Springs.

"This may be our last chance to ride on this historic property as they progress with their development," Renehan explained.

Families accustomed to not having their husbands and fathers around for a week every June were excited about seeing what happens at the event.

"This is my husband's first year, but my father-in-law has been a Range Rider for five years, and my husband's uncle has been a Range Rider for over a decade," said Michelle Balsick. "We really like being here. Last year, they were up in Jefferson, so you didn't hear from them. No cell service for a week. So, this is great that we can all be here, cheer them on and participate."

Her nine-year-old niece, Emma, revealed what she was most looking forward to.

"I'm hoping to see my uncle not get run over by a horse with no shoes," she said. "A horse that he does not know."

Emma's younger brother, Ethan, said that he enjoyed the atmosphere."But there's a lot of horse poop," he said.

Renehan said that the PPRR have tried to uphold the same values established by its founders.

"People ask mw what Western heritage means, I tell them that it's a cultural thing," he said. "Helping folks remember the history and the settlement of the West, the horse culture. It's the cowboy way. I look you in the eye and shake your hand. My word is my bond."

And the group hopes that's learned and remembered by succeeding generations.