(CRIPPLE CREEK) — Cripple Creek kicked off summer this memorial day weekend by honoring those who served before releasing the donkeys!

This is the 3rd annual donkey release.

Member of the Two Mile High Club, Annie Valades, told us how this tradition started, “The Two Mile High Club has cared for the donkeys for 94 years, and they release them in the summer to pasture for many, many years, but three years ago, we started a big shindig.”

This family-friendly event had food, music, and even biscuits to feed the donkeys.

The release all started with a legend passed down in the town for years.

“The donkeys absolutely represent the history of Gold Camp. They used to work down in the mines, bringing ore carts up… Legend has it, President Teddy Roosevelt came here in the 30’s, and said release them [the work donkeys] from the mines.” Valades told FOX21.

The donkeys are now free to roam Cripple Creek all summer long.

Valades also commented, “They [the donkeys] are living history, they are our mascots of Cripple Creek.”

If you missed out on the fun, you can find the donkeys around all summer and join them for their Donkey Derby at the end of June.