At the High Lonesome, we believe that good races need good trails. Since our beginning, we've worked hard to advocate and fundraise for trail work. Over the years, we've raised over $86,000 for the best trail nonprofits in the mountain west. Without their efforts to protect, maintain, and advocate these trails, our race probably wouldn't exist. Last year, we raised $18,801.48 through runners We'd like to see us raise $20,000 this year from our runners, which would be the most we've ever raised in a year!
Not sure which organization to support? Here's our suggestion:
1. Colorado Fourteeners Initiative: CFI has been our primary beneficiary since 2017 (our first year) and has been an amazing supporter. From providing trail work opportunities to helping get our liquor permit, CFI is a huge help and partner to the race. Plus, they are caring for the busiest trails in the state and are constantly innovating for creative ways to protect Colorado's most loved peaks. We've raised over $58,000 for CFI since 2017.
2. Continental Divide Trail Coalition: The CDTC is a phenomenal organization that is tasked with protecting the greatest long distance trail in the country. They are also leading the trail nonprofit world in diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and initiatives. And on top of all that, they are primarily responsible for building and maintaining the best sections of the High Lonesome. We've raised over $23,000 for CDTC since 2018.
3. Trail Mix Fund: In an effort to improve diversity in trail racing and remove a potential barrier for the under-served and under-represented, the Trail Mix Fund pays the race registration fee for runners who cannot afford it or aren’t sure they belong in the sport. We also believe that there are more BIPOC & LGBTQ+ people who would like to race and would enjoy being part of the community but aren’t comfortable taking that step of signing up to race. Waiving the registration fee alone won’t solve this problem, but maybe it can help some. Freestone Endurance's partnership with the Trail Mix Fund is new for 2024, but we hope you'll consider donating!
4. Colorado Trail Foundation: This one is tough. The Colorado Trail is dearly loved in the state (and rightly so), but the CTF will not partner with any running event on the CT. While the CTF does important work, and deserves to be supported, but we wish they would be active partners for non-hiking user groups and recreation events. We've raised over $5,000 for CTF since 2017.
We hope you consider donating!
PLEASE NOTE: If you want to pay the opt out, select the "Opt Out" option for $150. Trail Work opt outs must be paid to Colorado Fourteeners Initiative or the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (do not pay the opt out fee to the Colorado Trail Foundation or Trail Mix Fund). Any other donation amount does not count towards the opt out fee and is just an honest-to-goodness donations for honest-to-goodness reasons.
