The Colorado Legacy Scholarship Campaign is a year long effort to generate funds for the American Legion Veterans and Children Foundation. The Colorado Campaign capstone event is an ALR Legacy Run in the form of our annual Pony Express Run. There is one collection effort across the Colorado American Legion family throughout the year that will culminate with the Pony Express run on 5 July 2025. Click on the 2025 campaign logo below to download the 2025 campaign pamphlet. This pamphlet can be used for distribution to Colorado American Legion families as well as external donor prospects across Colorado.
The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation was established in 1925 as the American Legion Endowment Fund. Since then, the donation-driven fund has helped millions of disabled veterans and military/veteran families facing unexpected, threatening challenges. The foundation is a separate tax-deductible nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with a dedicated board of directors and national steering committee. It was renamed The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation in 2019 to better reflect those it serves.
Previous annual American Legion Rider Legacy Campaigns focused support to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship fund. This fund was established to provide needsbased scholarships to children of those killed in action, died on active duty and 50% or greater disabled veterans. Thanks to the tremendous support of donors not only in Colorado, but across the nation, the cumulative donations helped the fund become self-sustaining during the 2023-2024 years, ensuring that all who met the need and eligibility criteria could be awarded scholarships. With that goal achieved, the annual American Legion Rider Legacy Campaign efforts nationwide have shifted to support the Veterans and Children Foundation with the same goal of achieving self-sustainment through year over year giving.
Colorado Legacy Run: Pony Express
In the Colorado American Legion Riders effort to support this invaluable program for the children of our fallen, Colorado American Legion Post families across the state engage in fundraising efforts or will contribute to the Legacy Scholarsip fundraising effort in conjunction with their program during the year. The donations received are consolidated at various relay stations across the state. On July 6th, 2024, Colorado American Legion Riders conducted the state-wide Pony Express run, riding one of the designated routes to collect donations from each of the relay stations. All routes merged into a central collection point in the afternoon for a campaign celebration and some good old-fashioned fun.
The 2024 Colorado ALR Pony Express Final Relay stop was at Parry Pizzeria and Tap House (Interquest) in Colorado Springs, CO, where are total of $24,495 was turned in for the Legacy Scholarship Fund, With close out donations, The Colorado Contingent was able to present check for $25,815 at the 2024 National Convention.
The main 2025 Pony express is scheduled for Saturday 5 July 2025.
The
- The final stop for Pony Express this year is TBA, most likely in the Interquest area on the North end of Colorado Springs
- There are multiple hotels within walking distance of any location in the Interquest area if you want to reserve for the night or make weekend trip out of Pony Express
- Great Wolf Lodge and water park (https://www.greatwolf.com/colorado-springs)
- Courtyard Colorado Springs North (https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cosno-courtyard-colorado-springs-north/overview/)
- Drury Inn (https://www.druryhotels.com/locations/colorado-springs-co/drury-inn-and-suites-colorado-springs-near-the-air-force-academy)
- Springhill Suites (https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/cossn-springhill-suites-colorado-springs-north-air-force-academy/overview)
- Hampton Inn (https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cosiqhx-hampton-suites-colorado-springs-air-force-academy-i-25-north/)
- Holiday Inn Express (https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/colorado-springs/cosfd/hoteldetail)
- Residence Inn (https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/costw-residence-inn-colorado-springs-north-air-force-academy/overview/)
- There are a ton of restaurants in the area as well: Mission BBQ, Fuzzys, Shake Shack, Olelets, Etc, Atmosphere Gastropub, IHOP, In-N-Out, Chipotle, Cheddars, Torchys, Whataburger, Chili’s, Freddy’s and more
- There is also lots to do: Regal Theater, Great Wolf Water Park, Main Event Bowling…and Scheels for all your sporting good needs.
- Routes are TBD, but will likely commence from From Fort Collins, Eaton/Greely area, Del Norte (originating from Cortez 5 July) and La Junta that morning, converging on Parry’s. Departure times and Routes will be published soon on the Pony Express page here
2024 Pony Express Great Job!!!
Western slope and La Junta routes
- ALRs Montrose 73/Delta 65/Olathe 24 will deliver satchel on 22 June to Cortez ALR 75
- Cortez ALR 75 will leave for Del Norte on 5 July via US160 and spend night
- La Junta ALR9 and ALR 113 Alamosa will receive the satchel from Post 75 at 0930 on the 6th of July in Del Norte.
- ALR 9 and ALR 113 crew will travel to Alamosa, Alamosa to Poncha Springs via Hwy 285, then US50 into Canyon City Post 13, then US115 into Parry’s Colorado Springs, ETA 1430.
Northern routes from Fort Collins and Eaton
- Fort Collins Route:
- Post 4 Ft Collins KSU 1000.
- Arrive Post 32 Longmont 1100 KSU 1115.
- Arrive Post 161 Arvada 1215 KSU 1230.
- Arrive Eagles in Castle Rock 1330 KSU 1345.
- Arrive Parry’s 1430.
- Eaton Route:
- Post 26 Eaton at Heritage Market grocery store KSU 0930.
- Arrive Post 1985 Firestone 1015 KSU 1030.
- Arrive Post 180 Keenesburg 1100 KSU 1115.
- Arrive Post 183 Strasburg 1200 KSU 1215.
- Arrive Post 2008 Falcon at Safeway 1330 KSU 1345 (2017 Limon may meet us at 2008 location).
- Arrive Parry’s 1415.
Here are some photos from the 2024 run. Send any you want posted to coloradolegionriders@gmail.com and we will get the added.
2023 Legacy Campaign – Awesome Job Colorado!!!
The 2023 Campaign was a collaborative effort organized by Post and district ALR members. A total of $33,796.81 was presented at the 2023 National convention by the delegation that was in attendance from Colorado. This donation constituted the highest ever annual donation from American Legion in Colorado, exceeding the previous high by nearly $6000. This is the result of the combined leadership efforts of Colorado American Legion Rider Post programs in concert with Colorado Posts, SAL Squadrons, Auxiliary units, other post programs and post family obtained external donors. The 2023 Colorado campaign was led by post level volunteers from multiple post families and culminated with a post level led Pony Express from all corners of the state and ending in Colorado Springs, Colorado on 8 July 2023.
This effort showcases how much the Colorado Legion family can accomplish working together to achieve mission. SUPERB job by everyone!!!
2022 and prior runs
