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 Scholarship fundraising effort in conjunction with their program during the year. The donations received are consolidated at various relay stations across the state. On August 6th, 2022, 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 2022 Colorado ALR Pony Express Final Relay stop was at American Legion Post 209 in Colorado Springs, CO, where are total of $25,811 was turned in for the Legacy Scholarship Fund, With close out donations, Department was able to present check for $28,000 at the 2022 National Convention. This was the highest amount of donations received during the annual Pony Express event in the history of Department of Colorado.

The 2023 Pony express will occur on 8 July 2023. Relay routes and final stops will be provided once planning is complete.

Post 209 is again hosting the final stop for the 2023 run. The final stop festivities are planned to begin at 2pm!

Legacy Scholarship Fund

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is a nation-wide needs-based $20,000 scholarship designed to fulfill a financial gap remaining after all federal and state educational grants/scholarships available to an eligible applicant have been utilized. The Scholarship can be used for undergraduate studies, graduate studies, or for certified trade school programs. Recipients may reapply for additional annual awards up to six times Eligible recipients include the children of U.S. military members who died while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001 and children of post-9/11 veterans having been assigned a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater by the Department of Veterans Affairs also qualify. The American Legion Legacy Scholarship helps ensure higher education is a possibility for children who lost a parent to death on active duty, or suffered a service-connected disability rated 50 percent or greater by VA, since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In 2022, one Colorado applicant received a scholarship award. Recent changes to the program include the provision that all donations received in a given year will be added to the endowment cap for that year and awarded as scholarship funds, effectively raising the number and value of scholarships given annually.

The 2023 campaign flyer can be downloaded from the link HERE

Routes to the final stop are as follows:

8 July Southern Route Organized by ALRs 73, 75, 9 and 113 (Durango- Del Norte-Alamosa-Canon City-Colorado Springs) NOTE: Montrose to Durango/Ignacio portion runs on 1 July

Route timing Depart Del Norte NLT 1000, timed to arrive at final Stop (Post 209, 3613 Jeannine Drive, Colorado Springs) by 2PM

Northeast Route (Eaton to Colorado Springs)

If you are east of I-25 we will be doing the same route as last year.

• We will be starting at Heritage Market, 180 S Elm Ave. in Eaton.

• KSU is at 0800.  There will be breakfast for sale before we leave

• Arrive at Post 1985 Firestone around 0845 KSU 0900 (15 minute breaks at each stop)

• Arrive at Post 180 Keenesburg 0940 KSU 1000 I will have a key if anyone needs to potty.

• Arrive at Post 183 Strasburg 1045 KSU 1100

• We will stop off in Elbert at the South 40 Bar & Grill for a light lunch.(1145ish, KSU 1245ish)

• ALR Post 2008 will meet us at the South 40 Bar and Grill in Elbert at 1200

• Arrive at Post 209 Colorado Springs 1345-1400

There will be opportunities to fuel in Keenesburg and Falcon.  The route is roughly 180 miles.

Steve Butner will be at Heritage Market at 0715 and will be on the whole ride.  There will be dinner and festivities at 209 at the end of the ride.

If you are east of I-25 (excluding Post 1 and 1187) these will be the stops if you want to present a check for the Pony Express.  If you are west of I-25 please contact Richard Noakes, his email address is in the contact list.  He can give you the list of Posts he will be and at what time.

Checks must be written out to ALR Post 209 and in the memo write “Legacy Fund”.

Front Range West of I-25 (Fort Collins to Colorado Springs)

Pony Express Route will is below please keep in mind there are “stops” on there just to make the route but it is as follows:

• Leave Post 4 at 0830 Arrive Post 32 0930
• Leave Post 32 1000 Arrive Post 161 1100 (Post 161 is graciously going to serve lunch!)
• Leave Post 161 1200 arrive at the Eagles in Castle Rock 1245(this is because there is no post 1187)
• Leave Eagles Castle Rock 1315 and arrive Post 209 1415
• The link to the directions are below and can be transferred to a phone.

View directions from American Legion Post 4 to American Legion Post 209 via American Legion John Harold Buckley Post 32, American Legion Post 161, and 4 other stops in Google Maps.