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From left to right: Sherm Cooper, Dick Singer, Lon Bromley, Wally Dallenbach, Art Lamey, Del Garner, Al Unser, Ed Kretz, Bobby Unser

History of the Colorado 500
Invitational Charity Rides

The Colorado 500 began in the fall of 1975. Wally Dallenbach and Sherm Cooper spent a few days in the Colorado Rockies riding the off-road trails and visiting old ghost towns of the gold and silver mining era. The time spent was so memorable they decided they had to do it again, and they would invite some of their friends to ride along. Since they had traveled approximately 500 miles on their ride and being that Wally was a former Indy 500 Race Car Driver, they called the first ride the "Colorado 500". Little did they realize at the time, but Wally & Sherm became co-founders of a ride that grew into an annual event that came to be known as the COLORADO 500 INVITATIONAL CHARITY DIRT BIKE RIDE.
In the fall of 1976 Wally and Sherm took the same back country ride again and invited 7 friends to join them; Dick Singer, Lon Bromley, Art Lamey, Del Garner, Al Unser, Ed Kretz and Bobby Unser. Those nine became the riders of the 1st Annual Colorado 500 Dirt Bike Ride. Over the years the ride has played host to over 1,500 different riders. Since 1984 the ride had a limit of 200 participants, now in year 2004 the limit has grown to over 300. The participants come from many diversified walks of life. Race car drivers, Motorcycle Racers, Members of the Motorcycle Industry Hall Of Fame, State Court Judges, Airline Pilots, Bankers, Detroit Automobile Industry Executives, Ministers, Actors, Retailers and Wholesalers to name a few. The diversity of the life styles, and the beauty of the Colorado Rockies, combine to create an extraordinary event that generates a special camaraderie. Participants report that the feeling is unequaled anywhere in the world of motor sports. Participants gather to ride the Colorado 500 from every State in the Union including Hawaii and Alaska. Other countries such as England, Belgium, Italy, Australia, Germany and Japan are all represented.
Colorado 500 Dirt Bike Riders are required to pass a tech inspection and a sound test before they can register to ensure safe and sound riding. All riders adhere to "Tread Lightly" policies. Many factory support teams such as Kawasaki Team Green, ATK, VOR, RevLoc and others are on hand to ensure motorcycling safety and support. Les Unger of Toyota Motorsports, USA, Inc. provides a Chase Team Fleet for medics, EMT’s, radio personnel, etc. And Don Riggle organizes a team of trail guides. These teams not only make sure everyone is accounted for and safe but that riders stay on designated trails.

Fueling up in 1979

Another important team is the Awards Committee. Each rider gets a chance to vote by ballot and Official Awards are handed out the last night at the banquet. Current awards are "Rider of the Year", "Most Helpful", "Perseverance", " Rookie of the Year", "Most Improved Rider", "Nick Sanborn/Toyota Trucks Chase Driver of the Year", "John Timanus Oldest Rookie of the Year", " Chip Mead Hidden Hero", "Jesse Goldberg Iron Man", "Dick Bettencourt Spirit of the Colorado 500". Other Awards are also issued for 10, 20 and 25 year vets.
The Colorado 500 Dirt Bike Rides and Road Bike Rides are both captured on video each year by L&M Productions. These videos are for sale along with a variety of Colorado 500 store items.
There are so many good memories, good fun, good people and just too many good things to say about the Colorado 500. Thanks to all the Riders, Supporters, Sponsors, Chase Team, Awards Committee, Scholarship Recipients, Staff and volunteers and of course the host Wally Dallenbach and his wife Peppy for keeping the spirit alive. Colorado 500, the organization known as "The Ride of Champions" and "The Ride with a Heart"!