Yes, it’s true. You can rent a burro to carry beverages at your next event. Highlands Ranch resident Amber Wann, owner/operator of Rocky Mountain Beverage Burro, has been providing this unique and adorable service for customers throughout Colorado since 2017.
Wann talks about the history of the company, “We had a few opportunities to incorporate our burros serving beverages with baskets I built for a few years prior to making our business official in early 2017. Word spread fast and we were excited the burros worked a dozen events that year. Then it was closer to 20 events each year. Even through the pandemic we still squeezed in a couple dozen events. Post-pandemic with a wedding BOOM we had about eight of our burros share in nearly 100 events through 2021. That was including other friend’s burros I contract out through the state in South Fork, Leadville and Northern Colorado. By the end of 2022 the burros collectively worked 145 events. Currently for 2023 we have already booked 140 events and more booking daily, with some dates completely booked. 2024 is nearing two dozen events booked as well.”
That shows the popularity of having these well-mannered guests attend festivities.
“The burros know they are wanted and loved. One of the our most popular poses is when people hold our donkey’s head in their arms for a hug,” she says.
Before each event the burros are washed. The brushing and pampering are a treat for these animals. Hooves get shined up with a special oil treatment and the flowers and baskets can be customized to complement the flowers and colors of any event.
Wann says, “People often say, ‘wow this donkey is so soft and sweet.’ Guys especially dig beers on a burro and say they must have a beer from a burro and document the moment with a photo or selfies. We have a client that posted getting beer from a burro was the best day of his life!”
“I believe all of our burros enjoy hopping in the trailer and going on an adventure with us and their herd. Burros are very social and emotional animals, so joining on a new adventure seems exciting to them. The burros are also a great icebreaker for guests who might not know other guests, so they come and hang out with the burros for a petting session. Petting the burro has a calming effect on people and the burros.”
In addition to Rocky Mountain Beverage Burro, Wann and her husband Brad operate ReDONKulous Ranch Sanctuary & Rescue, Inc.
“We filed for non-profit status with our herd in 2021, after telling people for years we give our burros sanctuary which we have since 2014. And we had also taken in numerous other feral burros from kill pens to rehabilitate through the Pack Burro Racing activities and found them homes with running families. We have helped several folks with education and support with their own burros and even lent out our burros to help tame other wild ones where they live as well.”
“We give 15 burros sanctuary and on occasion take in a wild or feral burro needing to learn how to be trusting from our herd. Brad and I do not consider ourselves trainers or go by any book. It is an instinct for us, but we love to utilize our already gentle herd in the training process with the rescue burros. We do all of this out of love and a strong desire to help burros and others, which is why we share of ourselves so much in all we do!”
BeverageBurro.com
“The burros know they are wanted and loved. One of the our most popular poses is when people hold our donkey’s head in their arms for a hug,” says Amber Wann, Owner, Rocky Mountain Beverage Burros.
