Mile High 360

Break Barriers, Increase Accessibility, & Invest in Youth Sports, Health & Wellness, & Brighter Futures

this Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day | 9.1.2026

For too many young people in Colorado, financial barriers shut the doors to sports by age 11, and dropout rates are even higher for youth in low‑income and underrepresented communities. Yet research consistently shows that kids who play sports experience stronger academic performance, increased self‑esteem, better mental and physical health, and higher lifetime earnings.

At Mile High 360, we remove financial obstacles by offering free program participation and ensure every student—no matter their background—can join a team, ride a bike, and/or explore the outdoors in a supportive, structured environment. Through our partnerships with the Colorado Outward Bound School, Outride, REDI Lab, Front Rangers, and by participating in cycling races such as the Mad Gravel, SBT GRVL Race, etc., we integrate sport, mentorship, academic support, and experiential learning so that participation becomes a pathway to leadership and resilience.

The Mile High 360 SBT GRVL Team: Students trained and raced in the
Green & Red Courses, Completing 25 and 53 miles, respectively

Why Youth Sports Matter

• Reduce negative behavior: Kids involved in sports are significantly less likely to engage in reckless behavior such as experimenting with drugs, skipping school, or encountering juvenile justice issues.

• Foster camaraderie: Our Health & Wellness Cycling Programming isn't just about fitness or finishing lines — it's about the people riding beside you. When students train and ride alongside their friends and family, they build something that lasts long after the wheels stop turning: camaraderie, trust, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you don't have to do hard things alone. Like Ian (see below), he rode the SBT GRVL race shoulder to shoulder with his mom and aunt. Together, they showed up to training rides, powered through rigorous terrain, and crossed the finish line with victorious ear-to-ear grins. 

• Elevate self‑esteem & mental wellness: Sports participation builds confidence, lowers anxiety and chances of obesity, and fosters emotional well‑being.

• Foster long‑term success: Children who play sports are more likely to attend college and earn higher incomes later in life. For example, Diego (see the image below) has been a longtime student member of Mile High 360. He has consistently participated in our programming, embraced our Health & Wellness Cycling programming, and he, along with his younger brother, has crushed the SBT GRVL bike race for five consecutive years. Now, he's looking forward to becoming a University of Denver Daniels School of Business Freshman on a full-ride scholarship. We couldn't have been more prouder of Diego and his determination towards everything he puts his mind to!

Diego, College Freshman &
Ari Health & Wellness Coordinator                 Left to right: Ian, Highschool Freshman, Adrianna (Mom), & Anele (Aunt)

What Your Gift Supports:

When you donate to Mile High 360 on September 1st, starting from 6 PM, your gift will be MATCHED DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR up to $150,000. You won't just be supporting sports, but helping us:

• improve & implement new cycling curricula,
• boost opportunities for student members to partake in cycling events,
• upgrade students' access to quality cycling gear,
• increase our program participants and, 
• fuel students' outdoor cycling adventures, e.g., bikepacking.

DONATE

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