Established in 2006, Durango Devo is a Colorado 501[c][3] non-profit organization. The basic mission of Durango Devo is to develop each individual, in a traditional team setting, into life-long cyclists. Today, there are 600+ kids in the program, over 100 coaches and a group for every age, ability level, and interest attracting over 1100 registrations every year!
Devo’s programs are arranged in an age based building block style to increase interest in mountain biking and promote each athlete in a positive, social environment. Devo is split into age-based programs including Junior Devo (ranging from push bikers starting at 2.5 years old through 5th-grade skills groups) and Upper-Level Devo (which spans our middle and high school groups, including the Explorers, Flyers, Cyclocross, girls and boys U14, girls and boys U19, and the Colorado High School League Teams of DHS and AHS). Durango Devo also conducts summer camps in conjunction with The Durango Discovery Museum, Seed Studios of Durango, and Purgatory Resort. All programs are led by a Devo trained and First Aid and CPR certified head coach with the help of trained assistant coaches.
Back in 2006, Devo was born out of the desire to provide an organized structure for kids to learn and grow on mountain bikes. Up until that point, mountain biking was a niche sport, with few kids getting involved, and little to speak of in terms of support for those new to the sport. Devo changed all of this. Growing from just 15 kids in two programs at its inception, Devo is one of Durango’s largest and most widely recognized youth sports groups, in addition to being one of the most successful cycling development teams in the country.
Over the years, Devo has seen tremendous success, both in the competitive and non-competitive spheres. From a racing perspective, no other cycling development program compares to Durango Devo. Devo alumni include Olympians, World-Tour pros, Grand Tour stage winners, Cape Epic champions, World Championship medalists, and over 50 national champions
But, even while Devo continues to churn out some of the world’s best racers, at its core Devo is NOT A RACING PROGRAM! Devo’s mission is to develop lifelong cyclists, and in practice, this means a lot more than just being great at riding bikes. Devo aims to foster a safe, respectful, and conscientious appreciation and stewardship for the environment by engaging Durango’s youth with the outdoors on their bikes. At an even deeper level, Devo strives to develop and better the lives of Durango’s youth through the power of the bicycle. Bikes provide a consistent and positive outlet for kids (and adults!) to hone and focus their energy. With Devo, kids learn the power of effective goal setting, experience the thrill of tangible improvement, and are inspired and empowered to translate these lessons to other aspects of their lives. Devo’s goals in the Durango community, in practice, incorporate Devo’s belief that bikes are an incredible tool for enacting positive, tangible change in the lives of the people that ride them. This, at the end of the day, is the guiding force that inspires all of us working with Devo.