SUBLETTE COUNTY — On Saturday, 112 individuals participated in the 7th Annual Boulder Roll, raising $1,720 just in registration fees to help prevent suicide and raise awareness in Sublette County. With the registration money added to the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle, the Bug Splat Bet, the donation jar, an auction and the poker hand purse, the bikers raised a whopping $11,150 with 100 percent of the funds staying in Sublette County.

The Boulder Roll poker run began in 2017, in memory of Jim “Crash” Newman, a Pinedale resident and avid motorcyclist who died by suicide in 2016. As part of their healing, Newman’s biker friends decided to honor him by doing what they all love best, heading out on the highway. Classic cars and trucks are also invited to participate in the poker run.

The event aims to build camaraderie and eradicate the stigma associated with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. Riders are urged to make a call to someone they haven’t spoken to in a while just to check in each time they put their motorcycle kickstands down.

Each rider in the 2023 event received a commemorative purple bandana and a card containing information about the state’s suicide hotline, 988.

The 2023 Annual Boulder Roll began with breakfast on June 10 at the VFW Post 4801 in Pinedale and ended at the Boulder Bar and Grill in Boulder. In between, bikers made a half-dozen stops at The Place in Cora, the Green River Bar in Daniel, The Spur Bar in Big Piney, The Eagle Bar in La Barge and Waterhole #3 in Marbleton, where they each drew a card. Each biker dropped a card at their final stop in Boulder. Participants with the best and worst poker hands won prizes at the end of the day.
The shenanigans at the Boulder Bar following the ride featured live and silent auctions of locally made items such as a wooden American flag with a bugling elk carved by Bryon Gaston, an American flag made from macramé by Mandy Cantu, a 30-minute helicopter ride, a topographic silk scarf featuring the Wind River Mountain Range, a custom fly rod by Tony Kelly, a gift bag from Cowboy Country Distilling, a stars and stripes table by John Wilson, a pair of cornhole boards by Shane Copeland, a painted skull by Deanne Swain, a full-sized quilt stitched by Krystal Thompson, a box of burger donated by Steele Ranch Cattle and much more.

The auctions raised $6,610.

Riders also enjoyed bbq specials, live music with Sammy Steele and a bonfire on Saturday night. Follow the Boulder Roll on Facebook for more information about the annual event and to get involved.

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal ideation or another mental health crisis, confidential help and hope are available 24/7. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text WYO to 741-741.