How to Run a Rock Climbing Event in Colorado

Running a rock climbing event in Colorado? Here's how to plan it, pick a format and run it on Colorado Under Par, start to finish.

What it looks like

Climbing competitions in Colorado are mostly gym-hosted bouldering and rope comps held year round, plus outdoor events at crags in spring and fall.

Formats

Bouldering Comp

Climbers try short, rope-free problems over pads during a set window, scoring points for each send.

Redpoint Comp

Climbers attempt as many routes as they can in a set time, counting their best few sends.

Top Rope Comp

Climbers attempt routes with the rope already anchored above, scoring by route difficulty or height reached.

Lead / Sport

Climbers clip the rope into bolts as they go.

Speed Climbing

Climbers race up a standard route on top rope against the clock, often head to head.

Dyno Comp

Climbers leap from start holds to a far hold, which is moved farther each round.

Outdoor Comp

Climbers attempt real rock routes or boulders over a day, logging sends on scorecards.

Speed Route Race

Climbers race up a top rope route while the clock runs, with winners by age group. It is fast, exciting and easy to follow.

Climb-a-thon Pledges

Supporters pledge a set amount for every route or foot a climber completes. Climbers push for one more route to raise more.

Summit Bell Ring

Hang a bell at the top of a featured route for climbers to ring when they finish. Every ring gets a cheer and a photo.

Build it

In the Organizer Dashboard, click Create event and pick rock climbing and your format. Every tab, word and Start here guide then follows your sport.

Registration

Choose your team size and divisions, like recreational, intermediate and advanced. In Registration, ask what you need from each entrant, like club, gym or team you represent.

Results

Open Scores and results to enter each score, and totals rank automatically by division. Tick Post results so everyone can see the standings on the event page.

Event day

Climbers check in and get scorecards, warm up, climb during the comp window with judges, then finals and awards follow.

Fun ideas

Make it memorable. Three ideas people love. Speed Route Race. Climbers race up a top rope route while the clock runs, with winners by age group. It is fast, exciting and easy to follow. Climb-a-thon Pledges. Supporters pledge a set amount for every route or foot a climber completes. Climbers push for one more route to raise more. Summit Bell Ring. Hang a bell at the top of a featured route for climbers to ring when they finish. Every ring gets a cheer and a photo.

Tip

One tip for first-timers: set routes for every level and give clear scorecard rules so climbers can track their own points. Building is free, then 1% per paid order plus card processing, paid to your own Stripe account. Stuck? Ask Caddie or search Need help in your dashboard. Start at coloradounderpar.com/sell-tickets.