Elevations Credit Union is using the bicycle to connect to its Colorado communities.

The $2 billion asset credit union in Boulder, Colo., allocates a portion of its community support to biking-related initiatives.

“Anyone who has visited Colorado knows the importance bicycles play in our outdoor lifestyle, especially in and around the college towns of Boulder and Fort Collins," says Dennis Paul, Elevations' vice president of business and community development. "The members and employees of Elevations Credit Union are no exception, with many biking for both recreation and commuting.

Here’s how Elevations promotes Colorado’s bike-friendly communities:

Buffalo Bicycle Classic

Elevations is the title sponsor of the Buffalo Bicycle Classic (BBC), which has raised more than $3.6 million to provide scholarships for more than 400 Colorado University students during the past 15 years.

Elevations, along with Colorado University’s College of Arts & Sciences, is a founding sponsor of the event, which was created in 2003.

The students BBC serves are some of Colorado’s brightest, each entering Colorado University with better than 4.0 high school grade point averages. BBC student scholars also demonstrate strong financial need.

Elevations recently announced a commitment to the event through 2026 with increased annual support of $50,000 per year. Due to this continued support for the ride, BBC recently created the Elevations Credit Union Buffalo Bicycle Classic Scholarship.

This full-tuition scholarship will be awarded annually to continuing BBC scholars based on their academic records at Colorado University and their demonstrated commitment to academics and community service.

Community Bike Drive

Elevations also hosts a month-long Community Bike Drive every other May.

This year—the third year Elevations has hosted the drive—the credit union donated a total of $5,330 to two local nonprofit biking organizations: Community Cycles in Boulder and the Fort Collins Bicycle Co-op.

Elevations also collected 533 used bikes that will be distributed to people in need in the community. With the help of members, Elevations more than doubled the impact for the local bike community, making it the most successful year to date.

During the past three years, Elevations has donated 1,186 bikes and more than $11,800.

Bike to Work Day

In May, Elevations celebrated its 21st year participating in Bike to Work Day.

The credit union’s original and long-standing station in Boulder provided more than 500 breakfast burritos to participants this year. Elevations also hosted stations in Fort Collins and Louisville.

“Bike to Work Day is a popular Colorado event. And Elevations is thrilled to do our part to support this fun morning of commuting to work via bicycle, which results in taking over 25,000 vehicles off of the road that day,” says Paul.

While cycling is near and dear to the communities Elevations serves, it represents just the tip of the credit union's “giving iceberg.”

The credit union’s charitable arm, the Elevations Foundation, has provided more than $1.4 million in community resources since its inception in 2010. The Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization.