The Colorado Yoopers, a group organized by Carl Johnson, met this October for their annual picnic in Lakewood, Colorado. (Contributed photo)

COLORADO — The Colorado Yoopers have given a $500 grant to the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation in Hancock to benefit its Little Brothers program. The grant will be matched.

Organizer Carl Johnson collected funds at the group’s 25th-annual picnic Oct. 25 in Lakewood, Colorado.

Founded in 1998, the Colorado Yoopers is an informal group of former U.P. residents who gather for an annual picnic that raises money for Upper Peninsula nonprofits.

The 2025 picnic was attended by Yoopers from across the entire U.P. Those attending met friends, had a luncheon, accepted donations for pasties, held a silent action and played games.

“The annual picnic was a blast, like all of the past years,” Johnson said.

Past grants have been made by Colorado Yoopers to Schoolcraft County Summer Day Camp, Crystal Falls Contemporary Center, Keweenaw Family Resource Center, Room at the Inn in Marquette, Heat and Soles 906 Iron Mountain, VFW Post 4573 in Ishpeming and Amasa 125th in Amasa.

If you or someone you know from the U.P. is moving to Colorado, they can reach out to the Colorado Yoopers at coloradoYoopers.com.