It’s not that the Wild West doesn’t exist any longer — it just doesn’t come to town that often.
But rodeo season is upon us, bringing with it a chance to see the way entertainment has always been done in the West.
“The way I look at it, rodeo is a family event that is fun to watch and brings us back to the Old West,” said Chuck Colletti, president of the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association. “We get to go back to our roots, to the cowboy days.”
And here in Colorado we know how to cowboy up.
Colletti’s organization has more than 500 members, putting on 30 rodeos during the days of summer.
“From Trinidad to Brush and Grand Junction to Eads; no matter where you are in the state, you can go to a rodeo,” Colletti said. “Is rodeo still America’s No. 1 sport? In my opinion, it sure is.”
To see rodeo at its roots, check out your hometown or home county rodeo (for an extensive list visit: coloradoinfo.com/rodeos). Looking for a rodeo where the ranchers and cowboy lifestyle are close at hand? Check out the Granby Rodeo at Flying Heels Arena (granbyrodeo.com). The 4th of July Celebration, June 29-July 1, includes all the roping, riding and wrestling skills that folks still use to manage their livestock on the nearby ranches of Grand County.
If it’s a more regional affair you’re after, the following are 10 of Colorado’s big shows.
Avon
Rodeo: Beaver Creek Rodeo Series at Traer Creek
Major events: Bronco riding, calf scramble, team roping, mutton bustin’, barrel racing, bull riding and burro racing.
Facilities: There is a free shuttle from Beaver Creek to the event in Avon, which features free kids pony rides and face painting in a tepee. There are merchants selling cowboy boots, hats and Western items. Restrooms and parking are also available.
Food: A wide range of barbecue is offered by Vail Valley restaurants, and there is a sit-down area to enjoy it.
Of note: Kids can sign up for mutton bustin’ or calf scramble and adults ages 18 and up can sign up for burro racing.
The basics: It runs 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday nights throughout the summer (except July 26, when the rodeo takes place in Eagle). Gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets: $25 VIP, $20 adults, $10 ages 13-17; 12 and under free.
970-754-4636, beavercreek.com (click on Events/Thursday Night Rodeo)
Breckenridge
Rodeo: Breckenridge PRCA Pro Rodeo
Major events: Saddle bronc, bareback riding, bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing and clown acts. There will also be kids’ events that are open to public participation such as mutton bustin’ and calf scrambles.
Facilities: The rodeo will be held at a specially constructed venue on Airport Road with restrooms, dining seating and an activity area for before the event.
Food: An all-you-can-eat barbecue cowboy dinner is available before the rodeo.
Of note: Venue doors will open at 4:30 p.m. each day and will feature a family-friendly festival atmosphere leading up to the start of the event, including cotton candy, snow cones, retail vendors, rodeo clowns, mechanical bulls and live music. At 5 p.m. there will be a free “behind-the-chutes tour” provided by the rodeo clown.
The basics: Saturday and Sunday in August and Sept. 1-2. Tickets $20 adults, $15 ages 7-15; 6 and younger are free. VIP tickets also available for $40 adults, $30 ages 7-15; 6 and younger are free.
Colorado Springs
Rodeo: Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
Major events: Bareback riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing.
Facilities: The Norris-Penrose Event Center’s location at the base of Pikes Peak makes it a picturesque setting for rodeo. The facilities include a stadium, indoor arena, seven outdoor arenas, 20-plus acres of parking and more than 70 RV hookups.
Food: There are food concessions on site.
Of note:The family-friendly pre-show fun includes mutton bustin’ tryouts, gold panning, trick roper demos, pony rides, blow-up carnival rides and mechanical bull rides. The Coors Roadhouse Saloon features nightly live music right after the rodeo.
The basics: July 11-14 at 7:15 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday and at 12:45 p.m. for the Saturday matinee. Tickets: Range from $125 for VIP seating to $12 for seats in the “end zone.” Discounts for purchasing in advance and for members of the military. Tickets for children 12 and younger are $1 for the Saturday matinee.
Estes Park
Rodeo: 82nd Annual Rooftop Rodeo
Major events: Bareback bronc riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, mutton bustin’ and a calf scramble for cowpokes ages 8 to 12.
Facilities: With 42 acres of open space, the fairgrounds facilities include 572 horse stalls, five arenas, 18,230 square feet of covered exhibition area and a newly constructed grandstand that accommodates 2,700 people. There will be vendors and activities for children before the show.
Food: Vendors will have casual fare available.
Of note: Extreme Rodeo Freestyle Bull Fighting, considered the “most dangerous and exciting sport on dirt,” will be featured at 7 p.m. July 7.
The basics: July 10-15 at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. Box seats $15, general admission $10.
970-577-9900 or rooftoprodeo.com
Grand Junction
Rodeo: 37th Annual Colorado Pro Rodeo Finals & Parade
Major events: This rodeo has the top 12 contestants in 10 events compete for year-end and finals championship awards, including bareback riding and roping, steer wrestling, bronc riding, team roping and bull riding.
Facilities: The Mesa County Fairgrounds feature extensive equestrian and livestock facilities.
Food: Casual fare available
Of note: “All year long they go to rodeos — all to get here,” said CPRA president Colletti of this event.
The basics: Sept 14- 16. Gates open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show and on Sunday gates open at noon for a 1 p.m. show. Tickets: $12 adults, $9 for children ages 7 and up.
970-255-7100, coloradoprorodeo.com
Greeley
Rodeo: The Greeley Stampede
Major events: Bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, mutton bustin’ and bull riding.
Facilities: Island Grove features 145 acres, six buildings and four arenas. There is plentiful parking and more than 200 RV hookups.
Food: There is a food court with seating, as well as a variety of food available during the events.
Of note: Started as a harvest celebration in the late 1800s, the Stampede has become known for headlining concerts. This year’s lineup includes Creedence Clearwater Revisited with Great White and Slaughter.
The basics: June 28-July 4. Tickets: $12 and $20 depending on seating; $6 ages 12 and younger.
970-356-SPUR, GreeleyStampede.org
Pueblo
Rodeo: Colorado State Fair & Rodeo
Major events: Standard rodeo events, plus extras. The “Bull Wars” on Aug. 29 is a bull-riding event but is geared more toward the animals than the riders. Bulls are given scores based on how well they buck. The CSF Ranch Rodeo features events based on traditional chores such as mock-doctoring, sorting, mock-branding and trailer loading. The Celebracion de los Charros is an event designed to showcase the horsemanship and rope skills of the Mexican Charro. This is a traditional event full of pageantry and skill.
Facilities: Tickets include gate admission onto the fairgrounds, where visitors have free access to 100 acres, from three music stages to attractions such as lemurs, rain forest animals, a ventriloquist and a zipline.
Food: There are 52 food vendors on the grounds serving everything from hamburgers to frybread to cheesecake on a stick — in fact, if it can be put on a stick, chances are you’ll find it here.
Of note: One of the country’s largest state fairs, featuring top country and pop entertainers, PRCA rodeo action, 4-H exhibits, food and a carnival. Aug. 28 is $1 to get into the fair and $1 to get into the rodeo, so if you’re experiencing rodeo for the first time, that’s the night.
The basics: The PRCA Rodeo runs Aug. 24-28. CSF Invitational Bull Wars are Aug. 29, Ranch Rodeo is Aug. 30 and Celebracion de los Charros Sept. 2. Tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster ( ticketmaster.com) or the State Fair box office; prices vary by event.
800-876-4567, coloradostatefair.com
Pueblo
Rodeo: National Little Britches Rodeo Finals
Major events: Bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, goat tying, pole bending, flag racing, bareback riding, breakaway roping and goat tail untying.
Of note: Little Britches is one of the oldest, continuing youth rodeo associations, with its membership ranging from kids ages 5-18 in 26 states across the nation. It is a nonprofit venture that aims to develop character, self-reliance, good sportsmanship and encouragement through competition.
Facilities: At the Colorado State Fairgrounds, the Southwest Motors Events Center is an 8,225-seat multi-purpose arena. The expansive facility has 3,000 parking spaces and shuttles to the arena.
Food: Concessions are available inside the venues.
The basics: July 23-28 at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Event passes are $30.
Snowmass Village
Rodeo: Snowmass Rodeo
Major events: Bronc riding (saddleback and bareback), bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, daily ribbon roping and for children the calf scramble and mutton bustin’. New for adult spectators is burro racing.
Facilities: Free parking, portable toilets and kids activities: mechanical bull, bouncy house, “steer roping” (metal steers) and a petting zoo.
Food: A big food tent catered by Hickory House (restaurant in Aspen famous for its ribs) does a full dinner of ribs, chicken, beans, potatoes, cole slaw and beverages. Sandwiches are also available. A cowboy sings during food service before the rodeo starts, and there is a full saloon.
Of note: It is the oldest weekly rodeo in Colorado, starting in 1973 and run every year since. The calf scramble is huge — there are often 150 kids in the arena.
The basics: It runs 7 p.m. Wednesdays June 13-Aug. 15 (except July 4, when it’s held on July 6 instead). Tickets: $20 adults, $18 ages 11-16; kids 10 and younger are free. There is also VIP seating available for $25 adults, $15 ages 6-16; 5 and younger are free
970-923-8898 or snowmassrodeo.org
Steamboat
Rodeo: Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series
Major events: Bareback riding, tie-down roping, ram scramble, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing.
Facilities: The Brent Romick Rodeo Arena located at historic Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs seats 3,000 and has restrooms, seating for eating and parking (although camping is not allowed).
Food: The barbecue starts at 6 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m. Barbecue dinners include: potato salad, western barbecue beans, watermelon and ranch roll. Rib and chicken plates are also available.
Of note: It was voted one of the best small-town outdoor rodeos in the country. There will be special performances on July 4th with a fireworks display immediately following the rodeo.
The basics: June 15-Aug. 18 Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm. Pre-rodeo entertainment appears 6:15-7:15 p.m. Tickets: $15 adults, $8 ages 7-15; 6 and younger are free.
970-879-1818, steamboatprorodeo.com
By Chryss Cada
Author: Mile High Mamas
Amber Johnson
Hands down, the most fun we’ve ever had a rodeo was in Steamboat Springs a few years ago. My daughter won the ram scramble, my son still accusing her of “pushing” (and she doesn’t deny it) and she still displays the belt buckle trophy proudly!
Casey
I had no idea Colorado had so many great rodeos. I’m going to Estes Park this summer and will have to look into it.
Janet
The first weekend in June is one of the BEST rodeos around, and it won PRCA’s Small Town Rodeo of the Year for 2011. Come out next June to Elizabeth for our Elizabeth Stampede. Trust me, you will have the best time!
Daria
Love rodeos! Will have to make it to one of these this summer.