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Colorado Rodeos

Known for its high elevation, Colorado is a bucket list place for people enthralled with mountains.

It’s also a great state to see a rodeo, and you’ve got a lot of options.

National Western Stock Show

One of the largest rodeos in the state, the National Western Stock Show hosts rodeo events every day in January. You can see Professional Bull Riders (PBR) bull riding events, a PRCA Rodeo, and a WPRA rodeo.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctions rodeos and organizes finals. The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association also sanctions rodeos and organizes finals focused on women’s participation in rodeo sports.

The National Western Stock Show also hosts the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza, where you can see roping, Mexican-style bull riding, mariachi, bareback riding, and bullfighting.

You can also see the African American Heritage Rodeo that honors Bill Pickett, a member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. You’ll see all of the famous rodeo events at this rodeo.

The National Western Stock Show also includes charity nights – Pink (supporting breast cancer), Hunger Action, and Military Appreciation.

There’s also mutton bustin’, horse and livestock shows, and a Western art exhibit. If you’re headed to Dever to hit the slopes, end your evening with a rodeo.

Greeley Stampede

Held in June and July, the Greeley Stampede is a long-standing Colorado rodeo. The Greeley Stampede started in the 1800s. Today it is a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo. In addition to typical rodeo events, you can also see a Mexican Heritage Rodeo Celebration that highlights traditional Mexican horsemanship and its influence on rodeo in the United States.

Beyond rodeo events, you can enjoy a carnival, dance, demo derby, concerts, and 4th of July parade.

Range Call

With its origins from 1885, the Range Call is an event in Meeker every July. In addition to a rodeo, you can enjoy a 4th of July parade and fireworks, a barn dance, pancake breakfast, 5k run. There are also concerts and historical reenactments.

Wet Mountain Valley Stampede

Held in July, you can see a ranch rodeo at the Wet Mountain Valley Stampede. It also hosts a rodeo sanctioned by the PRCA and WPRA.

A ranch rodeo is a competition between teams of cowboys and cowgirls that resembles more what the first rodeos were like – competitions between ranch hands from different ranches.

Rodeo has changed over the years, with many events featuring performances by a single cowboy or cowgirl. These events include bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping, and more.

The Wet Mountain Valley Stampede is also part of the Custer County Fair. You can see 4H and FFA shows and a parade.

Cattlemen’s Days

Cattlemen’s Days is another long-standing Colorado rodeo. From its start in the 1800s it includes a PRCA Rodeo, a ranch rodeo, a parade, livestock show, livestock competitions, and horse shows.

Cattlemen’s Days occurs in July in Gunnison.

Archuleta County Fair

At the Archuleta County Fair in August, you can see many types of rodeo events – bull riding, bronc riding, and even wild cow milking. Kids can even participate in some rodeo events, including mutton bustin’, calf riding, steer riding, barrel racing, and more.

You can also see 4H shows, horse shows, and gymkhana equestrian events. Enjoy live music and a chuckwagon dinner and dance.

Colorado State Fair

Occurring annual in August and September, there’s a lot to see at the Colorado State Fair. It hosts a PRCA Rodeo, livestock shows, and petting zoos. If animals aren’t your thing, you can enjoy a parade, carnivals, and live concerts.

And, it wouldn’t be a state fair without fair food. If you’re planning a trip to Pueblo, be sure to stop by the Colorado State Fair.

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

Each July in Colorado Springs, cowboys and cowgirls who want to compete at the National Finals Rodeo contend at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. You’ll see all of the typical rodeo events, and kids can participate in mutton bustin’. 

The first Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo occurred in 1937. Since 1946, all of the rodeo proceeds go to assist local military families with quality of life initiatives, which has become the mission of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

Colorado Rodeo Associations

The Colorado Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA), like many rodeo associations, is a nonprofit. It supports rodeo competitions in Colorado and offers membership to cowboys and cowgirls.

The Colorado Gay Rodeo Association (CGRA) was founded in 1981. It organizes the Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo in Denver, which is the longest continuous running gay rodeo in the United States. The CGRA also runs gymkhana classes to teach about working with horses.

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