Preserving WESTERN HERITAGE in the modern era
By Lexi Marshall
The thunder of hooves against packed dirt echoes through the arena as a hush falls over the crowd. A gate swings open, and for eight seconds that stretch like an eternity, man and beast engage in a primal dance of determination and raw power. This is Colorado rodeo—where the spirit of the American West isn’t just remembered, it’s lived.
On a summer evening in Elizabeth, Colorado, spectators from all walks of life gather for a tradition that has defined this community for generations. Urban professionals sit shoulder-to-shoulder with ranch hands, all united by the spectacle and a shared connection to something authentic in an increasingly virtual world.
“It’s the greatest sport in America, and we want to see that endure,” says Lea Anne Russell, vice president of the board of directors for the Elizabeth Stampede. Her voice carries the passion of someone who hasn’t just worked in rodeo but has lived it to her core.
The Elizabeth Stampede: A Community Legacy
What began as an informal gathering of cowboys competing by car headlights has evolved into a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) member event that draws national talent while maintaining its small-town charm. For the past 37 years as a PRCA rodeo, the Elizabeth Stampede has become a cornerstone of community identity, earning the title of Mountain States Circuit Rodeo of the Year an impressive 17 times.
“We run the entire thing with two to three hundred volunteers every year,” Russell explains. “That enthusiasm is noticeable.”
This year’s event offers a weekend of themed performances, kicking off Friday night with the high-adrenaline bulls and broncs Chute Out. Saturday brings the fan favorite Tough Enough to Wear Pink performance in the afternoon, supporting the organization’s foundation and its community initiatives, followed by a Saturday evening celebration of Colorado agriculture. The festivities conclude Sunday with the Red, White and Blue Rodeo, honoring veterans and first responders. Country star Chase Rice will headline the opening concert on Thursday, June 5.
Russell herself embodies the personal connection many have to the rodeo tradition. Growing up competing in junior rodeos on the West Slope, she later moved to Elizabeth specifically because the town had a professional rodeo. Her daughter followed in her footsteps, competing through high school and college, and now serves as the 2025 Elizabeth Stampede queen.
Greeley Stampede: A Century of Celebration
Colorado’s rodeo tradition runs deep, woven into the very fabric of the state’s history. June and July mark the height of rodeo season when arenas across Colorado come alive with the sights and sounds of bucking broncs, cheering crowds and community celebration. One of the season’s crown jewels is the Greeley Stampede, held each year from June 25 to July 6. Drawing more than 250,000 fans annually, it stands as the second-largest rodeo in Colorado, surpassed only by the legendary National Western Stock Show each January.
“What makes the Greeley Stampede stand out is our commitment to preserving our western heritage and celebrating our community,” says Kevin McFarling, Greeley Stampede marketing manager. “It’s more than rodeos, concerts and entertainment. The Greeley Stampede is cherished memories, family gatherings and reunions.”
What began in the late 1800s as a local celebration honoring potato farmers officially took shape in 1922 as the Greeley Spud Rodeo. That inaugural event featured bronc riding, roping contests, pie-eating, Model-T races and more, drawing approximately 2,500 attendees. As the decades progressed, the event embraced the “Go West with Greeley” motto—a nod to the city’s namesake, Horace Greeley—and rebranded in 1972 as the Greeley Independence Stampede.
Today, the 12-day celebration is a hallmark of summer, showcasing PRCA-sanctioned rodeos, country and rock concerts, a demolition derby, carnival midway, western art shows, and a televised Fourth of July parade. More than just a festival, it’s a living tradition embodying cowboy grit, small-town pride and the enduring spirit of the American West.
National Western Stock Show: The Super Bowl of Livestock Shows
The Elizabeth Stampede captures the charm of community-based rodeo; the Greeley Stampede showcases how a small-town tradition can grow into a major event; and the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) stands as the pinnacle of rodeo in Colorado. As one of the top five rodeos in the United States, NWSS boasts 29 performances, with 19 selling out completely—an impressive feat for events that often run on weeknights. Held annually in Denver since 1906, it generates $171 million in economic impact across Colorado in just 16 days, according to a 2023 report.
“We’re one of the few major rodeos that do not provide music as a follow-up to the rodeo,” saysLeon Vick, vice president of Rodeo & Horse Show Operations at NWSS. Instead, the focus remains on the action, which begins immediately after the national anthem and prayer.
Vick brings a unique perspective to his role, having competed professionally in rodeo for 21 years before transitioning to management. “I feel like I have a leg up on a lot of rodeo management teams because I can see it from both sides—from the production team as well as the contestant side,” he explains. Before joining the NWSS, he also served as president of the PRCA’s Mountain States Circuit for several years.
What might surprise many is Colorado’s prominence in the rodeo world. “Colorado has probably as many or more rodeos than the state of Texas does,” Vick reveals. “Many of the contestants in Texas spend their summers in Colorado, where many of the better rodeos are.”
One highlight of the NWSS is its annual “Colorado Versus the World” event on opening day, where winners from Colorado rodeos like Elizabeth, Loveland, Pueblo, Greeley and Colorado Springs compete tournament-style against champions from outside the state.
A Rich Rodeo Heritage
Colorado has produced some of the sport’s most legendary figures, perhaps none more iconic than Lane Frost, born in La Junta, Colorado. Raised in the tiny town of Kim before moving to Oklahoma, Frost’s passion for bull riding began in early childhood when he rode his first calf at the age of five. By 10, he was already turning heads in youth rodeos, and under the mentorship of champion Freckles Brown, Frost grew into a rodeo icon known for his talent and humility. In 1987, he won the PRCA World Championship in bull riding.
However, Frost’s life was tragically cut short at just 25 during a competition at the Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming, when a bull named Takin’ Care of Business struck him after a successful ride. His sudden passing stunned the rodeo world but ignited a legacy. Immortalized in the film ”8 Seconds” and posthumously inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Frost remains a symbol of everything rodeo stands for: resilience, courage and unshakable passion.
Rising Stars and Legendary Performances
Colorado rodeos have launched the careers of many champions. The Elizabeth Stampede proudly notes it was the first professional rodeo victory for barrel racing superstar Hailey Kinsel, who won multiple world championships.
“National Western has had every top rodeo contestant in the country here performing,” Vick says, “from Ty Murray to J.B. Mauney, Stetson Wright, Trevor Brazile and Joe Beaver. The best of the best have all performed here.”
Colorado’s rodeo legacy isn’t just preserved in pro arenas—it’s also thriving at the collegiate level. Colorado State University pioneered collegiate rodeo, hosting one of the earliest intercollegiate rodeos and being among the first universities to establish a college rodeo program and organize official competitions. Colorado Mesa University’s women’s rodeo team held the number one national ranking in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association for multiple weeks during the 2024 season.
They earned a coveted qualification for the College National Finals Rodeo and have remained a top contender in the Rocky Mountain Region, showcasing their strength on both regional and national stages.
Preserving Agricultural Heritage + Breaking Stereotypes
Both Russell and Vick emphasize rodeo’s role in keeping agricultural traditions alive in an increasingly urbanized society.
“As long as agriculture is in the conversation, people will understand where their food comes from,” Russell says, pointing to the educational aspect of rodeo events. She describes herself as an “advocate for agriculture,” encouraging others to become informed about the industry.
Vick echoes this sentiment: “It keeps us all grounded and reminded of what rural America provides—the food we eat, the clothes we wear. I think these events are very necessary just to keep us in that reminding stage.”
The modern rodeo athlete defies old stereotypes. According to Vick, “People think rodeo contestants are all ranch-raised kids that did not have another avenue. The reality is that very few contestants are ranch-raised kids. Many come from cities, especially in the riding events, and probably 90 percent have a college education.”
The Elizabeth Stampede has embraced this evolution while maintaining traditions. It was among the first rodeos to add women’s breakaway roping when it became an official event and ensured equal prize money for women’s events compared to similar men’s competitions.
The Experience + Getting Involved
For spectators, Colorado rodeos offer an experience that combines athleticism, tradition and community. At the NWSS, “fans are right next to the fence—the front row fans are sitting there with their knees almost against the fence of the arena,” Vick describes. “It’s an up-close and personal event.”
The Elizabeth Stampede similarly focuses on the spectator experience, recently beginning a process to replace grandstands with new aluminum seating and making other improvements to the facility.
For those interested in experiencing rodeo culture, both Russell and Vick recommend attending a local event, regardless of size.
“The best thing is to search out your local rodeo on the internet,” Vick suggests. “Take a kid with you. Help build a generation that sees what yesteryear looked like. Give them a taste of the West.”
Russell believes the best way to understand the culture is simply to be present: “By being there, you see the camaraderie, the atmosphere, the love of the sport. It’s one of the most patriotic events you’ll ever attend.”
As Colorado continues to grow and change, its rodeos remain a vital connection to the state’s roots, bringing together rural and urban residents alike to celebrate Western heritage in an authentic, community-focused way.
“It’s a celebration of all that has been good in our tradition and our history,” Russell says. “It allows people to come together—and that’s the key word: together.”
Don’t miss this season’s rodeo action!
Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo
Dates: June 5–8
Location: Casey Jones Park, Elizabeth
Highlights: A four-day PRCA-sanctioned rodeo featuring top-tier bull riding, barrel racing and a Thursday night concert with artists Chase Rice and Jake Worthington.
Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series
Dates: Fridays and Saturdays, June 20–August 23 (including July 4)
Location: Brent Romick Rodeo Arena, Steamboat Springs
Highlights: A historic rodeo series dating back to the late 1800s, offering weekly rodeo action in the heart of Steamboat Springs.
Greeley Stampede
Dates: June 25–July 6
Location: Island Grove Regional Park, Greeley
Highlights: One of Colorado’s largest rodeos, featuring traditional events, a carnival, concerts and a 4th of July parade.
High Country Stampede Rodeo
Dates: Every Saturday from July 5 to August 16
Location: High Country Stampede Grounds, Fraser
Highlights: Expect thrilling events like bull riding, barrel racing and mutton busting. Guests enjoy themed nights, Saturday specials, BBQ by SMOKE and a special ice cream shop.
Rooftop Rodeo
Dates: July 5–10
Location: Estes Park Events Complex, Estes Park
Highlights: Known as “The Rodeo with Altitude,” this PRCA event offers nightly rodeo action, a Monday parade and family-friendly activities with mountain scenery.
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
Dates: July 8–12
Location: Norris-Penrose Event Center, Colorado Springs
Highlights: Featuring over $1 million in payouts, this NFR Open event attracts top rodeo talent from the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Douglas County Fair & Rodeo
Dates: July 25–August 3
Location: Douglas County Fairgrounds, Castle Rock
Highlights: An award-winning event featuring PRCA rodeo performances, a carnival, concerts and mouthwatering fair food. There’s even a farm-to-table brunch on Sunday, July 27.
And next year’s big one!
National Western Stock Show
Dates: January 10-25, 2026
Location: National Western Complex, Denver
Highlights: Family entertainment, including petting farms, pony rides, and dog shows, plus rodeos, livestock shows and the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale. And don’t miss the kick-off to the event: the stock show parade with more than 30 Longhorn cattle walking through the streets of downtown Denver.
