Pull out your boots and hats for these hard ridin’ summer events

By Eric Peterson

Summer is the season for rodeos stretching from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope. Thousands of contestants, including members of Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) as well as youth, working cowboys, and assorted amateurs, compete in barrel racing, bull riding, team roping, and all of the other heart-thumping staples.

According to Megan Winterfeldt, exhibits and collections coordinator for the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy in Colorado Springs, the PRCA helped grow the sport’s professional stature and increased sponsorship dollars. “The PRCA is still considered the elite of rodeo,” she said. Founded in 1936, Winterfeldt said the PRCA moved to Colorado in 1951 and has helped retain the Western heritage. Saddle up for this list of summer events.

Colorado Stampede

May 23-25, Grand Junction
Originally held from the 1950s to the 1990s, the Western Slope event has been revived at the Mesa County Fairgrounds as of 2024. The first year of the comeback drew more than 300 contestants, a good sign for the future of the event.

Granby Rodeo Saturdays

from June 7-July 27 and July 4-6, Granby
Held at the Flying Heels Arena since 1969, this event spans late spring and early summer weekends with weekly junior and open rodeos. Each rodeo day includes special events like the Motorcycle Barrel Race that’s been a Granby Rodeo tradition for decades.

Evergreen Rodeo

June 14-15, Evergreen
Established in 1966, this Father’s Day weekend event includes a Saturday morning parade and PRCA competitions after a kickoff party at the one and only Little Bear on Friday night.

Greeley Stampede

June 25-July 6, Greeley
One of the West’s largest and oldest rodeos, the Greeley Stampede attracts around 500,000 spectators every summer. Beyond the rodeo, there are concerts, parades, an art show, and a demolition derby. More than $500,000 in prize money is available to the winners.

Deer Trail Rodeo

July, Deer Trail
Nicknamed “Home of the World’s First Rodeo,” (a claim that has been disputed in recent years) the Eastern Plains town of Deer Trail has been hosting its flagship summer event since 1869. Back then, local ranchers brought their horses and other livestock for the competition and the winner got a new change of clothes and bragging rights. Today, it’s pure Americana.

Gay Rodeo

July 2-11, Aurora
The Colorado Gay Rodeo Association launched in 1981, after Charlie’s opened in Denver, with gay country music and dancing events. Today, the organization hosts year-round events, culminating in two weeks of rodeo events at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. The group also hosts mini rodeos and other events at Charlie’s Nightclub in Denver.

High Country Stampede Rodeo

Saturdays from July 5-August 16, Fraser
Featuring seven themed events on summer Saturdays, the High Country Stampede is a Grand County tradition. Each night features a barbecue dinner and ice cream, and the Sponsor Appreciation Night (July 26) concludes with a country-and-western dance.

Rooftop Rodeo | Photo by Avid Visual Imagery, LLC

Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park

July 5-10, Estes Park
Since 1941, Estes Park has commemorated its 7,500-foot altitude and Western heritage with the Rooftop Rodeo. The event comes at the end of the PRCA’s busiest season and often attracts stars looking to cool down after competing in the heat. “It remains popular in part because it falls during ‘Cowboy Christmas’ — the time around the Fourth of July when cowboys can go to multiple rodeos per day,” Winterfeldt said.

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

July 8-12, Colorado Springs
Rodeo contestants have helped Colorado Springs celebrate its pioneer heritage at this event since 1937. Now held at the Norris Penrose Equestrian Center, the event’s marquee National Finals Rodeo Open attracts more than 200 contestants from all over North America. Up to $1 million in prize money is on the line, so expect to see some of the best in the business.

Cattlemen’s Days

July 10-12, Gunnison
Since 1900, Gunnison has celebrated its cowboy culture with this annual PRCA rodeo. The PRCA features 700 sanctioned rodeos each year. Now held at the Fred Field Center, Cattlemen’s Days includes numerous rodeo events, a livestock auction and a carnival.

Logan County Fair & Rodeo

July 24-August 3, Sterling
Held since the late 1800s, the Logan County Fair & Rodeo is one of the biggest annual events in northeastern Colorado. It now includes youth and PRCA rodeos, with bull riding, a carnival, concert, and a demolition derby.

Douglas County Fair & Rodeo

July 25-August 3, Castle Rock
With four rodeos that are part of the PRCA’s Playoff Series, the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo has been going strong since 1918. The weeklong event also features a carnival and Friday night concert.

Colorado State Fair & Rodeo

August 22-September 1, Pueblo
The Colorado State Fair has been a late summer tradition since 1872. The schedule includes four nights of PRCA rodeo events (August 23-26) as well as concerts, a carnival, and a wide range of agriculture and arts competitions.