Cattlemen’s Days

Cattlemen's Days Logo

2027 PRCA RODEO
July 15th, 16th, 17th, 2027

127 Years Strong!

Cattlemen’s Days is the longest running rodeo in Colorado and the 4th longest in the country.

Each year Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days celebrates the rich history and traditions of the ranching culture.  In July, this tradition puts on the “Granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos”, an event staged by our committee, volunteers, and the community for Professional Rodeo Cowboys and Cowgirls and the people who love to watch them.

Golden Circle of Champions Rodeo Night

PRCA Evening Rodeo: Golden Circle of Champions

Thursday, July 15th, 2027
7:00 PM

Golden Circle of Champions! Everybody wear BLACK & GOLD!

Cattlemen's Days Friday Night PRCA Rodeo: Patriot Night.

PRCA Evening Rodeo: Patriot Night

Friday, July 16th, 2027
7:00 PM

Everybody wear RED, WHITE, & BLUE on Patriot Night!

Cattlemen's Days Saturday Night PRCA Rodeo: Gunnison Ranchland Conservancy Legacy Night.

PRCA Evening Rodeo: Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy Night

Saturday, July 17th, 2027
7:00 PM

Bring the whole family!

Sign Ups

Join the action! Be part of the tradition.

2026 signups below are now closed. 

Keeping Tradition Alive

Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo

127 Years Strong

 

Cattlemen's Days LogoWelcome to the 2027 Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo, the longest continuous rodeo in Colorado and the fourth longest in the nation.  From rodeo in the streets in 1900 to the present fairgrounds, we are proud to put on the best showcase of the rich Western history and traditions that made the Gunnison Valley what it is today.  From our dynamic 4H programs, horse shows, entertainment, and parade all the way through the best PRCA rodeo around, Gunnison is the place to be in July!  Nationally recognized as a Top 5 Medium-sized rodeo, Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo brings in the very best cowboys and cowgirls each and every year.  Our award-winning announcer, stock contractor, comedy acts, and others, work together to bring a show you do not want to miss.  We are proud to present 3 nights of rodeo celebrating The Golden Circle of Champions on Thursday, our Patriot Night Rodeo on Friday, and the Ranchland Conservation Legacy Rodeo on Saturday.  We couldn’t do this without our amazing rodeo committee, countless volunteers, and a very supportive community.  These volunteers work tirelessly to provide the best experience for all.

I encourage you to make plans to be in Gunnison in July to be a part of our 127th Cattlemen’s Days Celebration!

Tyler Hanson
President
Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo

 

 

Home Icon Carnival and Ticket Information
Cattlemen's Days Parade

PARADE ENTRIES

Join the Fanfare!

Click here for the parade entry form, times, and regulations.

Cattlemen's Days Horse Show

HORSE SHOW

84 Years of Horsemanship

Put your skills to the test in the Open Horse Show.  Click here for an entry form, fee information, classes, and deadline dates.

2026 Cattlemen's Day Queen Abigail Isham and Jr. Miss Dixie Sponable.

ROYALTY

Cattlemen’s Days Ambassadors

Meet our Queen and her court. Serving as the public face of Cattlemen’s Days
4-H and PRCA rodeo contestants & spectators.

Cattlemen's Days Vendors

VENDORS

Sell your goods at Cattlemen’s Days.

See our vendor information, map, and fill out an application.

Home Icon Parade Marshals

2026 Cattlemen’s Days Parade Marshal

Parade Marshal Rick Barton and his wife, Melva, on a sunny day.

Bull Riding

There is no more exciting and dangerous rodeo event than bull riding.  The cowboy tries to ride a spinning and bucking 2,000-pound bull for 8 seconds. He only gets a flat braided rope in hand and his courage and strength to hold tight.

Rodeo Clowns & Entertainment

You can bet that our rodeo clowns will entertain the crowd, but did you know that they also keep the riders safe? They distract the bull from a fallen rider until the cowboy gets to safety.

Team Roping

This is the only event in rodeo where two cowboys compete together.  The header ropes the steer by the horns, then dallies his rope around his saddle horn to turn the steer to the left. The heeler then ropes the back feet. The event is scored by speed.

Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding

Watch elite athletes ride twisting and bucking horses.  Bareback Riding takes strength and skill as the cowboy tries to ride for 8 seconds. Saddle Bronc Riding uses a special saddle. The cowboy rides for 8 seconds and cannot touch the horse or his equipment with his free hand during the ride. Style counts.

Barrel Racing

A favorite event of rodeo fans!  The rider and her American Quarter Horse race into the arena at over 40 miles per hour. They perform a cloverleaf pattern around 3 steel barrels. Overturning a barrel results in a penalty. Fastest time wins.

Cattlemen's Days 4-H Events

Bring the whole family to see the huge assortment of 4-H projects ranging from animal projects to cake decorating, STEM, and rocketry. 4-H animal projects include showing horses, dogs, rabbits, poultry, swine, market sheep, goats, and cattle. Kids compete in showmanship and demonstrate their knowledge. Support 4-H at the Livestock Buyers Auction!

Watershed Events

Join the fun by competing or cheering on our local cowboys and cowgirls as they participate in watershed events.  Ranch Rodeo, Ranch Sort, Barrel Races, and Team Roping.

Cattlemen’s Days, a Rich Gunnison Valley Tradition

The rodeo started out in the 1800’s between spring calving and summer haying, a time when area ranchers took a break to test their skills with riding and roping contests on Main Street. In the early years, the event added horse races and tried out various names such as Pioneer Days and the Helldorado Stampede. By 1901, the celebration came under the sponsorship of the Gunnison Valley Stockgrowers Association and the rodeo officially adopted the name “Cattlemen’s Days.”

Between 1913 and 1928, the rodeo and race events moved to the campus of Colorado Normal School, now Western State Colorado University, using the school’s track and stands. The celebration moved back downtown from 1929 to 1936. When the Cattlemen’s Days Association was created, it built facilities at the current site.

Check out the Gunnison County Library’s archive of Cattlemen’s Days memorabilia.

Historical Cattlemen's Days Pin
Historical Cattlemen' s Days on Main Street

Cattlemen’s Days
The Granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos

By Doug and Mary Lou Nemanic

Historical Cattlemen's Days Eileen McCartney 1950 Sweetheart of the Rodeo sent in by granddaughter Megan
Historical Cattlemen's Days Cowboys and Horses

What’s Your Cattlemen’s Days Story?

Cattlemen’s Days has been a big part of Gunnison heritage for 126 years.  We are looking for historical photos, videos, and personal recollections of past Cattlemen’s Days events to feature on this website and social media.  There is so much to share! Were you in the parade?  Did you or your kids participate in 4-H events?  Did you watch friends compete?  We want to hear about it! Use our contact form to share your story.

2026 Cattlemen’s Days Schedule

Note: the 2027 schedule will be posted in the spring.

Fri, June 12
9:00 AM: Golden Circle of Champions Golf Tournament

Thu , July 2
Evening: Carnival

Fri, July 3
9:00 AM: 4-H Horse Show
Evening: Carnival

Sat, July 4
1:00 PM: Ranch Rodeo
Evening: Carnival

Sun, July 5
8:00 AM: Open Horse Show
Evening: Carnival

Mon, July 6
9:00 AM: 4-H Dog Show
5:00 PM: Trudy Vader’s Working Ranch Competition
6:00 PM: Cowboy Poetry, Pioneer Museum. Doors Open at 5:30 PM.
6:30 PM: General Projects Review & Awards, Concrete Room

Tues, July 7
6:00 PM: Mini Broncs & Mini Bulls. Women’s Bronc Riding Follows.
Doors open at 4:30 PM

Wed, July 8 
8:30 AM: 4-H Rabbit Show
10:30 AM: 4-H Poultry Show, Rubber Room
5:00 PM: Barrel Racing
6:00 PM: Watershed Team Roping

Thu, July 9
9:00 AM: Slack
10:00 AM: 4-H & FFA Swine Show, Rubber Room
2:30 PM: 4-H & FFA Sheep Show, Rubber Room
7:00 PM PRCA Rodeo | Golden Circle of Champions Rodeo
9:30 PM: Concert at 5B’s BBQ, Live Music

Fri, July 10
8:30 AM: 4-H & FFA Goat Show, Rubber Room
10:30 AM: 4-H & FFA Cattle Show, Rubber Room
1:30 PM: 4-H & FFA Round Robin Showmanship
7:00 PM: PRCA Rodeo | Patriot Night Rodeo
8:30 PM: Drone Show & Arena After Party, FREE Admission

Sat, July 11
10:00 AM: Cattlemen’s Days Parade, Downtown Gunnison
12:30 PM: 4-H Junior Livestock Buyer’s BBQ, $20/person at the door
1:30 PM: 4-H Junior Livestock Auction, Rubber Room
5:30 PM: Queen’s Informational Meeting
7:00 PM: PRCA Rodeo | Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Rodeo
9:00 PM: Rodeo Round-Up Block Party at Sage Grouse Lounge

Sun, July 12
9:00 AM: Cowboy Church, Paragon Schoolhouse at the Pioneer Museum – showing “The American Cowboy”

Drop Us a Line

Don’t be shy. Let us know if you have any questions!

Contact Us