Cattlemen’s Days

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2024 PRCA RODEO
July 11th, 12th, 13th, 2024

124 Years Strong!  Each year Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days celebrates the rich history and traditions of the ranching culture.  Each 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.

Cattlemens Days Schedule

Schedule

Cattlemen’s Days Events: Cattlemen’s Days Rodeos, 4-H & FFA, Watershed, Horse Show, Parade, and Carnival dates.

Cattlemens Days Tickets

Tickets

Step right up and get your Cattlemen’s Days Tickets!  Online and in-person options. Carnival info. Tickets go on sale in June.

Cattlemens Days Parade Entries

Parade Entries

Join the fun! Enter your float or group in the Cattlemen’s Days Parade.  Entries open in May.

Cattlemens Days Vendor Entries

Vendors

Vendors, sell your goods at Cattlemen’s Days.  Click here for an application and information.

Keeping Tradition Alive

Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo

124 Years Strong

 

Cattlemen's Days LogoWelcome to the 2024 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 Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink 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 124th Cattlemen’s Days Celebration!

2023 Ticket Info Red 0324TeaserBrad Tutor
President
Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo

 

 

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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

83 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.

2024 Cattlemen's Days Royalty

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.

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Cattlemen's Days Vendors

VENDORS

Sell your goods at Cattlemen’s Days.

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

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#1 PRCA Tough Enough to Wear Pink Rodeo

#1 TETWP Rodeo in the country!  Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough To Wear Pink (TETWP) is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to our community in the fight against breast cancer.

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.

Home Icon Parade Marshals tilted2023 Cattlemen’s Days
Parade Marshals

2023 Parade Marshals Joe Dixon and Dave McLain
Joe & Pamela Dixon and Dave & LaDonna McLain

Read more…

Cattlemen’s Days Social Networks

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 over 120 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.

2024 Cattlemen's Days

Final schedule will be posted late spring.

JULY  - 4-H Horse Show

JULY - Ranch Rodeo (auction prior)

JULY - Open Horse Show

JULY - 4-H Dog Show, 4-H General Projects Awards Review

JULY - Cowboy Poetry at the I-Bar

JULY  - 4-H General Projects displayed at Fairgrounds

JULY  - Watershed Barrel Races

JULY  - 4-H Rabbit Show

JULY  - Evening Carnival

JULY  - Pioneer Banquet at the Elks Lodge

JULY  - PRCA Rodeo Slack

JULY  - 4-H & FFA Swine Show

JULY  - 4-H & FFA Sheep Show

JULY 11th - PRCA #1 TETWP Rodeo

JULY  - 4-H & FFA Goat Show

JULY  - 4-H & FFA Cattle Show

JULY  - 4-H & FFA Round Robin Showmanship

JULY 12th - PRCA Patriot Night Rodeo

JULY 13th - Cattlemen's Days Parade

JULY 13th - Buyers BBQ, Scholarship, Cattlemen's Junior Livestock Auction

JULY 13th - PRCA Gunnison Ranchland Legacy Rodeo

JULY 14th - Cowboy  Church at the Fairgrounds

Brochure CoverPrintable Schedule of Events Coming Soon (PDF)

 

Drop Us a Line

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

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