Cattlemen's Days

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2023 PRCA RODEO
July 13th, 14th, 15th, 2023

123 Years Strong. Cattlemen’s Days celebrates the Cowboy in Us All!  Each July, the ranching culture of the Gunnison Valley struts its stuff in the “Granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos,” an event staged by the community for PRCA competitors and the people who love to watch them.

 

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Keeping Tradition Alive

The Best “Small Town-Big Time” Rodeo

The Cowboy in Us All CD FlagAfter 123 years of Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo, we keep bucking roping and riding, celebrating the long- kept traditions of ranching, and the western way of life in the Gunnison Valley. Known as the granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos, our Cattlemen’s Days Committee, community, volunteers, athletes, and livestock are proud to welcome you to the 2023 Cattlemen’s Days celebration! This year’s theme is “The Cowboy in Us All”.

Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days is the best “small town-big time” rodeo with the #1 Tough Enough to Wear Pink (TETWP) Rodeo in the PRCA. TETWP has been part of the Gunnison Valley for 18 years now, each year adding meaning to “small town-big time”. Through our events and concerts, the big-time talent and unmatched community support, Gunnison TETWP is a one-of-a-kind organization, comparable to few programs around the world. Thank you for helping us bring comprehensive cancer support to this community, including, education, prevention, financial assistance, and a long list of patient support programs- not just for breast cancer, but for all cancers.

One tradition over the years that Cattlemen’s Days proudly upholds are the awards of college and youth scholarships, encouraging students in their pursuits, and honoring the next generation that keeps our ranching traditions alive.

2023 Ticket InfoCheck out YOUR rodeo this year on the “Hometown Rodeo” series on the Cowboy Channel, featuring the top cowboys, cowgirls, stock, and specialty acts in the PRCA.  123 years of rodeo would not be possible without our hundreds of volunteers that make every event a success to add to our history. Our hats go off to all of them in heartfelt thanks!

Keep the traditions alive! Let’s Rodeo Gunnison!

Mike Dawson
President
Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days Committee

 

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Cattlemen's Days Parade

PARADE ENTRIES

Join the Fanfare!

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

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Cattlemen's Days Horse Show

HORSE SHOW

82 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.

2023 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.

#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.

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Parade Marshals

2022 Parade Marshals
Linda Gazzoli, Matt Robbins, and Steve Williams

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 a friend get bucked off in mutton bustin’ or a bull ride?  We want to hear about it! Use our contact form to share your story.

2023 Cattlemen's Days

JULY 4th - TETWP Pinkapalooza Concert at I-Bar

JULY 6th - TETWP Songwriter Shuffle Concert

JULY 7th - 4-H Horse Show

JULY 8th - Ranch Rodeo (auction prior)

JULY 9th - Open Horse Show

JULY 10th - 4-H Dog Show, 4-H General Projects Awards Review

JULY 10th - Cowboy Poetry at the I-Bar

JULY 11th - 15th - 4-H General Projects displayed at Fairgrounds

JULY 11th - Watershed Barrel Races

JULY 12th - 4-H Rabbit Show

JULY 12th - Watershed Team Roping

JULY 12th - 15th - Evening Carnival

JULY 12th - Pioneer Banquet at the Elks Lodge

JULY 13th - PRCA Rodeo Slack

JULY 13th - 4-H & FFA Swine Show

JULY 13th - 4-H & FFA Sheep Show

JULY 13th - PRCA #1 TETWP Rodeo

JULY 13th - Parking Lot Party at 5B's Barbeque - Live Music

JULY 14th - 4-H & FFA Goat Show

JULY 14th - 4-H & FFA Cattle Show

JULY 14th - 4-H & FFA Round Robin Showmanship

JULY 14th - PRCA Patriot Night Rodeo

JULY 15th - Cattlemen's Days Parade

JULY 15th - Buyers BBQ, Scholarship, Cattlemen's Junior Livestock Auction

JULY 15th - PRCA Gunnison Ranchland Legacy Rodeo

JULY 16th - Cowboy  Church at the Fairgrounds

2023 Cattlemens Days Official Schedule Poster

Download a Printable Schedule of Events
(PDF Coming Summer of 2023)

Drop Us a Line

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

The Cowboy in Us All CD Flag