History:

The Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo Royalty (Queen, Princess, & Jr. Miss) serves as ambassadors for the Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo & Fair. The Royalty represents Cattlemen’s Days as well as the community with the highest level of poise and integrity. Each lady recognizes the importance of promoting and preserving the Western Heritage in the Gunnison Valley. Cattlemen’s Days is the longest consecutively running Rodeo in Colorado, with this year being the 127^th year, thanks to the incredible individuals on the Cattlemen’s Days Committee and those preserving the Western Heritage in the Gunnison Valley.

 Who can compete:

 Any Gunnison County- including the Upper Watershed (Gunnison, portions of Hinsdale County, and portions of Saguache County)- Lady between the ages of 8 to 24 as of January 1^st of the Reigning Year.

• A Cattlemen’s Day Royalty Title may be held twice, with a ‘Gap year’ in between reins. If the young lady wins the title a second time she is agreeing and committing to an Exhibition at the Miss Rodeo Colorado Preliminary Pageant held in the Spring of her reigning year.
• All title holders must live in or have a permanent address in the Gunnison Watershed District, those attending college in other locations still qualify as long as they are willing and able to meet their Royalty Requirements.

Women must not be married or have ever been married, and they cannot be a mother or become pregnant during their reign.

Cattlemen’s Days Queen- She is no less than 16 years of age and no more than 24 years of age as of January 1st, 2027.

Cattlemen’s Days Princess- She is no less than 12 years of age and no more than 15 years of age as of January 1st, 2027.

Cattlemen’s Days Jr. Miss- She is no less than 8 years of age and no more than 11 years of age as of January 1st, 2027.

*Please read Code of Conduct and Handbook for requirements & commitments

The term of reign is for the duration, beginning on August 30th, 2026 to August 30th, 2027.

Tryout Itinerary

Sunday, August 30th, 2026, 9:00 am
Gunnison County Rodeo Grounds
Draw for Order in each category is done the day before and posted 

9:00 am – Huddle for introductions & questions in the South end of Grandstands

9:15 am – Horsemanship with horsemanship interview

• 2026 Queen Sets Pattern for Queen Contestants + Showing at end of Pattern where to ride to and facilitate horsemanship interview with judges
• 2027 Queen Contestants to Follow in Draw Order (done day before & posted)
• (Same Order for Princess & Junior Miss)
• Queen Wave Laps- Following 2026 Queen into Arena

10:45 – 11:00 am Break/Regroup/Change if contestants would like

11:00 am –  Personal Interviews in Draw Order

• Queen Contestants
• Princess Contestants
• Junior Miss Contestants

12:00 pm- Lunch with impromptu questions x2/3

• Queen + Contestants
• Princess + Contestants
• Junior Miss + Contestants

Once the morning events have concluded, the contestants and royalty committee will meet to talk about logistics of the Coronation Event. Contestants will return to the Fred Field Cement room by 4:30 to assist with the event, participate in the fashion show and answer one last impromptu questions during dinner.

Results will be tallied after Dinner

Announcement of 2027 Cattlemen’s Days Royalty

Signing of Contracts

All times are approximate; depending on the number of contestants the times may be altered appropriately.

Online Royalty Application

Entry Deadline is August 16th, 2026, Midnight
Entries will not be accepted after this date.
NO EXCEPTIONS! If not using the online application, the application must be emailed to cattlemensdaysrodeoroyalty@gmail.com

Thank you for your participation. Let’s have some FUN!