What is Initiative 16 (PAUSE act) and why should it matter to you?
What is Initiative 16?
Initiative 16 is a citizen-led ballot initiative that:
Criminalizes farmers, ranchers, and veterinarians who use accepted animal husbandry practices to care for animals.
Changes state statutory language to define common animal care practices as “cruelty to animals.”
Bans slaughter for animals that have lived less than 25 percent of their “natural” lifespan.
Criminalizes the following veterinary and animal husbandry practices: spaying and neutering, birthing assistance, reproductive practices (artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, fertility testing), etc.
Eliminates accepted animal husbandry practices, opening the door to animal cruelty prosecution for common and basic practices such as feeding, sheltering, and transportation.
What is National Western’s Official Position?
The National Western Stock Show is firmly against proposition 16! We’ve joined with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Farm Bureau, state agricultural leaders, and their organizations to oppose Initiative 16 (the PAUSE act). Alongside our Colorado ag and livestock partners, National Western will use all necessary influence, in every political circle, to see that the measure is defeated. Agriculture is the backbone of the NWSS since 1906 and we will continue to protect its vitality here in Colorado.
City of Denver to issue remaining bonds to complete phases 1 & 2 of National Western Center
This week, the City of Denver announced the issuance of the remaining bonds needed to complete phases 1 & 2 of the
National Western Center — phases 1 & 2 include the Yards and Stock Yards Event Center (open for Stock Show 2022!) along with the Livestock and Equestrian Centers. This allows us to complete the Legacy Building, which will connect to the Livestock Center.
This is great news! With the final funding of phases 1 & 2, we can get to work on building the Livestock Center and Equestrian Centers. Shoutout to all of the Honoring the Legacy donors who have kept this project moving forward. Like our latest donor, the Witwer family, who will be a permanent part of the campus as the Stow L. Witwer Memorial Show Arena, located in the Stock Yards Event Center — open for the 2022 show!
DENVER, CO – The National Western Stock Show is proud to announce Ron Williams as the 2022 Citizen of the West. This prestigious annual award recognizes those who embody Western pioneers’ spirit and determination and perpetuate their agricultural heritage and ideals. A committee of community leaders selects recipients.
Mr. Williams has been selected for this esteemed honor. Still, in light of the 2021 National Western Stock Show postponement, he will receive the award at a dinner in January 2022 at the National Western Events Center. Proceeds from the event support 100 scholarships the National Western Scholarship Trust awards annually to students that attend colleges and universities in Colorado and Wyoming and major in Agricultural Science, Rural Medicine or Veterinary Medicine.
Ron Williams is a respected leader in business, education, civic, and philanthropic communities. He has made many contributions to the community through his long-standing service and financial commitments. Mr. Williams’ contributions are indelible across Colorado and to the future of the National Western Stock Show. [ read more ]
National Western Stock Show Gives Back with 16 Days of Service
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2021
DENVER, CO – The National Western Stock Show complex and grounds looks very different this January. It is usually bustling with cowboy boots and horse trailers, now just empty parking lots and barn stalls. Back in September, Stock Show management made the difficult decision to postpone the National Western Stock Show by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to resume the event in January 2022.
With an open January schedule for only the second time in Stock Show history, the staff and management decided to apply the extra time and energy as an opportunity to give back to fellow non-profits and serve in the community initiating the Stock Show 16 Days of Service.
Press Release: The 115th National Western Stock Show postponed until January 2022
September 14, 2020
Denver, CO – The Western Stock Show Association (WSSA) Board of Directors together with the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) management, has made the difficult decision to postpone the 115th National Western Stock Show by one year and to resume the event in January 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic does not allow for the Stock Show to host the annual event and comply with the health and safety guidelines that are necessary to protect Coloradans and help stop the spread. More importantly, the projected environment through to the end of the year is too uncertain and therefore not reassuring enough to allow a traditional Stock Show to take place without potentially compromising the health and safety of exhibitors, visitors, and the public at large.
Local Beef: Ever wondered about purchasing beef directly from a rancher? The Colorado Beef Council put together a great resource of local ranchers selling direct to the consumer. Need help with how much to purchase or what cuts to get? They’ve got the answers to that as well! [More Info: https://www.cobeef.com/ ]
Farmers Markets: The best place to get locally grown, fresh veggies is from a Farmers Market. Check out this list from Visit Denver and find a market near you! [ More Info: https://www.denver.org/ ]
Honoring the Legacy, Building the Future
The National Western Center redevelopment will be a multi-phase project involving an array of road and rail infrastructure improvements, a revitalization of the South Platte River and the establishment of a Colorado State University academic center, among them.
The Honoring the Legacy campaign focuses on four core National Western facilities: the Legacy Building, the Livestock Center, the Yards and the Equestrian Center.
The expansion and development of these new facilities will greatly enhance the visitor experience, provide the capacity to host a wider array of events throughout the year, and support increased attendance at other National Western Center facilities, both existing and future.
October 4, 2019
PRESS RELEASE: DENVER PUBLIC ART SEEKS QUALIFIED ARTISTS FOR NATIONAL WESTERN CENTER COMMISSION
The City and County of Denver is pleased to announce a National Western Center Denver Public Art commission.
The City of Denver’s Public Art Program seeks to commission an artist or artist team to create original works of art for the two South Platte River Bridges connecting the new National Western Center (NWC) campus and Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods with the Globeville neighborhood.
The two bridges present a unique opportunity for an immersive art experience; the panel is seeking two and three-dimensional artwork and components, including lighting designs and architecturally integrated creations, that tell the story of the National Western Center’s history and future vision, as well as reflecting the socioeconomic past, present and future of the site.
The National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas. As many as 80 scholarships are funded every year through our Scholarship Program.{click here} to learn more about our program and help support our cause.
BE IN THE KNOW. Join our E-News Club Today!
As an E-News Subscriber, you will get special promotion offers, inside NWSS news and updates about Stock Show throughout the year. You also get Rodeo All-Star offers and news as well as upcoming events at the NW Complex. Don’t miss out, join today!
What is National Western’s Official Position?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2021
Local Beef: Ever wondered about purchasing beef directly from a rancher? The Colorado Beef Council put together a great resource of local ranchers selling direct to the consumer. Need help with how much to purchase or what cuts to get? They’ve got the answers to that as well! [More Info: 
Farmers Markets: The best place to get locally grown, fresh veggies is from a Farmers Market. Check out this list from Visit Denver and find a market near you! [ More Info: 
National Western Center Latest News
The National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agriculture and medicine for practice in rural areas. As many as 80 scholarships are funded every year through our Scholarship Program.
As an E-News Subscriber, you will get special promotion offers, inside NWSS news and updates about Stock Show throughout the year. You also get Rodeo All-Star offers and news as well as upcoming events at the NW Complex. Don’t miss out, join today!
