Denver, CO – The National Western Stock Show, presented by CommonSpirit Health, proudly announces Sharon Magness Blake as the 2025 Citizen of the West. This prestigious award recognizes those who embody the spirit and determination of the Western pioneer – a true representative of Western lifestyle, ideals, agricultural heritage, and traditions. A committee of community leaders selects recipients.
Magness Blake is an equine enthusiast, entrepreneur, and philanthropic leader. Her love and knowledge of Arabian horses helped grow Magness Racing Ventures to 900 animals sold worldwide at its peak. Its most famous product was Thunder, who served as the Denver Broncos mascot that led the team onto the field starting in 1993. That tradition continues today with Thunder IV.
Magness Blake is currently the president of the Thunder Foundation; her business ventures also include her partnership in the renowned Denver caterer the Epicurean Group.
While her philanthropic efforts have been many, Magness Blake’s most prominent efforts have revolved around her cofounding and longtime leadership of Western Fantasy for Volunteers of America (VOA). Over three decades, the event and Magness Blake’s own generous contributions have raised more than $36 million for VOA. In 2024, the national arm of the organization bestowed on her its first-ever Transformative Philanthropy Award, which henceforth will be named in her honor.
While her philanthropic efforts have been many, Magness Blake’s most prominent efforts have revolved around her cofounding and longtime leadership of Western Fantasy for Volunteers of America (VOA). Over three decades, the event and Magness Blake’s own generous contributions have raised more than $36 million for VOA. In 2024, the national arm of the organization bestowed on her its first-ever Transformative Philanthropy Award, which henceforth will be named in her honor.
The alternative weekly Westword has described Magness Blake as “Denver’s go-to woman for those in need.” Among her honors have included the 2011 Mizel Community Enrichment Award, which the Denver Post described this way: “How does one even begin to thank Sharon Magness Blake for having raised at least $50 million for local charities? Giving her the Mizel Museum Community Enrichment Award is a nice start.” Since that time, Magness Blake has continued raising money for local a host of charitable causes, and that figure now tops $100 million.
She served on the boards of the University of Colorado Hospital Foundation, the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation, Volunteers of America, the Denver Art Museum, the University of Denver, the National Cable Television Center and Museum, Wings Over the Rockies, and the Denver Council of the Boy Scouts of America for which she chaired the annual Sports Breakfast.
Over the years, Magness Blake has chaired or co-chaired numerous events and galas, including National Repertory Orchestra’s Summer Gala, Susan G. Komen’s Pink Tie Affair, and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Gala. She also helped to orchestrate the Garth Brooks’s concert for the Denver Health Foundation’s annual event, and she organizes the Denver Broncos’ annual holiday party for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. She also co-founded Men for the Cure’s annual event steak-and-cigar dinner.
Magness Blake is a Trustee for the National Western Stock Show and serves on the Honoring the Legacy Capital Campaign Committee.
The widow of cable pioneer Bob Magness, Magness Blake has been married to retired attorney and former Breckenridge mayor Ernie Blake since 2004. They reside in Cherry Hills Village.
Magness Blake’s leadership and generosity have enriched the West in countless ways. She embodies all the qualities befitting a great Citizen of the West. Please join us in honoring her as the 2025 Citizen of the West.
Magness Blake will be honored as the 46th Citizen of the West during the annual award dinner on January 13, 2025. Proceeds from the event support the National Western Scholarship Trust, awarding 100 scholarships to students attending colleges and universities in Colorado and Wyoming for agricultural science, rural medicine, or veterinary medicine studies.
To purchase tickets for the 2025 Citizen of the West event honoring Sharon Magness Blake, please contact Erika Schroeder at 303-299-5560 or [email protected].
About the National Western Stock Show
Established in 1906, the National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate-level scholarships in agricultural science, business, and rural medicine. Our mission is to serve producers and consumers worldwide by being the premier annual livestock show and center for year-round events. The 16-day show in January also serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular-season professional rodeos, world-class horse shows, family educational events, and Colorado’s largest western trade show. For more information, visit nationalwestern.com.