The road to the 2022 ballot is still far from Colorado voters, but agriculture groups are already united in opposition to Initiative 16, the so-called Protect Animals from Unnecessary Suffering and Exploitation, or PAUSE act. There’s no doubt that the extreme changes to Colorado statutes proposed would decimate the state’s second-largest industry- agriculture. Farm and ranch families in Colorado and … Read More
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 … Read More
Colorado natives will tell ya’, it’s okay to leave your holiday light up through January.
Do you consider yourself a Colorado native? If so, you must know about the longstanding tradition between holiday lights and the National Western Stock Show! If you are new to Colorado, listen up. You’re going to want to jump on this Colorado Cowtown bandwagon. So, what is a tradition? The definition reads; a long-established custom or belief that has … Read More
One Scoop at a Time
With 23 professional rodeos and over 100 livestock shows, the National Western Stock Show is home to thousands of different animals during the 16-day event. This means A LOT of poop. In fact, approximately 17,000 yards of manure is hauled off each year! Upon the completion of the 2020 National Western Stock Show, a Colorado-based business, B.O.S.S. Compost, hauls all of … Read More
Fifth Time’s A Charm
This year’s Ram Invitational Freestyle Reining Champion, Sharee Schwartzenberger, is no stranger to horses or the sport.
Longhorn Love
From the second you lay eyes on them, they make their presence known. Their confidence is shown with their heads held high and their horns held higher. The Longhorns are one of the most well-known animals at the National Western Stock Show. Many know them as the official kick-off of Stock Show with the parade in downtown Denver. But what … Read More
Small in Size, Big with Love
From a world of horses, Colorado agriculture, Audra McNicholas is no stranger to the industry. McNicholas was a former Miss Rodeo Colorado in 2009. With her love for horses and her community, she is paving the way for therapy horses in Colorado by restoring love and mental health back into her community. After several years of working with horses, McNicholas … Read More
Grabbing Life by the Horns
Many rodeo athletes have dreamed of a career in the sport since they could walk. For 41-year-old steer wrestler Matt Reeves, life as a rodeo athlete looked a little different when he started out. “I never thought when I was a little kid that I was going to go rodeo for a living,” Reeves said. Originally from Pampa, Texas, Reeves … Read More
Showing Family Values
The National Western Stock Show is the premier livestock show in the United States, and it draws talented competitors from across the nation to contend for glory on the Hill. The variety and intensity found only at national shows is what keeps contestants like 16-year-old Maddie Unruh from Peyton, Colorado coming back.
The 114th National Western Stock Show Opens January 11
January 2, 2020, DENVER, CO – The National Western Stock Show is just one week from the annual Kick-Off Parade presented by Arrow Electronics, launching the 114-year-old Colorado tradition in Denver. The historic Stock Show Parade trots through the streets of downtown Denver next Thursday, January 9, at noon. The procession will be led by parade Grand Marshal, Jake Jabs. The 2020 National … Read More