Volunteer Program
The mission of the National Western Volunteer Program is to assist management and staff of the National Western in providing top quality service for exhibitors, patrons, and guests in the continued effort to be the top combination livestock show, horse show and rodeo in the world. We are a year round facility and often shows renting our facility request National Western volunteers to assist with their shows.
Volunteers have the opportunity to volunteer in many areas including the Kids Activity Pavilion, Coors Western Art Room, Guest Services, Horse and Livestock Show, Educational Programs, Information Booths, Photography, Ticket Taking, Administrative Support and many other special events during the year. Click below to learn more about the volunteer service areas, requirements and benefits.
Come learn more about the National Western Stock Show volunteer program by attending the orientation on Saturday, January 4, 2020. More information will be sent after filling out a volunteer application HERE
If you are 16 years and older and interested in becoming a new National Western Volunteer then join us at one of our Volunteer Orientations held in March, June and October to learn about the volunteer program, its mission and meet current volunteers. You will also find out how to become a year-round volunteer and talk with staff and volunteers about the many volunteer opportunities available to you. More details on the orientation will be sent after filling out a volunteer application.
Student Volunteers
Student volunteers ages 16 and up, (high school and college) are only required to provide 2 day and 2 evening shifts or 4 evening shifts during the Stock Show in January. Be sure to select “student volunteer” on your volunteer application.
Fill out a NEW Volunteer application hereLocal business and club volunteer opportunities
We have opportunities for companies and clubs who would like to volunteer for a day. Please contact the Director of Volunteer Services, klombardi@nationalwestern.com
AMES ACTIVITY PAVILION – There are a wide variety of kids activities in the Big Top heated tent. We emphasis the NWSS Mission of preserving the western lifestyle through the children’s point of view. The programs are designed for animal education, entertainment, and agriculture. Some of the activities are Top Hogs, stick horse rodeos, tractor pedal races, sheep shearing, super dogs pat and chat. Duties include helping with the set up, checking in kids, cheering them on, crowd control and changing the floor layout for the specific shows. Some lifting might be involved or other lighter weight duties are available. Activities are scheduled seven days a week throughout the days, so hours are flexible.
COORS WESTERN ART EXHIBIT AND SALE – This dynamic group of volunteers are the work force that staff the art gallery for the nationally recognized Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale. Volunteers in this area greet and work with artists, and the public and are responsible for art sales, and the daily operations of the gallery. No art background is required. Volunteers will work with a team including NWSS staff, the show Curator, and senior volunteers to share this extraordinary exhibit with guests. Details of the day-to-day functions will be covered during volunteer training sessions. Extra training will be required for volunteers working in this area. [ 
HORSE SHOW – Horse show volunteers provide support to the NWSS staff, horse show exhibitors and guests for horse show events through various positions and areas. Volunteer assistance is vital to ensuring horse show operations are smooth and provide a positive experience for guests, vendors, sponsors and horse show exhibitors alike. They assist with arena and paddock gates, doors, gators, arrivals and check in, In The Barn experience, hospitality, awards, event set up and ticketed special event
INCIDENT REPORTING – The Incident Reporting group provides assistance to NWSS staff by responding to and preparing detailed reports on incidents, which include personal injuries, property damage, vehicle accidents and thefts. You will be working with NWSS staff, Denver Police Officers, Paramedics, livestock exhibitors, commercial vendors, the general public, as well as other Incident Reporting team members. This job involves responding to incidents within the entire NWSS complex, including all parking lots, as well as the Coliseum in a timely manner. Extensive walking will be involved and may be for extended periods during the entire shift in all weather conditions. Must be detail oriented, a team player, empathetic to people in stressful situations, and possess superior customer service skills. Ability to function in stressful situations and remaining calm is crucial.
INFORMATION BOOTHS –
LIVESTOCK -volunteers are vital to the success of all the livestock events by helping to direct and control flow of livestock and people. During the processing of Junior Livestock volunteers help with the collection of samples for testing to assure fair competition among exhibitors. They are the liaisons between the National Western, the exhibitors and guests of the 100’s of events.
LOCAL RODEO ROYALTY – Local Rodeo Royalty (LRR) volunteers are current fair and rodeo titleholders across Colorado. The primary goals of this program are to promote the National Western Stock Show, their organization, rodeo, and youth development. The duties vary from assisting at children’s activities, ribbon presentations, meet and greet NWSS guests and more.
PHOTO & VIDEO SUPPORT – If you have been a fan of the National Western Stock Show and wish to enjoy the show from a different aspect come volunteer with the Photo & Video Support Group! Many volunteers are needed to capture both still and video images, help with image reviewing, and to assist with administrative duties. You can take a look at our Task Guide to see if volunteering with the Photo & Video Support Group is for you.
PONY TRAILS – Share your passion! Be a part of the past, present and future of the horse industry by sharing your passion for horses in the Pony Trails hands-on learning area. This ever evolving exhibit has interactive stations for all ages! Some stations are correlated with the Colo. Dept. of Ed. State Standards and the Developmental Assets Framework. Meet special guests (Thunder, the Denver Mounted Patrol). Learn about different breeds/disciplines. Meet other equestrians, exhibitors and performers. We promise you will learn something new.
SCHOOL VISITS – Part of the National Western’s mission is to educate youth in agriculture and the School Visits program is a crucial part of obtaining and preserving this mission. Volunteer help ensure a positive visit for students and teachers by greeting busses delivering thousands of students to the Stock Show, assist in organizing and preparing the classes for a smooth departure and providing guidance and direction to classes as they tour the Stock Show grounds.
SPONSOR LOUNGE – The sponsor lounge is a designated space for corporate partners and media to take a break from the trade show floor and enjoy a quiet, comfortable setting. Light refreshments are served throughout the day. The responsibility of the host is to warmly greet sponsors and media, sign them in, let them know that limited refreshments are available and provide information on WIFI access. It is a very quiet setting, but incredibly valuable to the sponsorship and media team.
TICKET TAKERS – Ticket Takers are the smiles that greet visitors coming in from the cold. Be one of the first to welcome Guests to the sights, sounds, and…smells of the National Western.
TRADE SHOW – 
VIP DRIVERS – The primary duty of a VIP Driver is to transport Judges, Royalty and other passengers to and from destinations in a comfortable, safe and efficient manner.
VOLUNTEER CENTER – The Volunteer Center is the hub for all volunteer operations during the Stock Show. Positions are available for Greeters and Radio Dispatch.Greeters love to smile and have fun saying “howdy” when checking in volunteers! They assist with general volunteer questions, answering phone questions from the public, and some clerical tasks. Radio Dispatch volunteers maintain radio communications to ensure proper response to all types of fun questions.Sign up now for the 2020 NWSS Volunteer Program!
Contact Us
National Western Stock Show
Attn: Volunteer Program
4655 Humboldt St.
Denver, CO 80216