Rodeo

Three rodeos feature the best, amateur and professional contestants in the traditional cowboy skills of roping and riding.

The High Country Stampede Rodeo makes the Old West come alive with local and regional cowboys, cowgirls and the ever-popular rodeo clowns. The rodeo is held every Saturday, July 2 through August 13, rain or shine – the stands are covered. Free parking. John Work Arena, one mile west of Fraser at County Road 73. Rodeo starts at 7pm, Junior Rodeo 4pm. 800-903-7275, (970) 726-4118,
www.highcountrystampede.com.

The Flying Heels Arena just south of Granby on US Hwy 40 hosts the Granby Rodeo Series July 2-3 at 7pm. Rodeo includes a performance by the famous precision mounted horseback riding Westernaires. Fireworks at 9:30pm. (970) 887-2311, www.granbyrodeo.com.

Rodeo season ends with the Middle Park Fair and Rodeo. Western events with chili cook-offs, cattle auction, merchandise vendors, food concessions and, of course, rodeos. Free admission to the fair Tuesday-Thursday. Aug. 2-5. Aug. 5, live music and demolition derby, general admission $10, pit pass $25. Aug. 6, family day, $5 includes kids games. Buyers’ steak fry, 5pm; Jr. livestock sale, 7pm. Aug.7, rodeo $7. Middle Park Fairgrounds, 11th and Eagle Ave., Kremmling. Call CSU Extension
(970) 724-3436, www.middleparkfairandrodeo.com.

Check It Out—A Real Stagecoach

Cozens Ranch Museum, on US Hwy 40 between Winter Park and Fraser, has a full-size replica of the stagecoach which ran from Georgetown to Hot Sulphur Springs from 1876 to 1905. Cozens Ranch was built in 1875. Open Tues.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5, (970) 726-5488. The Grand County Museum in Hot Sulphur Springs on Hwy 40 has a skiing display of the beginnings of the ski industry that started in Hot Sulphur Springs.

The Stetson, Symbol of the West

The hats worn by early trappers and gold seekers were often flea-infested coonskin caps. John Stetson changed all that. Somewhere in Colorado, Stetson, who had learned the hat trade in his father’s shop in the East, began experimenting making headgear that would protect him from the wind, sun, rain and snow. He took untanned hides of rabbit, muskrat and coyote and, through the art of felting, turned the hides into the soft felt used in hats. This hat had a wide brim to keep out the elements and he gave it a waterproof lining so it could double as a water bucket. The finished hat had a 6-inch-high crown and a 7-inch brim. The hat could carry a half-gallon of water but acquired the nickname, the 10-gallon hat.

The Rodeo, a Western Tradition

The rodeo in the West dates back to the 1870s and has its roots in working ranch competitions during roundup. The chores on a ranch developed into the rodeo events of today: calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding. Other events such as bareback bronc riding and bull riding showcase the rider’s style and skill. Both cowboys and cowgirls take part in rodeos. (Cowgirls have competed in rodeos since 1904.) Women excel in barrel racing since the competition is judged on horseback riding skills, not strength. Today, three rodeos in Grand County feature the best local amateur and professional cowboy contestants.