Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Keeps the Western Spirit Alive

The spirit of the West runs deep in Colorado, and Colorado Springs has a full schedule of rodeos and Western heritage events each year. From the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the Western Street Breakfast to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Flying W Ranch Chuckwagon suppers, there are many opportunities to break out the boots and hats and honor the Western lifestyle. But come summer, the rodeos take center stage, and the biggest marquee event is the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

This year, Pikes Peak or Bust takes place July 8-12 at the Norris Penrose Event Center. More than 200 contestants from 12 U.S. and Canadian Circuits, plus national champions from Mexico will compete for over $1 million in payouts in events such as bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding and more. It’s one of the largest rodeos in the country in terms of prize money and demands an important spot on the road to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December.

Cory Wall knows that these events are unique to the style and people of their community. As the general manager of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, several other Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeos and a former professional rodeo bullfighter, he knows that rodeo has to showcase the sport and entertain attendees.

“With eight events during every performance, there’s a lot of different things that folks get to see,” Wall says. “Sit back and enjoy, because the scenery changes every 12 minutes. There’s so much action in the arena, fans will only need their phones to snap a quick picture.”

Rodeo has been a mainstay of life in the Pikes Peak region for decades. The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, this year in its 84th edition, was founded in 1937 by Spencer Penrose, who also founded The Broadmoor. That sense of history and heritage runs deep even for those with no everyday connections to ranching — a fact that might be surprising to newcomers or visitors.

It was for Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, president and CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, when she moved to the area. “I had never been to a rodeo before the Pikes Peak or Bust. It was fascinating because people I’m used to seeing in three-piece suits have a whole different look and can actually ride a horse,” she says. “That’s very different than where I moved from, but it’s fun. I love that people are so proud of our heritage in Colorado.”

Although Colorado has become more urban in recent years, Scott Stuart says ranching and the sport that grew out of it, rodeo, remain a big part of our past, present and future. Stuart is the past president and current member of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo board of directors, board member (and past president) of the Roundup Riders of the Rockies, former CEO for the National Livestock Producers Association and a former rodeo competitor.

“The cattle industry has been very important to Colorado’s history, and still is today,” Stuart says. “A very distinct Western heritage has grown from that industry, and rodeo is a showcase of the skills and talents necessary to be a successful cowboy or cowgirl.”

If you’ve never been to a rodeo, Stuart says the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust is one of the best to start with. Not only is Norris Penrose Event Center one of the most beautiful places to watch rodeo in the country, but the pace of the event makes for an entertaining ride.

For the talented women competing in breakaway roping, for example, if contestants don’t have a time between 1.5 and 3 seconds, they won’t be nearly fast enough. Eight events take place in just over two hours — the length of a movie, Stuart says — with each of them requiring a different set of skills.

“There’s no teams and no owners,” he adds. “Some of them are good enough to have sponsors, but for the most part they’re using their own money and taking their own chances.”

That individualistic spirit and competitiveness pairs with a close-knit family feel. A great example is steer wrestling — while there’s one primary contestant, there’s also a second working in tandem. The two are often competitors.

“They’re trying as hard for the other guy to win just as much as they are for themselves,” Stuart says. “There’s not a lot of selfishness in rodeo.”

For Stuart, rodeo serves as an expression of ranchers’ way of life and the rugged work they do every day to provide food, improve their land and take top-notch care of the animals that are their livelihood.

“If you’re not around the land, you forget how fragile, important and finite it is,” Stuart says. “That’s become tougher to remember as we get further away from where our food is grown.”

Rodeo, and the ranching that inspired it, might seem from another time to those who don’t live it daily. But Wall says the core principles that rodeo celebrates — community, faith, country and family — are exactly what keep it relevant. Since 1946, the proceeds of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo have helped to support military service members and their families in the Pikes Peak region.

“The contestants aren’t paid unless they do well. And that’s how a lot of this country was built — no guarantee,” Wall says. “We celebrate that work ethic, that love of rodeo. We have a prayer and the national anthem; we honor the military who fought and died for our country so we could have the opportunity to do things like rodeo. Rodeo is a slice of Americana.”

What to Expect & How to Prepare for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

1. Show up early to explore the Norris Penrose Event Center grounds, including the Fan Zone and vendors. There’s lots to do, including mutton-busting tryouts, a petting zoo, live music, a beer and wine corral and more. But don’t be late getting to your seat — things start right on time. As Wall says: “We don’t really ease into it, we blow open the gates.”
2. It’s OK to not know anything. Announcers (two of the all-time best, Stuart says) explain each event and its intricacies to the audience. Haven’t touched your boots since last summer? Stuart says you’ll find yourself re-immersed in the rodeo world, much like his once-a-year golf outing. “You get invested, and you’re pulling for both the animals and the contestants. It’s true, live, real entertainment.”
3. If you want to do a little pre-rodeo prep, start with the Rodeo 101. All performances start with the Pikes Peak or Bust Range Rider Pivots and Pikes Peak Rangerettes drill teams, followed by the Fort Carson Mounted Color Guard. Events follow in this order:
   • • Bareback Riding
     • Breakaway Roping
     • Steer Wrestling
     • Team Roping
     • Saddle Bronc Riding
     • Tie-Down Roping
     • Barrel Racing
     • Bull Riding
4. You may smell some things. It’s a rodeo, after all. Norris Penrose Event Center is outdoors, but all seats are covered. Plan accordingly.

5. 

   One of the fan-favorite events mostly takes place before the main rodeo events. Mutton Bustin’ allows kids to get a taste of rodeo by trying to hang on and ride a sheep in a small enclosure on the Norris-Penrose grounds. Preliminaries start at 4 p.m. or 10 a.m. for matinees. Seven kids advance to the finals in the main arena.

6. After the show, visit the Coors Roadhouse Saloon for live music and dancing. Here’s the lineup for this year:

• • Tues., July 8: Red Mountain Highway
  • Wed., July 9: Kevin Austin Band
  • Thurs., July 10: Jason Wulf Band
  • Fri., July 11: Exit West
  • Sat., July 12: Jeffrey Alan Band

Rodeos and Other Western Heritage Events This Summer

Find more ways to explore the Western way of life in 7 Western Heritage Events and Rodeos in Colorado Springs This Summer and Ride for the Brand Ranch Rodeo Stampedes into Town.

You can check out this full schedule of even more events celebrating the Western heritage of the Pikes Peak region year-round.

This article was originally published in June 2023 and updated in June 2025.