Carbondale
Wild West Rodeo

For 12 Weeks in June through August - Rain or Shine

non profit 2017
February 13, 2017

Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Named One of 2016 Non-Profits of the Year by Carbondale Chamber

Carbondale Wild West Rodeo named along with Buddy Program

Pictured above: Kristin Garwood, Big Stone Publishing, Carbondale Chamber Board President; Lindsay Lofaro, Buddy Program Executive Director; Mike Kennedy, RE/MAX MOUNTAIN WEST, Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Board President; Andrea Stewart, Carbondale Chamber Executive Director

This article from Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Newsletter. Learn more about the Chamber and Carbondale at http://www.carbondale.com/

Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Association (CWWRA)

The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Association (CWWRA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, and was formed prior to the 2005 rodeo season by Dave Weimer and Mike Kennedy after a failed two-year attempt by an out-of-town rodeo promoter. Finding sponsors at first was tough, but with lots of try-and-try-again, the sponsorships started to gain some momentum. There are now more than 75 sponsors!

The current, all-volunteer Board of Directors is comprised of Mike Kennedy, Melanie Cardiff, and Tom Harrington. The mission is simple: to keep the western heritage of the area alive and well through the 12-week summer rodeo series. The CWWRA is starting its 13th season in June 2017!

The rodeo gives the rodeo cowboys and cowgirls from Grand Junction to Aspen, to Montrose and beyond an opportunity to show their talents, win some prize money, and possibly a champion belt buckle at the end of the season. Competitors from out of State often come to the Carbondale Rodeo at various times throughout the summer as well. Spectators come from the local area as well as out of town, out of State and sometimes from overseas! The biggest majority of spectators are locals, because it is the place to be on Thursday nights in the summer!

The CWWRA puts the rodeo on with mostly volunteer help (approximately 24 volunteers a week) in the arena, with sign-ups, parking, and lots of odds and ends that need to be done each week. Of course, the stock contractors, judges, security, secretary, and gate people are paid, but the CWWRA runs as much as possible on volunteer help. Without the volunteers and the sponsors, the CWWRA would not be able to continue the series every year.

As mentioned earlier, the CWWRA is a non-profit and earnings are marginal, but the CWWRA has been able to donate funds to other non-profits in the area year after year. Some of the regular recipients have been The Komen Foundation, Valley View Hospital Callaway and Young Center, Senior Matters, Roaring Fork High School Basketball, the Boy Scouts, and the Black Sheep 4H and Mount Sopris 4H clubs, to name a few.

The CWWRA does not request or accept funds from the Town of Carbondale, and the CWWRA does its part to improve the public Gus Darien Rodeo Grounds on a regular basis. Over the years, the CWWRA has donated over $75,000 in arena improvements, such as the warm-up arena, the large set of bleachers, a roof over the bleachers, the new lighting system, added livestock pens, a Senior Matters shed, and more. Several of these projects were competed with the Town of Carbondale as a major partner, and the Town has been great to work with! The cooperation is essential to the Rodeo.

Come and check it out each Thursday beginning in June! Or, if you want to get more involved, be a volunteer, or a rodeo sponsor to promote your business, click here. Yee haw! See you there!

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Welcome to the Rodeo

The Carbondale Rodeo Committee is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization committed to keeping the Roaring Fork Valley’s western heritage alive by offering a fun family-oriented event for residents and visitors alike. The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo is held every Thursday from June until late August, rain or shine.

2024 Rodeo Season

The 2024 rodeo season will begin on Thursday, June 6th, and continue through Thursday, August 22nd. Come down to the rodeo every Thursday evening for 12 weeks. 

  • Gates open at 5 pm 
  • Slack is at 5:45 pm
  • Grand Entry is at 7:30
Get Involved

Join us in preserving the Western heritage of the Roaring Fork Valley by volunteering for the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo! Contribute to a meaningful cause, build lasting connections, and enjoy personal satisfaction in supporting a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the spirit of the Wild West. Whether you're experienced with livestock or not, there's a role for you. Sign up today and make a difference at the Carbondale Rodeo!

 

To volunteer, email Mike Kennedy at:
[email protected]  or call at:
(970) 379-3907.

Reserve Arena Fence Parking

We are excited to continue the premium arena fence online parking reservation system for the 2024 season!

Arena fence parking tickets go on sale every Wednesday starting at noon through the rodeo season and typically sell out within minutes.

Remember, leaving your vehicles at the arena or on Willow Lane early is no longer allowed. 

Learn more about premium arena fence parking tickets HERE.