Join the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo for an unforgettable family experience! Children 10 and under get in free, and you can find discounted ticket options on our website.
Our rodeo events are packed with excitement, including the Calf Scramble and Mutton Bustin’, with all the requirements for participation listed below. Don’t miss our special events, such as our Independence Day celebration or Hawaiian night, where everyone can dress up in Hawaiian attire and soak in the island vibes. We’re continuously updating our schedule with new acts and entertainment, so be sure to check back often for the latest updates.
We look forward to seeing you and your family at the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo!
You’re welcome to bring a picnic meal and relax in our picnic pavilion, generously donated by the Turnbull family. If you prefer not to cook, our local food vendors will be serving up mouth-watering dishes that cater to everyone’s tastes.
Please note that outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted. We offer a variety of alcoholic beverages available at our on-site bar with proper ID.
For those looking for tailgate-style parking options, our premium arena fence parking provides the perfect setting. Feel free to bring along your barbecue grill to enhance your rodeo experience. Secure your spot for $50 with advance online reservations, available for purchase starting at noon every Wednesday. Premium parking tends to sell out quickly, so be sure to check out our Arena Parking Tickets page for more details.
Kids can have a blast at the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo with exciting events like Mutton Bustin’ and Calf Scramble, perfect for inexperienced cowboys and cowgirls. Experienced kids can test their skills in Steer Riding and Junior Bull Riding. In the Dally Ribbon Roping event, kids can join as runners with an experienced roping partner.
At the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo, we offer a wide range of special events adding excitement and diversity to every rodeo. From thrilling trick riding and roping displays to mesmerizing equestrian drill teams, and rodeo clowns, our lineup showcases the incredible skills and talents of performers from all over the world.
Join us for Hawaiian Night, where the arena comes alive with colorful leis, grass skirts, and a tropical cowboy-style atmosphere, creating a festive and fun-filled experience for the whole family. Our Independence Day celebration is a patriotic extravaganza, complete with American flags and patriotic performances that honor the spirit of America and the Wild West.
Our Tough Enough to Wear Pink night is a heartfelt tribute to breast cancer awareness, with participants and spectators alike donning pink attire to show support for this important cause. These special events, along with our regular rodeo competitions, make every visit to the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
The Kids Calf Scramble is an exciting event where children aged 3-10 can participate. Before the race, participants perform warm-up exercises like arena push-ups, and stretching in the dirt to get ready for some action-packed fun. During the scramble, kids chase calves around the arena to snatch ribbons from their tails. To win, kids must snatch the ribbons from the calves’ tail and return to the finish line in the fastest three times.
Registration opens at 5:30 to 8 pm Thursdays at the Secretary Shed. Please do not wait until the last minute to sign up, as spots may fill up quickly depending on the rodeo’s pace.
In the Mutton Bustin’ event, young participants have a chance to shine by grabbing wool and riding a sheep! In this thrilling event, kids get to ride a sheep, all while the crowd cheers them on enthusiastically. It’s a heartwarming and fun-filled moment where these budding cowboys and cowgirls try their best to hold on as long as possible!
Helmets and vests are provided for safety and to give parents a little peace of mind knowing that their children are equipped for the event.
This event is a favorite among families and rodeo enthusiasts alike.
Registration opens at 5 pm Thursdays at the Secretary Shed. No Call-In Entry Needed!
An exciting team event in which one mounted competitor ropes a calf and the other partner runs out on foot to snatch a ribbon from the calf’s tail. A quick catch by the roper gives the runner an advantage. A circling or windmilling calf can prove a challenge to the runner. One of the rare times you’ll see a cowboy or cowgirl without their boots as they don their fastest running shoes to compete. The runner has to cross the finish line back at the roping box, where the fastest time wins. Entry fee $50 per roping, $25 each roper and runner.
Register through the call-in line on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm. The call-in number is 970-923-9270.
Youth rodeo contestants have been asking for this event and the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo committee heard. Contestants must be 13 to 17 years old. Limited to 6 contestants plus 3 alternates. Junior Bull Riding is the training ground for youth with the aspirations to compete in the most dangerous event in the sport of rodeo and join the ranks of the Bull Riders. Cheer on these brave young rodeo contestants where an 8-second ride can seem like an eternity. Junior Bull Rider contestants are required to bring their own helmets and vests, as they are mandatory for safety during the ride. Entry fee is $35 per event.
Register through the call-in line on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm. The call-in number is 970-923-9270.
Steer Riding was added in 2011 to give young cowboys and cowgirls the opportunity to ride rough stock. A 6 second ride scores. You will be amazed by the bravery and skill of the young riders. Contestants must be at least 8 years old and not more than 12 years old (updated 2014).
This event is limited to 6 contestants plus 3 alternates. Steer riding contestants must provide their own helmets and vests. Helmets and vests are mandatory.
Register through the call-in line on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm. The call-in number is 970-923-9270.
Limited to a maximum of 10 contestants aged 5 to 13 years old, the Junior Barrel Racing event allows junior-age racers to participate in the Open Barrels category but not in both Junior and Open Barrels during the same rodeo.
Youth competitors follow the same cloverleaf pattern as Open Barrel Racers. Witness the determination of Junior Barrel Racers as they compete each week, offering them a chance to improve their skills and eventually transition to Open Barrel Racing. Many young riders give the Open Barrel Racers a tough competition in this timed event, with an entry fee of $20.
Register through the call-in line on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm. The call-in number is 970-923-9270.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gus Darien Riding Arena
County Road 100
(Catherine Store Road)
Carbondale, CO 81623