Carbondale
Wild West Rodeo

For 12 Weeks in June through August - Rain or Shine

Learn More

Carbondale Rodeo Frequently Asked Questions:

Vist the Carbondale Rodeo’s Join Us at the Rodeo page for all event information including, dates, times, admission prices and directions.

The gates open at 5:30. Come out and bring your portable BBQ, cooler and a picnic dinner for a fun tailgate party. No time to cook? Slow Groovin BBQ is at the rodeo “delivering some of the best BBQ and food in the area” says owner, Ryan Vinciguerra. They will even have Detroit style pizza this season from their new sister restaurant, Propaganda Pie. Slack starts at 6:00 p.m. and the Grand Entry is at 7:30 p.m. New 2023: Do Not Bring Your Own Alcohol. A beer garden will be available.

Up-front parking and a special seating area next to the fence with a close-up view of the action, is available for our spectators with disabilities and/or mobility issues. This parking is behind both bleachers; and the seating reserved for our guests with disabilities/mobility issues is located in front of the west bleachers (closest to Carbondale). BRING your own chairs as the seating area does not have chairs but is simply a reserved area for spectators with disabilities/mobility issues and their guests. Be sure and let the parking staff know you are headed to handicap parking so they are not trying to direct you to the main parking lots instead.
Slack is the competition which occurs prior to the Grand Entry. Slack counts toward the buckle contest and nightly contest. Slack is typically barrel racers and ropers, which have the most contestants each night.

There are two grandstands with great views of all the action. Alternatively, for an additional fee of $50 you can back your truck or car up to the arena fence (see protocol for parking at the bottom of this page — changes in 2023) and watch the action with your friends & family. Please don’t climb on the fence.

Admission is $15 per adult. On-site parking change in 2023 — $10 fee per parking. Check in often for more details on Free Shuttle from town. We are finalizing details.

You can get discounted books of tickets at Roaring Fork Valley Co-op. A book of six is $75 and saves $2.50 per ticket. We have discontinued our carload admission. For questions on general admission please call Mike Kennedy, Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Association Board President at 970-379-3907.

Children under ten years are free.

The rodeo arena is located 1 mile east of downtown Carbondale in the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley. Consider riding our Free Shuttles from town. Final details are being worked out. Check back often. We’ve become so popular that parking issues have caused safety concerns and we are following recommendations of the Town of Carbondale and Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.

Gus Darien Riding Arena
County Road 100 (Catherine Store Road)
Carbondale CO, 81623

The Rodeo is centrally located in between Glenwood Spring and Aspen. Look for the sandwich board signs around Carbondale directing you to the arena.

If coming from Glenwood Springs on Highway 82 make a right at the light at County Road 100 (Catherine’s Store Road) and follow the road. The rodeo will be on your right.

If coming from Aspen on Highway 82, make a left at the light on County Road 100 (Catherine’s Store Road) and follow the road to the arena. The rodeo will be on your right.

A map can be found on our Join us at the Carbondale Rodeo page.

There is parking on the rodeo grounds. Please carpool if you can to alleviate parking congestion and save money.

2023 Changes: Please Read

** We will also be charging an on-site parking fee of $10 per vehicle. We hope this will encourage people to ride the FREE shuttle buses. 

** FREE SHUTTLE BUSES will run from town to the Rodeo and back. Pick-up point in is the Orchard, 110 Snowmass Dr. Shuttles will run from approx. 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. We encourage people to use the shuttles as parking will be limited much more than in the past. 

** NO PARKING ON COUNTY ROAD 100: By order of the Sheriff Dept for safety reasons. Cars cannot get off the road surface and it is dangerous walking along that road, especially in the dark. 

** LIMITED PARKING ON WILLOW, DAISY AND ROSE LANE: By order of the Sheriff Dept, there will be parking on only ONE SIDE of these roads, in order to maintain proper access for emergency vehicles in the neighborhood. DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS or you will risk being towed. Shuttle buses will try to swing through this area when possible. 

** ARENA PARKING: This has become a real problem and people leaving vehicles at the arena and on Willow Lane starting on Wednesday is not acceptable. We are hoping to go to an on-line system for reservations for a spot. Regardless, leaving vehicles on Wednesday will NO LONGER be permitted and vehicles may be towed if necessary. We will provide better detail as it becomes available. In addition, the Arena Parking Fee will increase to $50 this year. 

The temperature cools down after the sun goes down, especially during the early part of the summer season. We recommend that you bring a jacket or a blanket to keep warm. A blanket can also be used to keep you warm when sitting on the bleachers.
The rodeo goes on even if it rains. As the arena gets muddier, the action can become even more entertaining to watch.
Approximately two hours. Occasionally it may go a little longer.
No, dogs are not allowed at the rodeo. It is dangerous for your pet, as well as the rodeo animals.
Please do not go near the rodeo animals, especially the bulls. These animals are not pets and can be temperamental.
Yes, the rodeo is fun to photograph. You will have a great time capturing the action.
We haven’t heard in these post-pandemic times if anything is open after the rodeo. As soon as we hear we will let you know. So if you are a Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Sponsor, let us know if you are open and if you are having any food specials, special activities etc…?

The Carbondale Rodeo RecyclesYes, Pictured here is uber volunteer TJ, demonstrating how to correctly recycle your empty aluminum beverage cans.

** ARENA PARKING: This has become a real problem and people leaving vehicles at the arena and on Willow Lane starting on Wednesday is not acceptable. We are hoping to go to an on-line system for reservations for a spot. More Info will be posted when details finalized. Regardless, leaving vehicles on Wednesday will NO LONGER be permitted and vehicles may be towed if necessary. We will provide better detail as it becomes available. In addition, the Arena Parking Fee will increase to $50 this year.

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.
2023 Rodeo Season

The 2023 rodeo season will begin on Thursday, June 1st and continue through Thursday, August 17th. Come down to the rodeo every Thursday evening for 12 weeks with slack at 6:00 p.m. and the main performance at 7:30 p.m.

Get Involved

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

About Us
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.
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WHERE TO GO
TO SEE THE RODEO

Gus Darien Riding Arena
County Road 100
(Catherine Store Road)
Carbondale, CO 81623