Family Fun

Watching the nation’s finest cowboys and cowgirls compete in the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is a thrill for all ages, but the excitement isn’t confined to the arena! Come early, skip the traffic, and enjoy the family-friendly pre-show fun, including Mutton Bustin' tryouts, gold panning, trick roper demos, pony rides, blow-up carnival rides, mechanical bull rides, and much, much more!

Mutton Bustin’

See future generations of cowpokes get their start on the back of a buckin’ sheep at the Mutton Bustin’ competition! Children compete to see who can stay on the longest, with the finalists getting to show their stuff inside the arena on the same dirt as the real cowboys (Participation in the finals requires purchase of events tickets by qualified competitors). Don’t miss this annual favorite!

Animals In the Rodeo

The bucking bulls and horses at PRCA events are some of the best athletes in professional rodeo. These remarkable animals are owned by stock contractors who make sure that the livestock is healthy, well fed, and fit to perform. The care and treatment of these valuable animals is the top priority for these contractors. The PRCA shares in the responsibility of the care of the livestock with professional judges on hand at each PRCA-sanctioned event to inspect each animal. A veterinarian is also on-site, allowing quick treatment of any injured livestock. Even so, injuries are extremely rare, with a rate of less than five-hundredths of one-percent.

PRCA Criteria

1974 marked the inception of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association when the Rodeo Cowboys Association added “professional” to the name. Today, the PRCA is the largest sanctioning organization with nearly 700 rodeos sanctioned yearly, and over 6,000 members. Most PRCA rodeos are produced by local volunteer committees who donate proceeds to charity. Over $25 million a year is donated from PRCA rodeos to charity.

CLICK HERE for complete Rules & Scoring

History

The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo has been a Colorado Springs tradition since 1937, showcasing the pinnacle of rodeo talent and action, while providing wholesome entertainment for the Pikes Peak community. Spencer Penrose, an avid sportsman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, founded the Rodeo and in 1938, presented the “House that Spec built” – the 10,000 seat Will Rogers Stadium across from the Broadmoor Hotel. The name was changed to the Spencer Penrose Stadium after his death in 1939, and the Rodeo continued in that location, under the guidance of community leaders committed to Penrose’s legacy.

From 1973-2001, the Rodeo was held at the 171-acre Pikes Peak Equestrian Center. From 2002-2004, the Rodeo moved indoors to the Colorado Springs World Arena. As tradition would have it, in 2005, the Rodeo returned outdoors after purchasing and renovating the Norris-Penrose Equestrian Center. Additional building improvements, including an enclosed Pavilion, continue to make the Center state of the art and a place for the Colorado Springs community to gather. The legacy of the Rodeo in the Pikes Peak region was further recognized three decades ago when the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association located their National Headquarters and Hall of Fame to Colorado Springs. As Colorado Springs second oldest event, there are many opportunities to continue making history in a town that knows and values Rodeo!

Since 1946, the proceeds of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo have been donated to military charities in the Pikes Peak Region. Colorado Springs is home to the United States Air Force Academy, U.S. NORAD/NORTHCOM (home to the American and Canadian joint forces), Air Force Space Command, Shriever Air Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, and Fort Carson.

Featured Competitors

Check back soon for a list
of our featured competitors!

For more information on the sport of rodeo click here.