The Cowboy Up in Kiowa Rodeo has been honored with an unprecedented fourth consecutive Super Purse Rodeo of the Year award.
“The Cowboy Up committee has taken their rodeo to a whole new level in the past seven years,” Don Scanga, president of the Colorado Professional Rodeo Association, said in a news release. “No rodeo in the history of the CPRA has ever won the Super Purse Rodeo four consecutive years. I have never seen this level of passion and commitment from a small-town rodeo committee or the excellence in production as the Cowboy Up in Kiowa committee has demonstrated.”
The Cowboy Up in Kiowa Rodeo has been based in Kiowa since 1995. In that time span, the committee has been recognized many times, including the CPRA’s Best New Rodeo, three times as Best Small Rodeo, twice as the Most Improved Rodeo and now its fourth consecutive Super Purse Rodeo of the Year.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the many incredibly dedicated volunteers and supportive sponsors that make this local Elbert County event possible,” said Angelique Dieker, president of the Cowboy Up committee. “Without them and our awesome stock contractor, Kiowa-based H&H Rodeo, we do not have a rodeo. In addition to Colorado we draw contestants from Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and New Mexico. Our growing fan base stretches from Limon to Castle Rock and Colorado Springs to Estes Park, and we thank them all for their support. Our volunteers are proud to bring the event back to Kiowa every year.”
Cowboy Up experienced its first-ever sold out performances in 2017.
The 2018 rodeo is slated for June 22-23 at the Elbert County Fairgrounds in Kiowa. Online tickets sales, along with event schedules and information on how to volunteer, can be found on the committee’s website, www.CowboyUpInKiowa.org.