This was a big year for the Cowboy Up in Kiowa Rodeo, as the 29th annual event sold out its two-day run at the Elbert County Fairgrounds.
The June 28-29 rodeo was so packed that people attempting to buy day-of tickets were turned away.
Despite a couple scattered showers, the weather held for the weekend and the community came out in force to enjoy the rodeo as well as eat the delicious food offerings or grab a drink.
Treasurer Wendy Walp said there was “tons of mutton bustin’” going on this year. More than 100 local kids signed up for the event, scheduled throughout the weekend. The rodeo provided nonstop excitement from the Hero’s Night Rodeo on Friday, which included bareback bronc riding and barrel racing, to the Community Night Rodeo on Saturday evening.
Greg Dieker, Cowboy Up in Kiowa press manager, considers the event “a hometown, home county rodeo.” Dieker said that over 85% of ticket sales are sold to people living in Elbert County.
Dieker shared that sitting in the stands and seeing people that you know is part of what gives the rodeo a hometown feel. “We are trying to be a great small town rodeo that people return to,” he said.
When asked what else makes this rodeo unique, Dieker said those involved with the rodeo “look for opportunities to serve our community” and they love doing it. Rodeo volunteers have recently come together to help community members in the ways that matter most — not just with words but with action.
Debbera Crawley, whose family has been involved with the rodeo for about 10 years, says the rodeo network stepped up in a big way after she was in a motorcycle accident involving a drunken driver and began using a wheelchair for mobility.
Crawley’s physical therapist wouldn’t let her come home until there was a handicap accessible ramp into her home. Crawley says a group of people from Cowboy Up rallied around her and built a ramp. “They just did it, took care of it, didn’t skip a beat,” she said. The ramp has been life-changing for her.
Crawley feels the rodeo reaches out to the community in so many ways. “It’s a great rodeo and if you haven’t been, you’re missing out,” she emphasized.
They also remodeled the exterior of a local veteran’s home, including door replacement, wheelchair ramp installation and remodeling the driveway to make it handicap accessible. Volunteers combined their skills and worked together to bring both projects to fruition.
Teri Mills, who has been a rodeo volunteer since 1998, said the Elbert County Rodeo Committee was formed in 1993 but didn’t become known as the Cowboy Up In Kiowa Rodeo Committee until 1995. There were originally 22 charter members and one, Dave Rook, is still involved today.
Cowboy Up is an award-winning rodeo, with several awards from the Colorado Professional Rodeo Association. After a brief break about a decade ago, they were named Best New Rodeo of the Year and then immediately after, Most Improved Rodeo of the Year. They’ve won the Colorado Super Purse Rodeo, the highest honor available from the CPRA, a whopping eight times.
For more information on Cowboy Up in Kiowa, visit their website at cowboyupinkiowa.org or their Facebook page at facebook.com/cowboyupinkiowa.org.