Do:
•Arrive early for shows. The parking, the trek past thousands of other showgoers and lines at the box office can add unexpected delays to late arrivers. When the lights go down in the Denver Coliseum, it’s harder to get seated.
•Make sure your boots are made for walking. Snazzy clodkickers lose their appeal if the cool cowboy limps from the blisters on his feet. And wear thick socks because the outdoor grounds tend to be wet and icy cold.
•Watch your step. It’s true in the stables, and it’s true everywhere else. Small children, sometimes leading small animals they are showing in contests, scurry under foot, and spilled sodas are common on the concrete floors.
•Bring hand sanitizer. It might be an affront to the cowboy way, but it still beats getting a bug in a menagerie of germs and viruses.
Don’t
•Touch the animals. Owners will tell you which ones are friendly and which are better admired from afar, so ask first.
•Complain about the smell, because as any rancher will tell you, “that smells like money.”
•Forget cash. While many merchants take credit cards, many still do not, and the ATMs at the show charge fees in addition to those your bank charges. Some merchants also award a “cash discount” for those with greenbacks instead of plastic.
•Take your car. Parking is costly and cumbersome, especially on cold days. Carpools can drop off passengers at the front door, and RTD pickup and drop-off locations can be found by calling 303-299-6000.
•Bring dogs, unless they are service animals.
