The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo has created a major rodeo event that is expected to have a $20 million economic impact on the region.
Rodeo All-Star Weekend, slated for April 4-6, is expected to draw about 30,000 people from around the globe — the same number that attended the Women’s Final Four in college basketball last month, said Kelly Brough, president and chief executive of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
“This helps build jobs for Coloradans,” Brough said.
The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo created the event specifically for Denver because there hasn’t been an all-star event for rodeo, unlike other sports. Also unlike other all-star events, the rodeo will not travel to other cities, said Paul Andrews, president and chief executive of the National Western Stock Show.
The event is expected to continue annually in metro Denver.
“We own the rights to the (trademarks) and the website,” Andrews said.
The rodeo, to be at the National Western Complex, north of downtown, will draw top-ranked cowboys and cowgirls to compete in seven events: bareback riding, saddle bronc, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull racing.
Contestants will be chosen by top rodeo committees throughout North America and by online votes at . The top 128 contestants will compete for the $140,000 grand prize.
Tickets are on sale at the website.
