COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — Rodeo season is here in Colorado, and one of the historic and culturally important rodeos of the season will be happening in Colorado Springs.
The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is set to open the chutes on Tuesday, July 8th, and run through Saturday, July 12th, at the Norris-Penrose Event Center.
Background and History
The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo has been wrangling steers and riding bulls since 1937, started by Spencer Penrose, and has been held in the event center named for the local entrepreneur and philanthropist since 2005.
In 1938, the rodeo under the leadership of Penrose debuted in the "House that Spec built", a 10,000-seat Will Rogers Stadium near The Broadmoor. Since then, the sport of rodeo has grown, and its impact in Colorado Springs has been apparent.
As the professional rodeo circuit grew, so came the establishment of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the largest professional rodeo organization in the world, according to the group.
In 1979, the PRCA decided to move its headquarters to Colorado Springs, where it still houses the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy.
As part of the rodeo week, the PRCA will be hosting a ProRodeo Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
Be sure to stick with our coverage all week next week, as we will be highlighting those rodeo legends live from the rodeo all next week.
Schedule of Events
Before the rodeo, the 82nd Annual Pikes Peak or Bust Parade is happening on Saturday, July 5! This year, the parade starts at the intersection of Sahwatch Street and West Colorado Avenue and will end at South Tejon Street and East Costilla Street.
The festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with the Lil' Cowpokes Stick Horse Race, followed by the parade at 11 a.m. For a map of the parade route, visit the Pikes Peak or Bust Parade's website.
Tickets are now available for the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Beginning Tuesday, July 8th, with the nightly shows starting daily at 7:00 p.m. through July 12. There will be two matinee offerings beginning at noon on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12.
The event is weather dependent as there are possibilities for thunderstorms this week.
Crews are completing the final day of preparations Monday.
- Tuesday Evening, July 8, 2025—U.S. Army SMDC & MDA Night
- Wednesday Evening, July 9, 2025—Fort Carson/4th Infantry Division Night
- Thursday Evening, July 10, 2025—First Responders & 302nd Airlift Wing Night
- Friday Matinee, July 11, 2025—Guard/Reserve Units and Educators
- Friday Evening, July 11, 2025—Space Night
- Saturday Matinee, July 12, 2025—U.S. Air Force Academy
- Saturday Evening, July 12, 2025—NORAD/USNORTHCOM Night
Notice, a lot of military-themed evenings?
That's in part because since 1946, the proceeds of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo go back to military families in the Pikes Peak Region, according to organizers.
NFR Open and Rodeo Breakdown
The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is an exciting event as it brings some of rodeo's best athletes from across the western hemisphere together to compete in a tournament-style rodeo and payouts of over $1 million.
Starting next week, athletes from the U.S., Canada, and National Champions from Mexico will be competing under the shadow of America's Mountain.
The tournament is broken down into pools of riders, each competing in their events with the Top 3 from each event and pool getting the chance to compete in the Championship Round at the NFR Open on Saturday, July 12.
You can find a list of events happening during the rodeo week below.
- Bareback Riding
- Breakaway Roping
- Steer Wrestling
- Team Roping
- Saddle Bronc Riding
- Tie-Down Roping
- Barrel Racing
- Bull Riding
- Mutton Bustin'
Parking & Road Closures
There are some big changes in parking that fans should be aware of in 2025.
This year, all fan parking at the venue is now PAID Parking, according to the event organizers. Valid passes are required to park in the $30 Premier and $10 Standard lots and must be acquired while purchasing your tickets.
The first-come, first-served $20 cash lot will have limited spaces, so if you want to pay to park to walk, get there early.
Free parking is still available, but you will have to shuttle to the venue. Shuttle parking will be available at the parking garage at Costilla and Tejon Street.
Shuttles will run from 4:00 p.m. to midnight Tuesday-Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday during the rodeo week.
Fan Zone
The rodeo is not the only fun and excitement taking place at the Norris-Penrose Event Center. On site, before the rodeo begins, there is a lot happening when the rodeo grounds first open.
Mutton Bustin' preliminaries and tryouts will be happening, plus pony rides, a petting zoo, goat roping, face painting, and more fun for the whole family.
For more information about the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, click here.
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