When Colorado residents hear the words “altitude” and “rodeo” used in the same sentence, they most likely picture surprised cowboys launching from the backs of ornery broncs and bulls. What they could be imagining instead is a tradition-rich rodeo located in the small mountain town of Evergreen.

The EvLincoln Rogers Parker, Colo.Evergreen Rodeo celebrated 40 years of incorporation in 2006, but its full history bucks all the way back to the 1920s.
According to official information, those early rodeos of the ’20s and ’30s were impromptu events, held for mountain resort guests such as Tom Mix, Ethel Merman, and wealthy Easterners. It was a local competition before 1947, when it went professional, but didn’t become an annual occurrence until Aug. 5, 1967. Four decades after that date, it is bucking harder than ever.

“It went beautifully,” said Randy Weidner, Evergreen Rodeo board member, regarding his impression of 2006’s event. “Mother Nature cooperated (and) I think we had record attendance.”

All those ticket holders witnessed Cervi Championship Rodeo stock face off against more contestants than the mountain cowboy-fest ever welcomed before, all on Father’s Day weekend.

“It’s always held on Father’s Day weekend,” explained Weidner. “The date was moved years ago to not compete with other (rodeo) events. It seems to be very well received.”

“It went exceptionally well this year,” agreed Dave Marshall, president of the Evergreen Rodeo Association. “It was one of the best we’ve ever had.”

From the numbers of people buying tickets to the community support behind the scenes, Marshall saw positive signs everywhere he looked.

“The Evergreen merchants really participated this year,” added Weidner. “They had a decoration contest downtown and sponsored a band. Rather than a rodeo weekend, we had a rodeo week. They embraced it.”

Volunteers working behind the scenes also noticed, and appreciated, the high level of community support.

“What’s really cool about this is, it’s a community event,” said Burt McCall, one of the almost 130 dedicated volunteers sacrificing time year-round to make the rodeo happen. “I tell you what, the town and merchants, especially the merchants, really support us. And then the whole town turns out,” he continued, a sense of pride evident while he answered questions behind the chutes before Sunday’s matinee performance. “It’s just nice to see a community come together to put something like this on.”

Although the mountain rodeo experienced its best-ever turnout of almost 5,000 people over two performances, organizers want to add even more cowboy competition to the schedule. They believe the heritage and tradition of the event deserves it.

“We’re kicking around the idea of adding a Friday night Bull Riding Only event,” said Marshall regarding future plans to grow attendance, recognition, and sponsorship for the mountain-based rodeo. “Things are looking good for that. And we’re doing our best to get the added money up (for the cowboys). We’re trying to make it a win-win deal for everybody.”

If 2006’s record-setting trend of ticket sales, volunteer participation, and community support continues for the long-running venue, fans of the sport will be heading for the hills to celebrate future Father’s Day weekends, and the words “altitude” and “rodeo” will be the reasons why.