Recently hired NWSS president Wes Allison, right, eight months into the job, and NWSS Chairman of the Board Douglas Jones stand in front of the brand new The Legacy building on the National Western Center grounds on Jan. 6, 2026. Finishing touches continue at a furious pace before the start of 2026's National Western Stock Show from Jan. 10-25, as can be seen by construction barriers and cones still protecting a few areas. "We are very proud," said Allison of The Legacy building and the ongoing NWSS construction projects. "The vision those leaders had as they started this project (in 2014), they really went out and really did things that were right and that ultimately were good." Legacy4-RFP-011226
NWSS impresses with new world headquarters and event space
The National Western Stock Show has already established a 120-year legacy of livestock, agriculture and the American West. In planning its current billion-dollar redevelopment of the 250-acre site in partnership with the city and county of Denver, along with Colorado State University, the NWSS knew it needed even more.
Legacy, that is.
So Colorado icon Pete Coors stepped up to the plate and helmed a successful Honoring the Legacy … Building the Future capital campaign to raise private funding for a new NWSS world headquarters that would be named The Legacy. Standing atop the ground of its historic NWSS stockyards, The Legacy is meant to reflect a storied past and trail blaze an optimistic future.
“We knew we wanted a landmark building that would be cherished not only by the National Western Stock Show but also by the community,” said Coors in an earlier interview about the capital campaign and building project.
The main lounge area of the National Western Club, located on the 4th floor of the brand new The Legacy building, is impressive space for Western Stock Show Association members during the 16-day stock show run, as well as year-round space available for conferences, events and gatherings. “This is definitely upping our game significantly for the (WSSA) membership in particular,” said NWSS VP of Marketing and Brand Development John Wilhelm. “They have been a very loyal group for us for a long time. For us to be able to give them a place to be able to come and experience and hang out and spend time, it is not only special for them but it is very special us as well.”Legacy1-RFP-011226
From that early vision, The Legacy took its final form. The four-floor, 115,000-square-foot gem boasts multi-function conference space, an art gallery, an archival/memorabilia heritage center, the national western club, meeting/event areas and lounges with terrace space, numerous western-themed watering holes and even an 1880s style saloon. Whether visitors to the newly completed structure are generational Coloradans or newcomers, The Legacy is sure to make an impression.
“We needed a place where we could truly embody the western spirit,” said new NWSS President and CEO Wes Allison, who was hired from Texas to guide the NWSS into a bright future. “That is what this building is. (We are) very proud,” Allison added. “The vision those leaders had as they started this project; they went out and really did things that were right and that ultimately were good. We are creating that showcase and complementary space to the rest of the campus that makes it a destination with our partners in the city and CSU and others.”
The Katherine and J. Robert Wilson Art Gallery inside the brand new The Legacy building on the National Western Center grounds boasts paintings, sculptures and other works throughout its ample space. The gallery is open to NWSS visitors as part of general grounds admission throughout the stock show’s 16-day run. “For the first time in 33 years our entire western art collection will be in one space that you can go see,” said NWSS President and CEO Wes Allison.Legacy2-RFP-011226
THE CLUB
In addition to attractions like the western saloon, art gallery and heritage center, a main feature of The Legacy, especially during the NWSS, is its 4th floor National Western Club space that is reserved for members of the Western Stock Show Association. With a style combining Colorado mountain lodge and rugged western individualism, the stone and wood interior with soaring vaulted ceiling and glass skylights sets a mood. The wide-open floor plan encourages large gatherings for eating, socializing and networking. Several western-themed watering holes fit into a few corners and another one occupies the end of an adjacent hallway. Behind the club space is a smaller social space that also leads to a covered terrace with stone fire pits and views of the city.
A partial view of the front of the brand new $100,000,000 The Legacy building on the National Western Center grounds in Denver on Jan. 6, 2026. The Legacy was privately funded and is the National Western Center’s new world headquarters. On top of that, the four-floor, 115,000-square-foot gem boasts multi-function conference space, an art gallery, an archival/memorabilia heritage center, the national western club, meeting/event areas and lounges with terrace space, numerous western-themed watering holes and even an 1880’s style saloon. “We needed a place where we could truly embody the western spirit,” said new NWSS President and CEO Wes Allison. “That is what this building is.”Legacy3-RFP-011226
The word impressive keeps coming to mind.
“This is definitely upping our game significantly for the (WSSA) membership in particular,” said NWSS VP of Marketing and Brand Development John Wilhelm. “They have been a very loyal group for us for a long time. For us to be able to give them a place to be able to come and experience and hang out and spend time, it is not only special for them, but it is very special for us as well.”
“We needed a place where we could truly embody the western spirit (and) that is what this building is,” summed up Allison as he encouraged stock show visitors to check it out in 2026’s NWSS. “Just come and explore. Whether it is the World Family Heritage Center and learning about our history, or the Katherine & J. Robert Wilson Art Gallery or hanging out in the Legacy Saloon and having a beer, it is such a unique space. To get that first taste at stock show and just come in here and explore the first floor and second floor, which are open to the public, we want you to come out and see what it is all about.”
Prepare to be impressed.
Recently hired NWSS president Wes Allison, right, eight months into the job, and NWSS Chairman of the Board Douglas Jones stand in front of the brand new The Legacy building on the National Western Center grounds on Jan. 6, 2026. Finishing touches continue at a furious pace before the start of 2026’s National Western Stock Show from Jan. 10-25, as can be seen by construction barriers and cones still protecting a few areas. “We are very proud,” said Allison of The Legacy building and the ongoing NWSS construction projects. “The vision those leaders had as they started this project (in 2014), they really went out and really did things that were right and that ultimately were good.”Legacy4-RFP-011226
The polished, 1880s style, old west interior of the Legacy Saloon inside the NWSS’ new world headquarters is anticpated to be a popular stop for NWSS visitors and personnel during the stock show, as well as the general public throughout the rest of the year. “An 1880’s saloon on the first floor lets you step back in time,” said NWSS President and CEO Wes Allison. “(The Legacy is) just a wonderful facility, a great place for us as staff honestly, to be all together.”Legacy5-RFP-011226
The first floor of The Legacy also boasts the World Family Heritage Center, which contains NWSS archival material, history, and memorabilia from the 120 years of the Denver stock show. The new “We Are The West” branding of the NWSS is displayed throughout the grounds.Legacy6-RFP-011226
The Nick Petry Boardroom in The Legacy building provides NWSS board members with a professional setting that is comfortably western in feel. The large table had to be brought into the room in two pieces as it was too large to fit through the doors otherwise. Walls on both ends of the room are covered floor to ceiling in western cattle scenes created from dyed French Charlois cattle hides. Every detail of the Legacy building is meant to impress with the wide scope and rugged elegance of the American West. “We are creating a showcase and complementary space to the rest of the campus that makes it a destination with our partners in the city and CSU and others,” said NWSS President and CEO Wes Allison about The Legacy building.Legacy7-RFP-011226
For information on how to become a Western Stock Show Association member, visit the NWSS’ website at nationalwestern.com/about/membership/ — call them at (303) 299-5556 — or email at member@nationalwestern.com.
