The 75th annual Red Ryder Roundup Rodeos are set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The July 4 rodeo will be at 2 p.m., with the July 3 and July 5 rodeos being at 6 p.m.
They are presented at the Western Heritage Event Center arena and grounds off U.S. 84 and Mill Creek Road.
Tickets are available online and at the gate prior to the event.
Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 for children 12 and under. A limited number of box seats are available and can be purchased by calling (970) 749-3492.
Each daily performance begins with an impressive grand entry with flags waving from westerners on horseback. Rodeo events are interspersed with a variety of other acts like the Mutton Bustin’ contest, Daisy BB gun raffle and rodeo clown.
The website www.PagosaRodeo.com has detailed information about the entire event. Additional questions can be directed to (970) 749-3492 or dtalbot111@gmail.com.
75 years of history
For 75 years, this organization has been run by local dedicated volunteers, funded with individual and business donations from the local community, and a great many more have helped in other ways.
The Western Heritage Event Center (WHEC) continues to be an independent, self-sustaining and successful entity that owns and operates the rodeo grounds in Archuleta County.
1948: A group of local ranchers organized an effort to start a regular named rodeo series in Pagosa Springs. The initial group of volunteers included Glen Edmonds, Fred Harman, Daily Hott, Leon Montroy, Terry Robinson and Babe Shahan. They collaborated with the owner of the Red Ryder registered trademark to use the registered name to brand this rodeo with the cartoon character that is so famous in this region. The elected board of directors was R.T. Harras, Edmonds, Robinson, Shahan and Harry Sharp, all local ranchers.
1949: The first two-day rodeo was held at the site of the current Ross Aragon Community Center. Photographs show how automobiles were placed in a large circular formation to create the boundary of the rodeo arena. Spectators stood behind the cars. A parade opened the show on the Fourth of July with Fred Harman III as grand marshal and H. Ray Macht as parade chairman.
1949: The committee advertised and sold stock, $1 per share, in the rodeo organization, named Pagosa Springs Enterprises (PSE), and raised $15,000. With these proceeds, 37 acres of land, on the corner of U.S. 84 and Mill Creek Road, was acquired from Leon and Margaret Montroy for the expressed use of hosting the annual rodeo.
1950: Ranchers and merchants donated items for an auction to finance improvements of the grounds. Construction included a rodeo arena with wood boards and woven wire, a half-mile horse racing track and covered wooden grandstands. Construction of a Fitzhugh-Haven-Doerrie is managing the dirt work and H.W. (Red) Sisson is supervising the surveying and general work. All was accomplished just prior to the July Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo.
1951+: Over time, the structures that exist on the rodeo grounds today were constructed as additional stock was sold for the purpose of raising money and creating a supporting membership.
1953: 500 wooden and steel bleachers were purchased.
1954: The present grandstands with roof, box seats and guard rails were purchased for $11,000 with the sale of bonds that were retired in 1964.
1974: A starting gate for horse races was purchased.
1978: Pipe fencing was installed around arena and the rodeo increased to three-day event.
1980s: Horse racing was discontinued after a fatal accident on the track, and the track was removed.
1980s–1990s: Repairs, maintenance and modest improvements were funded with modest proceeds from the annual three-day rodeo event.
July 1997: The WHEC Board of Directors began the Red Ryder Award, awarded for making a positive commitment to the western culture of this community and who has been a strong supporter of the organization and rodeo.
July 1999: Celebration of 50th year of Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo. Randy Talbot was president of the PSE. Other board members included: Charles Betts, JR Ford, Rhonda Ward, Jim Bramwell, Bob Haag and Marguerite Seavy. The stock contractor was Buster Webb W/A.
2000: The corner of land containing the Colorado State University Extension building was deeded to Archuleta County by the WHEC.
November 2004: The organization obtained its IRS nonprofit status and renamed the organization the Western Heritage Event Center. It’s mission is to provide an annual three-day Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo as well as a year-round venue for education and training for youth and equestrian events for Archuleta County. The WHEC is dedicated to preserving the history and traditions of the American West.
2005-2006: The 4-H / WHEC building was constructed with $136,500 of Great Outdoors Colorado funds and $175,000 of private donations secured by the WHEC board. The breezeway, an extension of the cover over the grandstands, was also added. This building was deeded to Archuleta County by the WHEC to provide ongoing maintenance, insurance and management of use.
2012: New roping chutes were installed — donated by Jack and Claudia Rosenbaum in honor of longtime friend Jim Bramwell upon his retirement from the WHEC Board of Directors after 15 years.
2014: The board of the Charles J. Hughes Foundation approached the WHEC to contribute funds to collaborate in building a covered arena.
Nov. 5, 2014: A presentation was made to the board of county commissioners to request a $150,000 matching grant. The WHEC begins construction planning.
Summer 2017: Groundbreaking and construction begins.
2018: R.D. Hott, a lifelong resident of Archuleta County, and the son of a founding member of the Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo, following his death in 2018, designated his estate to be used for the “Preservation of Western Heritage in Archuleta County.” This generous donation for improvements of the facilities at the rodeo grounds has led to the development of a master plan for the rodeo grounds and created a public/private partnership with the WHEC and Archuleta County. The Hott Fund is providing private matching grants for the continued improvement of the spaces on the rodeo grounds, which will drive increased activities and use for the benefit of the community while preserving the history and traditions of the American West.
2019: The WHEC and R.D. Hott Fund Advisory Committee developed a master plan for rodeo grounds.
2020: During the COVID pandemic, the Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo was not held for the first time in its history. The Hughes Pavilion was used for drive-through COVID testing.
January 2021: Creation of the rodeo grounds and fairgrounds joint-use agreement — a partnership between the WHEC, R.D. Hott Fund Advisory and Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners for the collaborative management of the grounds and facilities.
August 2021: The first county fair to utilize Hughes Pavilion for 4-H livestock shows and auction.
August 2023: Ribbon cutting celebration for the Hughes Pavilion and the 4-H Hall.
2024: New bucking chutes ere installed, donated by Mancuso Family Foundation.
July 2025: Celebration of 75th year of Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo. Diana Talbot is the president of the WHEC. Other board members include: Katelyn Bailey, Pennie DeClark, Keith Jacobson, Bob Kavli, Wes Lewis, Ryan Montroy, Twyne Regester, Lane Schaaf and Lisa Scott. The stock contractor is Bucking H Rodeo Company.
Hott Trust contribution
Funds from the Hott Trust have contributed to these improvements:
• Hughes Pavilion: Addition of the livestock building with livestock pens, wash rack and storage. Pavilion improvements of sprinkler system, bleachers, courtyard and front entrance.
• 4-H/WHEC building: Improvements to building interior and surrounding external area for integration of adjoining facilities. It is now named the 4-H Hall.
• Historic structures: The well-known and loved R.G. Gomez store has been relocated and is being preserved. Other Archuleta County historical structures have been moved to the site, including the Joe Macht family cabin and an original Camp Lewis officer’s residence. Items of historical significance from the Macht, Hott and other families will be displayed in buildings for public viewing.
• Grounds: A circular roadway around the grounds, fencing and drainage improvements and an official entry sites on Mill Creek Road including decorative gates.
• 2026 plans: Multipurpose event building to support the Archuleta County Fair and community events, and display historic items.
Into the future
The WHEC continues to maintain a relationship with Red Ryder Enterprises Inc. and the family of Shirley Ann Slesinger-Lasswell, which owns the Red Ryder trademarks and copyrights. They continue to grant permission to the WHEC to utilize the trademark name for the annual Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo. Their generous contributions and support for past, present and future rodeos is greatly appreciated.
The WHEC is a charitable organization as qualified by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3) and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law (federal EIN #20-1363398).
Donations may be made to: Western Heritage Event Center, P.O. Box 1841, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.
