Consistently voted as the best small town rodeo in the United States, Estes Park’s Rooftop Rodeo is a truly western experience. Located just 90 minutes northwest of Denver, Estes Park’s annual Rooftop Rodeo celebrates its 85th year this July 12-17, 2011 with a PRCA rodeo and many more western events all set against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. This year’s Rooftop Rodeo includes rodeo classics such as bare bronc riding, barrel racing and steer roping in addition to musical entertainment by Old West singer, Ron Ball. Visitors can enter to win an exclusive VIP Rooftop Rodeo getaway on Estes Park’s Facebook page by submitting an entry form and “liking” the page: https://www.facebook.com/estespark. More information and a daily schedule can be found at www.estesparkcvb.com and http://www.rooftoprodeo.com.

Location

Estes Park, CO

Date

Tue, 2011-07-12 00:00 - Sun, 2011-07-17 00:00

story by Roger Edison

The evening skies of the Trans-Pecos country rest with the ambient rays of brilliant orange color as the sun sets each night. Although, the early part of April found the sky glaring its burnt orange from raging fires which spread across Texas.

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The young Cowboy takes a wrap on his custom 9 plaid manila rope. Cinching tight into the leather riding glove, the heavily rosin rope welds snug. The Cowboy lowers his footing from the rails of the shoot. Once more pulling a firm placement of his hat as he nudges his body forwarded resting his crouch into the rope bound hand.

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After the civil war, men from both the north and south seek westward looking for a better way of life. Some took jobs working cattle ranches, others searched in hopes of gold. Each moving west with a dream, and for some, it became surviving at any cost. This is the mystery of the man who called himself John Schwartze.

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Photo courtesy of the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

Check out this article from the Denver Post about Denver's must-see spots. There's more to Denver than just mountains!

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