What Cattlemen's Days Is
Cattlemen's Days is Gunnison's rodeo and ranching celebration, billed as the longest continuous rodeo in Colorado and the fourth longest in the nation. It is recognized as a Top 5 medium-sized rodeo. The 2026 celebration ran July 3 to 11, with a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo on three nights, a parade, horse shows, ranch events and a free drone show.
History
The rodeo grew out of 1800s riding and roping contests on Main Street, held between spring calving and summer haying. Early names included Pioneer Days and the Helldorado Stampede. In 1901 the Gunnison Valley Stockgrowers Association sponsored the event and it officially became Cattlemen's Days. From 1913 to 1928 it was held on the campus of Colorado Normal School (now Western State Colorado University), moved back downtown from 1929 to 1936, and the Cattlemen's Days Association later built facilities at the current fairgrounds site.
Schedule (2026)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jul 3 | 4-H Horse Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., fairgrounds |
| Jul 4 | Ranch Rodeo, fairgrounds, free |
| Jul 5 | Open Horse Show, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Jul 6 | Cattle Drive event; Cowboy Poetry and Songs, 6 to 8 p.m., Cattlemen's Hospitality Tent |
| Jul 7 | Watershed Team Roping and Barrel Racing, 5 to 8 p.m., free |
| Jul 8 | Mini Broncs and Mutton Busting (ages 5 to 7) |
| Jul 9 | PRCA slack 9 to 11 a.m.; PRCA Rodeo, Golden Circle of Champions Night, 6:45 to 10 p.m.; post-rodeo dance at 5B's Barbeque, 8:30 to 11 p.m., $25 |
| Jul 10 | PRCA Rodeo, Patriot Night, 6:45 p.m.; free drone light show after the rodeo |
| Jul 11 | Parade, 10 to 11 a.m., Main Street; Junior Livestock Buyers BBQ, 12:30 p.m., $20 at the door; PRCA Rodeo, Ranchland Conservation Legacy Night, 6:45 p.m. |
| Jul 12 | Cowboy Church, 9 a.m., Pioneer Museum |
The Three Rodeo Nights
- Golden Circle of Champions Night: wear gold. Proceeds benefit children with pediatric cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
- Patriot Night: wear red, white and blue. Non-ticketed guests can enter for the drone show when barrel racing begins around 9 p.m.
- Ranchland Conservation Legacy Night: proceeds support ranchland conservation easements.
The PRCA events include bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, team roping and barrel racing.
4-H, FFA and Youth
Cattlemen's Days includes 4-H and FFA shows for horses, dogs, rabbits, poultry, swine, sheep, goats and cattle, plus showmanship, cake decorating, STEM and rocketry. The Open Horse Show has run for 84 years. The Junior Livestock Buyers BBQ is held July 11. The 2027 PRCA Rodeo is set for July 15 to 17, 2027, at 7 p.m. each evening, with signups opening in late spring.
Tickets and Where
PRCA rodeo tickets are required. Buy online at cattlemensdays.com/tickets, at the ticket booth in the Gunnison Bank and Trust parking lot, or at the rodeo gates. Choose a single-night ticket or a wristband for all three rodeos. Tickets can sell out, so advance purchase is recommended. Call 970-275-4921 for information.
Rodeo venue: Gunnison County Fairgrounds, 275 S. Spruce St., Gunnison, CO 81230. Parking near the fairgrounds is limited; plan to arrive 30 to 60 minutes before events start. Only service animals are allowed.
Questions
Do I need a ticket for everything?
No. The Ranch Rodeo, Watershed Team Roping and Barrel Racing, and the drone show are free.
What is the dress code?
Fans are asked to wear gold on Thursday and red, white and blue on Patriot Night.
Official Links
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Gunnison County Ranch Rodeo
Free ranch rodeo on July 4, 2026 at the Gunnison fairgrounds, an early event of Cattlemens Days that features working-ranch teams. Held each year.
275 S. Spruce St, Gunnison, CO 81230 | 970-275-4921 | Organizer: Cattlemens Days Inc. Official event details - Gunnison Cattlemens Days PRCA Rodeo
Three nights of PRCA rodeo at the Gunnison fairgrounds in 2026 (Golden Circle of Champions night, Patriot Night with a drone light show, and Ranchland Conservation Legacy Night). Held each year in July.
275 S. Spruce St, Gunnison, CO 81230 | 970-275-4921 | Organizer: Cattlemens Days Inc. Official event details - Gunnison Cattlemens Days Parade
Parade down Main Street in Gunnison at 10 a.m. on July 11, 2026, closing out the week of Cattlemens Days. Held each year on the final Saturday of the celebration.
Gunnison, CO | 970-275-4921 | Organizer: Cattlemens Days Inc. Official event details - Colorado Cattlemen's Association Mid-Winter Conference
Winter policy conference of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association at the Denver Marriott West in Golden, set for Dec. 14-15, 2026.
- National Western Stock Show
Sixteen-day stock show and rodeo at the National Western Complex in Denver, with open breed shows, an auction of junior livestock champions, pro rodeos and horse shows. The 2027 dates are posted.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.