Year after year, people come from all over the world to see the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (now the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo) – both as competitors and spectators. The Rodeo has been a Colorado Springs tradition since 1937, brought to town by Spencer Penrose, a visionary American businessman, entrepreneur, miner and philanthropist who saw the future of The Springs as a place for the elite sport, thus attracting tourists to the city, and also building The Broadmoor Hotel and stadium to accommodate visitors and fans.

Presented by:

Colorado loves rodeo!

The sport of rodeo, born from ranching, recalls a deep history of the west. The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo celebrates ranchers, cowboys, and the pioneer families of Colorado’s past, while showcasing the best in the sport of professional rodeo. The core principles of community, faith, country, and family are on display, along with some of the world’s best athletes — PRORODEO Champions from the U.S. and Canadian Circuits, plus National Champs from Mexico — competing for payouts over $1 million from July 8-12, 2025 at the Norris Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road in Colorado Springs.

The tournament-style NFR Open determines the national circuit champions in each event. All 26 qualifiers in each event from 13 circuits, plus Mexico, will compete in two preliminary rounds of the Rodeo. Each contestant is placed in a Pool, competing twice. The top three contestants from each event in each Pool advance to the Championship Round, with all previous scores and times thrown out. The winner of the NFR Open Championship Round on Saturday, July 12, becomes the 2025 NFR Open Champion.

Get your tickets now to avoid FOMO! You don’t want to miss Bareback Riding, Breakaway Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie-down Roping, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding, nor the opportunity to see rodeo entertainment, the precision riding skills of the Pikes Peak Range Rider Pivots & Rangerettes, or see and meet Girl of the West Emma Considine. There are seven performances in total, and many people come multiple times; with all the variables in this sport, every performance can be unique.

Your attendance supports active duty local military and their families. The U.S. Air Force Academy, NORAD/USNORTHCOM, U.S. SPACECOM, Schriever Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Base, and Fort Carson are recognized at the performances. More than $5 million has been raised for military families through the Rodeo.

Which of these Rodeo performances will you add to your calendar?

Tuesday Evening, July 8 — U.S. Army SMDC & MDA Night, sponsored by Trace3 Government

Wednesday Evening, July 9 — Fort Carson/4th Infantry Division Night, sponsored by Northwestern Mutual

Thursday Evening, July 10 — First Responders & 302nd Airlift Wing Night, sponsored by UCHealth

Friday Matinee, July 11 — Guard/Reserve Units and Educators, sponsored by KeyBank

Friday Evening, July 11 — Space Night, sponsored by KBR

Saturday Matinee, July 12 — U. S. Air Force Academy, sponsored by USAA

Saturday Evening, July 12 — NORAD/USNORTHCOM Night, sponsored by Lockheed Martin

Evening performances start promptly at 7 p.m., with grounds opening at 4 p.m.; matinees start promptly at noon, with grounds open at 10 a.m. Gates will open at 5 p.m. for evening performances, and 10:30 a.m. for matinees.

Sell-out crowds are always a part of the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo history! Get your tickets online now!

A new program this year

A new program was launched this year that allows you to provide a local military family with a Rodeo Experience Package that includes tickets to the Rodeo, meals, and vouchers for one Rodeo performance. How? With a Tribute to someone serving – or who has served – in the U.S. military. A $100 donation pays tribute to an individual; a $500 donation pays tribute to a family or military unit.

Names of honorees and their branch of service will be shown on large banner boards on the North Fence Line of this year’s Rodeo. This year’s campaign will run through June 14; donations received after that time will be earmarked for the 2026 NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (see www.pikespeakorbust.org/contact for details).

“I’m so excited to deliver these ticket packages to our local military installations. These Rodeo Experience Ticket Packages are just a small thank you to military members and their families who serve our country and protect our freedoms every day. We greatly appreciate the donors who made them possible by paying tribute to services members, past and present. We can’t wait to see even more of our military families at this year’s NFR Open.”

– Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Board of Directors Vice President Laurie Carroll, U.S. Air Force (retired).

Break out your western wear!

While the volunteers and professionals are getting ready for the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, it’s time for the rest of us to get “rodeo ready” with some great western gear. From straw hats to boots, and from belts to shirts, you can find this season’s latest and greatest at Rodeo sponsor stores Boot Barn, Cavender’s and Big R.

Many people have channeled their inner cowboy or cowgirl, including Marilyn Monroe, who said, “Give a girl the right pair of boots and she can conquer the world!”

Once you’ve “got your rodeo on,” take advantage of the many things there are to do before, during, and after the Rodeo! Kids visiting early will be able to enjoy mutton bustin’ tryouts, the petting zoo, a bounce house, and pony rides, while adults can kick back and enjoy the Beer & Wine Corral. Live music can be heard on the Fan Zone stage before matinee and evening performances on Friday and Saturday. Show off your fancy footwork to live music in the Coors Roadhouse Saloon after the Rodeo wraps up. There will also be vendors onsite, in the Fan Zone and on the North and South sides of the arena.

Park it!

All fan parking at the Norris Penrose Event Center is paid parking. When purchasing your tickets, you can get valid passes for the Premier and Standard lots. Premier lot pass holders should enter from 21st St. and head east on Lower Gold Camp Road; Standard Lot pass holders and those using the Cash Lot should enter from Eighth St. and head west on Lower Gold Camp Road or Moreno Ave.

The Cash Lot ($20 per vehicle) is available for onsite parking on a first-come, first-served basis. These cash-only spaces are limited and will fill up fast!

How about free? Consider what we think your best bet for getting to the Rodeo: a free shuttle service. It’s easy! It’s stress-free! It’s air-conditioned! Free garage parking at the shuttle site at 50 East Costilla, downtown, will bring you to the Rodeo and back to your car when you’re ready to go home. Shuttles will run between 4 p.m. and midnight Tuesday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, at 15- to 20-minute intervals.

Celebrating — and making — history

Penrose’s legacy lives on today, in virtually every prominent landmark in Colorado Springs, as well as the things he built and established: the Pikes Peak Highway (1916); the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (1916); The Broadmoor (1918); the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (1926); the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (1936); Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun (1937); Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (1937); Glocker-Penrose Hospital, now Penrose-St. Francis Health Services (1939).

The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is joined by the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb — a.k.a. “The Race to the Clouds” — that began in 1916, as the two oldest events in the Pikes Peak region. This year’s Hill Climb is scheduled for June 22, with Fan Fest taking place downtown on June 20. These events, and others, as well as organizations that the Rodeo partners with and supports — are embedded into the fabric of our community.

There is a lot of excitement around this year’s induction ceremonies at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Hall of Fame, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum.

• Michele Mouton will be the first woman inducted into the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Hall of Fame the week of June 25.
• The 2025 Class of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame includes 1970 WPRA World Champion Joyce (Burk) Loomis Kernek, in the WPRA Barrel Racing category, with Pam Minick inducted as a WPRA Notable, along with Stran Smith (tie-down roping), Jeff Collins (bareback riding), Steve Purcella (team roping), Mack Altizer (rodeo producer), Harley Tucker (stock contractor), Skipper Voss (contract personnel), Tom Miller (notable), RTR Little Willy (timed event horse), Livermore Stockman’s Rodeo (rodeo committee). The Ken Stemler Pioneer Award will be given to Red Steagall during the Cowboy Ball on July 11.
• The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Class of 2025 includes Steve Cash (sled hockey), Gabby Douglas (artistic gymnastics), Anita DeFrantz (rowing), Allyson Felix (track and field), Susan Hagel (Para archery, Para track and field, wheelchair basketball), Flo Hyman (indoor volleyball), Kerri Walsh Jennings (beach volleyball), Mike Krzyzewski (basketball coach), Phil Knight (Nike founder), Bode Miller (alpine skiing), Marla Runyan (Para track and field), Serena Williams (tennis), the 2010 Four-man Bobsled Team and the 2004 Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team. They will be honored with induction in a special ceremony on Saturday, July 12.

Ready to Rodeo?

There are several western events that community members look forward to each year! Plan on attending:

Colorado Springs Western Street Breakfast, Wednesday, June 18, 5:30-9 a.m., Downtown Colorado Springs

Sponsored by the Pikes Peak Range Riders, a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and the beverage of your choice (milk, juice, or coffee) will be served by Army and Air Force volunteers. Entertainment will be provided by musicians of the Flying W Wranglers and Exit West and Sweetwater Native American Dancers. Children will enjoy the Kids Corral, petting zoo from Wishing Star Farm, a trick roper, roping lessons and the 78th annual Lil’ Cowboys & Cowgirls Roundup costume contest. Girl of the West, the Pikes Peak Range Riders and Rangerettes will be on horseback. The breakfast is $5, purchased via a commemorative wooden token keepsake.

Pikes Peak or Bust Parade, Saturday, July 5, 2025, 11 a.m., Downtown Colorado Springs

Sponsored by the Pikes Peak or Bust Foundation, the parade starts things off on the right, er, hoof! Western-themed floats, equestrian groups, rodeo royalty and entertainment await, along with fun — and games. Free to attend!

You’ll want to be at the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, as well as other events in our community celebrating the western way of life. Ranching, rodeo and the western experience are not trends; they are American standards that continue to evolve.

Be like a cowboy or cowgirl: show up … be dependable … don’t give up … honor our military and show your patriotism at the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Visit www.pikespeakorbust.org/ to learn more about the events. Tickets are available at www.pikespeakorbust.org/tickets/ — How many do you want?