Cowboy Culture Archives - Denver Gazette

Vince Bzdek: Is ‘Cowboy Up’ culture killing the West?

May 31, 2025

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“Cowboy up.” It’s a phrase uttered often in the wide opens of Colorado. “Walk it off.” “Tough it out.” “Strap your boots back on and get ‘er done.” It’s the Cowboy Code, and out in mountain towns like Durango, that code still hangs in the air like an old ghost from the wild West. Ranchers…

How do cowboys keep warm? The fashion trends of the Stock Show

Jan 13, 2024

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Sage Kelley

While wrangling bulls and jumping horses may fill the schedule of most National Western Stock Show visitors, the 16-day-long event wouldn’t be the same without the plethora of Western-based clothing lining the Hall of Education. The National Western grounds are filled to the 10-gallon brim with clothing vendors — stretching from Texas to Australia — selling…