Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Expected To Bring A Crowd

The Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo starts today, and will bring a carnival and rodeo events to the Montezuma County Fairgrounds each evening from Thursday until Saturday, plus a parade through Cortez on Saturday afternoon. The treasurer of the Rodeo’s executive board, Chuck Forth, tells KSJD that a total of about 6,000 spectators are expected at the rodeo events, plus more at the carnival and parade. He said he and the four other people on the rodeo’s executive board spend all year preparing the event’s logistics including ticket sales, sponsorship, traffic control, and arena preparation. More businesses are sponsors this year, and the rodeo’s website says about $3500 more than last year has been invested per event. Forth also says the rodeo helps fund the County Fairgrounds, and has added a new roof and fencing for the arena, plus a new signboard, in the eight years since the rodeo has been held there. A lineup of the events and more information can be found on the rodeo’s website.