Classic western family fun includes 'mutton-bustin' for cowpokes 6 and under
The Ute Mountain Roundup's heritage traces back to a rodeo that was started around the end of World War I.
That rodeo was part of the county fair, held in September each year on what is now the football field at the Cortez Middle School, at the junction of highways 491 and 160. The rodeo was held there every year until 1930.
In 1930, the fair and the rodeo were moved to land on North Garfield Street that had been donated for that purpose to the American Legion. Shortly after that move, the rodeo was separated from the county fair and began to be held in June of each year. The rodeo became the Ute Mountain Roundup and was operated by the Cortez American Legion.
The rodeo was elevated to a higher level when it was first sanctioned by the Rodeo Cowboys Association, now known as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
In December of 2005, the ground on which the Ute Mountain Roundup had been held for seventy five years was sold and so the Ute Mountain Roundup moved again. This time, the rodeo came under a new non-profit corporation, the Ute Mountain Roundup, Inc. This newly formed entity, with a board of local business persons and a committee of local rodeo fans, competitors, supporters and volunteers, moved the rodeo to the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
Tickets may be purchased online for the Ute Mountain Roundup. Gates open at 6 pm, and the Rodeo begins at 7 pm. Online ticket sales cut-off time is 3 pm on each performance date.
- The Rodeo is held at the Bob Banks Memorial Outdoor Arena, located at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds, 5 miles east of Cortez, Colorado on Highway 160.
- Limited reserved parking is available all three nights. Visit the Ute Mountain Roundup website for pricing and details. View a map of the Rodeo Grounds here.
- Carnival and Midway run Wednesday through Sunday. View the 2009 Roundup Schedule or visit the official website for details.
- Roundup Dance is held indoors in the Lonnie Ellilott Memorial Coliseum (Upper Indoor Arena) on Friday and Saturday night. Dance tickets are available online or at the door. 2009's featured live band is "MOST WANTED".