National Western Stock Show Gives Back with 16 Days of Service

The National Western Stock Show complex and grounds looks very different this January. It is usually bustling with cowboy boots and horse trailers, now just empty parking lots and barn stalls. Back in September, Stock Show management made the difficult decision to postpone the National Western Stock Show by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to resume the event in January 2022.

With an open January schedule for only the second time in Stock Show history, the staff and management decided to apply the extra time and energy as an opportunity to give back to fellow non-profits and serve in the community initiating the Stock Show 16 Days of Service.

“As heartbroken as we are to not be hosting the National Western Stock Show, the staff and I chose to utilize this downtime and serve with fellow non-profits in Colorado,” said Paul Andrews, President & CEO of the National Western Stock Show. “We are humbled to work alongside so many amazing organizations that continue to serve others during these difficult times.”

Stock Show staff will volunteer at over sixteen non-profit programs and organizations throughout January. The first day of service took place yesterday at Children’s Hospital Colorado. The Westernaires, Miss Rodeo Colorado Hailey Frederiksen, Stock Show Ambassador Lovebug the miniature therapy horse, and mascot Howdy, walked through the parking lots and waved to the children watching from windows. This was a way to share a small piece of Stock Show and bring smiles to the faces of patients, families and care team members.

The other non-profits on the Stock Show Days of Service schedule include The Gold Crown Foundation, Project CURE, Eagles Nest Ranch, The Urban Farm, Habitat for Humanity, Temple Grandin Equine Center, Food Bank of the Rockies, Westernaires, and several days of clean-up in the Globeville-Elyria-Swansea neighborhoods.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to give back to the communities and organizations that support the Stock Show every January,” said Andrews, “and we look forward to celebrating the return of Stock Show in 2022 with the grand opening of the historic Yards and Stockyards Event Center. Mark your calendars for January 8th through the 23rd, 2022,” said Andrews.