COLORADO NEWS

Red Rocks and Cheyenne Frontier Days both win ACM Industry Awards

Jun 30, 2026, 4:44 PM

Two of country music’s most iconic venues are within a short drive from Colorado’s Front Range, and the Academy of Country Music just recognized both of them.

The ACM announced its Industry Awards today (June 30) for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, and Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre took home Outdoor Venue of the Year for the fourth time — adding to two previous wins in other ACM categories. Just up I-25, Cheyenne Frontier Days won its second consecutive ACM Fair/Rodeo of the Year award, defending the title it claimed for the first time in 2025 after being nominated every year since the category’s inception in 2019. Morrison is about 30 minutes from downtown Denver. Cheyenne is about 90 minutes north. Between the two, Denver-area country fans have two nationally recognized, ACM-winning destinations within a tank of gas.

The ACM Industry Awards recognize venues, talent buyers and promoters that have demonstrated support and commitment to country music through buying and promoting concerts and driving ticket sales. Winners are voted on by ACM members across artist, musician, producer, venue, manager and promoter categories. This year’s Cheyenne Frontier Days Frontier Nights lineup features Riley Green with Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton with Avery Anna, HARDY with Cameron Whitcomb, Zach Top with Jo Dee Messina, The Red Clay Strays with Wyatt Flores, Alex Warren with Noah Cyrus and Treaty Oak Revival with Jessie Murph. The event runs July 17-26.

Both winners will receive their trophies at the 19th ACM Honors ceremony on Aug. 19 at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Other Industry Award winners included Stagecoach (Festival of the Year), Bridgestone Arena (Arena of the Year) and the Ryman Auditorium (Theater of the Year). But if you’re keeping score from the 303, the only two that matter are the ones you can get to before your coffee gets cold.

Colorado News

Photo by Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

Airline pilot sues Denver hotel after waking up to bats in his room and a bite on his foot

Normally this time of year you’re likely to see a ton of miller moths around Denver, but for some reason, this summer there seems to be more bats than moths… […]

43 minutes ago

(Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)...

Shawn Patrick

WATCH – Colorado man opens his truck door and finds a bear riding shotgun

Bears in cars in Colorado, not rare… Bears caught in cars by the driver in Colorado, much more rare. A Colorado contractor got the ride-along he never asked for after […]

1 hour ago

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 15: Penelope Wong attends the 2026 James Beard Restaurant And Chef Awards ...

Big Mic

Denver chef becomes first Asian woman in Colorado to win James Beard Award

The James Beard Awards, which recognizes exceptional talent and achievement in culinary arts, hospitality, media and broader food system’s were held on June 15  and it was Colorado’s own Chef […]

4 hours ago

ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO - JUNE 4: Members of the Denver Broncos stretch prior to organized team activit...

Brailey Jones

Denver Broncos announce 14 open training camp practices: schedule, tickets, and what to know

Denver Broncos training camp has become a summer staple for fans looking to see the team on the field for the first time, or just a fun free activity for […]

5 hours ago

(Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Beaches Turks & Caicos)...

Shawn Patrick

Denver is getting its first-ever nonstop flight to Turks and Caicos

Start planning the beach trip. United Airlines just announced that it will launch nonstop service between Denver International Airport and Providenciales International Airport in Turks and Caicos beginning Dec. 19 […]

1 day ago

Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images...

Shawn Patrick

Downtown Denver is trying to win you back with $5 parking all summer

Downtown Denver has a pitch for you to come back… They’ll make it cheap to park. The city launched a pilot program Monday (June 29) called “Mayor’s Park $5,” a […]

1 day ago

Red Rocks and Cheyenne Frontier Days both win ACM Industry Awards