History of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo ~ Julie Lence

courtesy of Pinterest

 Last month, I introduced you to Spencer Penrose, a successful businessman in the mining industry who helped to shape Colorado Springs as a town and community. Besides erecting a road to the top of Pikes Peak, building the world famous Broadmoor Hotel, and the first hospital in Colorado Springs, Spencer Penrose was detrimental in bringing the rodeo to town.  

Will Roger Stadium

The history of the rodeo in Colorado Springs dates back to 1911 when rodeo events took place in Sportsman Park located between North Nevada Avenue and North Cascade Avenue, but by the late 1920’s, the rodeo had died out. Penrose brought back the excitement, the skill, and the fun in 1937 by developing and building the Will Rogers Stadium at the Broadmoor Hotel and founding the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. The 1^st Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo was held in 1938 and continues today in mid-July. To promote the rodeo, Penrose enlisted the help of his longtime business partner and friend Charles L. Tutt and Jasper Ackerman, also a friend. The stadium at the Broadmoor was home to the rodeo for many years, and after World War ll was dedicated to the men and women of the military who sacrificed their lives for our country. (This tradition continues today, with one night of the weekend-long rodeo dedicated to military members. The Ft. Carson Color Guard is also present at the rodeo. They ride in the parades hosted by Colorado Springs, with their horses stabled on Ft. Carson and their army job titles reflecting their equestrian work.)               

 

Norris-Penrose Event Center
El Pomar Foundation

During the 1970’s, the Broadmoor needed the land the stadium sat on for expansion. With parking also a growing problem during rodeo week, then Mayor Eugene McCleary joined forces with William T. Tutt, Russell Tutt, and rancher Robert Norris to build a new stadium on Lower Gold Camp Road. Bearing the name, Norris-Penrose Event center, one of Spencer Penrose’s foundations, El Pomar, donated $1.25 million to help reduce contractors’ cost in the building of the stadium. Today, the Norris-Penrose Event center is still home to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. As for the Will Rogers Stadium,  it was cut into sections and moved to the new stadium one piece at a time. The land on which it sat currently houses boarding barns. The horseshoe opening was enclosed to make a new entryway and renamed the Spencer Penrose Stadium.  

Spencer Penrose at the rodeo
El Pomar Foundation