Taking Stock of the 119th National Western Stock Show

Where was the beef? For the first time that anyone could remember, there were no Texas longhorns in the National Western Stock Show Parade; because of the icy weather, the owners steered clear of making their herd part of that tradition. But the longhorns will be back at various events at the Stock Show before its run ends on January 26.
In the meantime, history is on the march at the Stock Show, where the major overhaul of the National Western Center is moving fast. This will be the last year for the Cowboy Bar in the circa ’70s Hall of Education/Expo Hall. Also going is the Denver Stockyard Saloon, since its lease is up in April and, after 25 years, new owners of the three-building Livestock Exchange are embarking on a major construction project that will boot the bar that cowboys up until 2 a.m. during the Stock Show.

By next year, though, there will be new bars in the Legacy Building, which stands right beside the Livestock Exchange and is a testament to the fundraising abilities of this town's moovers and shakers.
While much of the project is funded by the expanded lodging tax Denver voters approved to subsidize the renovation of the Colorado Convention Center, corporations and private citizens have stepped up to sponsor different components of the campus. And Colorado State University is roping in business year-round with its Spur campus and three new buildings — Vida, Terra and Hydro — dedicated to animal, plant and water research and educational activities.
Just down the road from that shiny new area is the historic Stadium Arena, which was completed in 1908, two years after the Stock Show got underway. Although it will soon become less integral to the traditional January activities of sheep shearing, mutton bustin' and funnel-cake eating, it will remain a landmark, ready to be developed into some amenity for the neighborhood that's suffered through so much construction — from the creation of Interstate 70 to the expansion of I-70 to the new, improved National Western campus.
But the more things change, the more they stay the same. On the Stock Show's first weekend, the place was packed with city slickers celebrating the hot new tourism trend of "cowboy core" (thanks, Yellowstone), along with actual ranchers who'd traveled hundreds of miles for the annual event dedicated to their very down-and-dirty profession. They were all shopping, whether looking for a new irrigation pump or a pricey painting by sixth-generation Coloradan Duke Beardsley, the featured artist in the Coors Western Art Show. And then they packed the place for the thirtieth annual Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza.
It all made Denver one big cowtown. In a very good way. 

Keep reading for more scenes from opening weekend of the Stock Show, all captured by photographer Evan Semón.

The 119th annual National Western Stock Show runs through Sunday, January 26. Get more information here.