Rhyme and Reason

Cowboy poetry has long existed outside the confines of any venue or formal setting, with ranchers telling stories in kitchens and around campfires. Now in its 25th year, the Colorado Cowboy Gathering offers a space for cattlemen and -women to indulge in poetry, music and performances related to life on...

By Robin Edwards

January 16, 2014

Help us weather the uncertain future

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

We need to raise $17,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Denver. Thanks for reading Westword.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$5,600

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Cowboy poetry has long existed outside the confines of any venue or formal setting, with ranchers telling stories in kitchens and around campfires. Now in its 25th year, the Colorado Cowboy Gathering offers a space for cattlemen and -women to indulge in poetry, music and performances related to life on the ranch.

“It’s a great opportunity to honor the past as well as get a look at the lifestyle of people who are making a living ranching today, which has just gotten more and more difficult,” explains veteran performer Liz Masterson. “It’s a combination of ranch poetry, historic cattle drives, and also changes in the new West, like water rights, environmental issues and losing or keeping the West.”

Among the highlights of the four-day variety show (which also includes a chuckwagon cookout) will be music from two-time Grammy winners Riders in the Sky; poetry from prairie legend Baxter Black; tunes from seventeen-year-old horse trainer and guitar player “Mustang” Mikki Daniel; and Western-themed matinee sessions.

The Colorado Cowboy Gathering runs Thursday through Sunday in Golden at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street, and the Green Center Auditorium, 923 15th Street. Prices vary by individual event; a full schedule is available at coloradocowboygath-ering.com. For tickets, call 888-718-4253; for more information, call 303-500-8720.
Jan. 16-19, 2014

Robin Edwards

A message from Culture Editor Kristen Fiore: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s vibrant culture and arts scenes.

Support Today