If you're looking for one more big family event before summer is officially over, the Pioneer Rodeo has you covered. It's back August 14–16 at Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs — two nights of rodeo, a demolition derby on Sunday, and a community giving component that makes buying a ticket feel like doing something good.

What to Expect at the Pioneer Rodeo

The Pioneer Rodeo is Colorado Springs' signature late-summer western event. Friday and Saturday (August 14 and 15) are the rodeo nights, with traditional rodeo competition filling the arena at Norris Penrose. Sunday (August 16) is the Demolition Derby Finale, featuring five different vehicle classes — which, if you've never taken kids to a demolition derby, is exactly as entertaining as it sounds.

Gates open at 3:00 PM on Saturday, giving families plenty of time to explore the Fan Zone, grab food from local vendors, and find a good spot before the main event starts. The Fan Zone is a solid option for younger kids who need something to do before the rodeo begins — it's built for families.

Kids Under 5 Get In Free

For families with little ones, that's the headline: children under 5 years old are admitted free. For parents trying to stretch a family entertainment budget at the end of summer, that's a meaningful difference. You can bring the whole family without worrying about ticket costs for the youngest kids.

Your Ticket Supports a Colorado Springs Nonprofit

Here's what sets the Pioneer Rodeo apart from a lot of other local events. Fifteen percent of ticket proceeds go directly to a Colorado Springs nonprofit of your choice — selected at the time of purchase from a list of more than 72 participating organizations. The list includes nonprofits serving families, youth programs, community services, and a range of causes across Colorado Springs.

You're not just buying a ticket to watch a rodeo. You're choosing which local organization gets a direct contribution from your purchase. That framing matters — it connects the event to the community in a concrete, opt-in way. You pick the cause. The money goes there.

Quick Reference

What's Next

Tickets are on sale now at the Norris Penrose ticketing page. August 14 is nine days away — a good window to lock in tickets and pick your nonprofit before the weekend sells out. For full event details, visit norrispenrose.com.