The El Paso County Sheriff's Office reported that its second Guns & Hoses City Slickers Rodeo brought in a total of $40,463.14, a figure that topped the amount collected during the first year's event. Roughly 3,000 people attended, and the event is focused on benefiting groups that work with first responders, military families, and the broader Pikes Peak community.
The funds are set to be divided among three recipients: the Colorado Springs Firefighters Foundation will receive $16,705.26, the Pikes Peak Law Enforcement Memorial Fund will receive $12,844.21, and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation will receive $10,913.67. Counting both editions of the event, total giving to area nonprofits now stands at more than $76,000, according to the sheriff's office.
Sheriff Joseph Roybal pointed to broad collaboration as the engine behind the event's results. "This event represents what can be accomplished when our first responders, military partners, local businesses, and community come together for a common purpose," he said, adding that the concept originated with a group of his Mounted Unit deputies and that the financial results left him "incredibly proud."
A separate rodeo is also drawing crowds and charitable dollars this weekend across town. The Pioneer Rodeo is running Friday and Saturday at Norris Penrose Event Center, offering rodeo competition alongside vendors and family programming. Its Ride and Raise program lets ticket purchasers designate a nonprofit of their choosing at checkout, with the rodeo returning 15 percent of qualifying sales to that organization.
Participating groups span a wide range, including nonprofits, school districts, youth sports clubs, and organizations such as Angels of America's Fallen, Victory Service Dogs, and the Girl Scouts. Fundraising through the program had already exceeded $7,200 before the weekend began, with organizers expecting that figure to climb as attendance increased.
The Pioneer Rodeo launched six years ago as a small, family-oriented hobby event and has since become what its founder describes as a community fixture. This year's event also carries added significance as part of Colorado's 150th anniversary celebrations, with organizers framing it as a showcase of the state's Western heritage. Norris Penrose Event Center's events manager said the rodeo gives attendees a space to gather and honor that heritage together.
Whether either event will announce expanded nonprofit partnerships or updated fundraising goals for next year remains to be seen.