Although the calendar still says it’s spring, the American Legion Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo marks the beginning of summer in Cortez, just as it has for the past 70 years.

"The rodeo was started about 1930 and has been held in one form or another since," recalled Carl Armstrong, general chairman of the rodeo. "It started out as an amateur rodeo and then became professional for a while. It went back to an amateur rodeo for a number of years. The war (World War II) messed things up for a few years. But I can tell you that in 1965 when it became associated with the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, Walter Alsbaugh of Alamosa began producing a PRCA show and that’s what we’ve been doing ever since. Roy Honeycutt has been producing the show since Alsbaugh died a number of years ago.

"The rodeo has progressed a lot since those days," Armstrong said. "I remember that Alsbaugh brought over some skinny little horses. The stock has been improving ever since. And the cowboys are better and better and better."

The Cortez rodeo draws some of the biggest names in the business.

Such rodeo stars as Larry Mahan, nine-time All-Around Cowboy and PRCA Hall of Famer, current All-Around Cowboy Fred Whitfield, plus multi-world champ team roper Jake Barnes and 1999 bareback world champ Lan LaJunesse have all performed here. Even motion picture star Wilford Brimley and television game show host Bob Eubanks have competed in Cortez in recent years.

Women’s Professional Rodeo Association barrel racing champs Kristie Peterson, Kelly Yates and Sherry Cervi have all run the Texas Cloverleaf pattern in the local arena.

"We always seem to draw some of the best rodeo cowboys and cowgirls," Armstrong said. "They like to come to Cortez and compete in our rodeo. We have a tradeoff with Grand Junction and Flagstaff and that helps."

Tickets are on sale for the pro rodeo, which gets under way Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Post 75 Arena located at the end of North Harrison Street.

Advance reserved seating tickets can be purchased at Nu-Way Western Wear, 33 E. Main St. in downtown Cortez. Tickets will also be on sale at the rodeo grounds each night. This is the only Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association major event in the area. The weekly PRCA Rodeo Series will be held throughout the summer in Durango, though.

Only general admission seats will be sold for Thursday, the first night of the competition. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children under age 12. Reserved seats for Friday’s and Saturday’s performances are $7. Grandstands open at 7 p.m. and the grand entry is set for 8 p.m.

General admission advance sales are available at the American Legion Post 75, at 320 N. Harrison, at Nu-Way Western Wear, and at Intermountain Farmers Association, 10501 U.S. Highway 666.

Two parades will be held on Friday and Saturday through downtown Cortez. The parade will start at the intersection of Main and Maple streets then east to Harrison and north to the American Legion grounds. The parade lineup is 4 p.m. and the starting time is 5 p.m. both days. The parade theme is "Cowboy Up for the 21st Century." Ray Candelaria is once again the parade chairman. He can be reached at 565-7023.

Candelaria said late entries will not be judged. Entries are available at Nu-Way Western Wear in downtown Cortez. The entry deadline is 5 p.m. today, June 15. Plaques will be awarded for first and second place in each of the three major categories.

Dances will be held immediately following the Friday and Saturday performances from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. in the American Legion Home. Music will be by Desert Thunder. Admission is $5 per person.

Frazier Brothers will be the carnival operator. The carnival, which will feature many thrill rides for adults and children plus a wide assortment of games of chance, will open Wednesday night and will close Saturday night.

Once again Honeycutt and Sons Rodeo Co. of Alamosa will be the stock contractor. Honeycutt rodeos create quality family entertainment by combining award-winning bucking stock, top contract personnel, and dynamic music. Some of the stock at the 1999 NFR included bareback horse Copenhagen Ragged Edge, and Schnook; saddle bronc horse Top Gun Skoal; and bulls Copenhagen King Kong, and High and Mighty. Johnny Pope will once again be on his horse in the arena to call the rodeo action.