A pair of Carbondale teenagers took their show to Las Vegas this week, rodeo-style. Roaring Fork High School junior Grace Freeman and her 17-year-old horse, John Henry, recently qualified for the Junior National Finals Rodeo (Jr NFR) in Barrel Racing. The Jr NFR event takes place annually in Las Vegas in conjunction with the Wrangler […]
Carbondale Wild West Rodeo
Posted inNews
Carbondale Wild West Rodeo kicks off 2025 season
On June 5, Valley residents gathered at the rodeo grounds once again for the opening night of the 2025 Carbondale Wild West Rodeo (CWWR) season. After the audience filed in, first-time flag bearer Alex Fouchet hoisted the American Flag to kick off the evening. Despite overcast skies, the rodeo saw packed stands full of excited […]
Posted inLocal Government
GarCo Report: Praise for the libraries, Pie Day and summer fun
Monday’s Garfield County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting was short and polite. Garfield County resident Debbie Wilde opened the meeting during the public comment period, describing her love of and gratitude for the library system. She said she has been trying to set up a learning center in the Navajo Nation for the past four years, which […]
Posted inLocal Government
BOT and BOCC talk rodeo, housing, energy and more
Carbondale’s Board of Trustees (BOT) met with the three Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on June 18 for their annual check-in. All Carbondale trustees were present with the exception of Erica Sparhawk.The meeting began with a review of the first two rodeos at the Carbondale-owned Gus Darien Arena. Carbondale Parks and Rec director Eric […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Carbondale Wild West Rodeo — More than just entertainment
June 6 is the 2024 season opener for Carbondale Wild West Rodeo (CWWR). Spurring into its 19th season, everything is coalescing for the best show yet. Compelling specialty acts, exciting action and delicious food vendors all add up to a great night of Western fun for the entire family. And don’t forget the kid events […]
Posted inLocal Government
Carbondale Report: Rodeo shuttle to add downtown stop
Rodeo season is just around the corner with the first event on Thursday, June 6, and Tuesday’s trustee meeting consisted predominantly of a check-in with Mike Kennedy, co-founder and board president of the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo (CWWR) nonprofit. The meeting began with the sweariwng in of police officer Brian Thompson and Lieutenant Bill Kirkland […]
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Carbondale Report: Trustees bring uniformity to commissions
Carbondale trustees tackled a diverse agenda on May 23. All were present, with Chris Hassig joining remotely, though Erica Sparhawk left early citing “family obligations.” The unanimously-approved consent agenda included a special event liquor license for Coventure, a license renewal for Izakaya, the modified Meadowood school district housing agreement, appointment of Heather MacDonald to the […]
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Small town rodeo, big time changes this season
After being closed down in 2020 due to the pandemic, the folks at Carbondale’s rodeo expected the 2021 season to be big, and it didn’t disappoint. Fans, participants, tourists, and volunteers came out in droves to celebrate the western way of life at this local rodeo. What was unexpected was how popular the rodeo would […]
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No BYOB at Carbondale Rodeo, Sweetwater Lake protections advance
Monday, April 10, the Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC) continued public hearings about the Sweetwater Lake 1041 designation after a morning of approvals and grants. The Funky Bear Café in Battlement Mesa is one step closer to its grand opening after the BOCC approved a hotel and restaurant liquor license for the establishment. And, the Carbondale […]
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GarCo Report: Carbondale Rodeo changes, wastewater treatment upgrades in Glenwood Canyon
Garfield County Commission Chair John Martin was absent from Monday’s meeting. Chair Pro-Tem Tom Jankovsky filled in. Jankovsky and Mike Samson barreled through the first several agenda items, including approval of minutes from regular meetings, dating back to 2019. County attorney Heather Beattie wants to see the Board approve minutes at every meeting in the […]