Experience the Legend: NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

Colorado Springs, Colorado – Gather your loved ones and prepare for a summer tradition unlike any other. The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo invites you to attend, July 8-12, 2025, at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. The event is held at the base of Pikes Peak mountain, which is a part of the iconic Rocky Mountains. Get ready for thrilling, top-tier competition, as the top cowboys, cowgirls, and rankest animal athletes give it their all! Feel the heartwarming nostalgia as you share delicious treats and create the kind of beautiful core memories that families cherish for generations. What makes this experience truly unique is the profound connection it offers. By simply enjoying the greatest show on dirt, you’re actively supporting our local military and instilling values of service and community in every smile you see. Give your family an unforgettable adventure that’s not just fun, but deeply patriotic and purposeful.

NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
July 8-12, 2025
Norris Penrose Event Center
1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80905

The Ultimate Showdown

The arena will host the most elite riders from the PRCA’s U.S. and Canadian Circuits, plus Mexican National Champions, all vying for their share of over $1 million in payouts. This grand event is bringing in more than 200 contestants to this scenic and historic event. The toughest of the tough and the most determined cowboys and cowgirls will compete in Bareback Riding, Breakaway Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie-Down Roping, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding. Only the best will reach the semifinals and finals on Saturday, July 12, when the champions will be crowned. Each performance opens with a captivating performance from the Pikes Peak or Bust Range Rider Pivots and Pikes Peak Rangerettes drill teams, leading directly into a presentation by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit.

Endless Entertainment

The grounds open at 10:00 am for matinees and 4:00 pm for evening rodeo performances. The event will kick off at 7:00 pm, Tuesday through Saturday evenings, and at noon on Friday and Saturday matinees. Beyond the thrilling rodeo, be sure to arrive early to explore! Do you love shopping? Get ready to uncover something special among the many unique vendors waiting to be explored! Ready to indulge? From sweet to savory, you’ll find delicious food options to delight every taste bud. Craving a cold one? No better place to find a nice cold Coors than at a rodeo! There is a PPOBR Fan Zone that includes family-friendly activities like mutton bustin’ prelims and the Beer & Wine Corral for the grown-ups! Check out dancing and live music at the Coors Roadhouse Saloon after the rodeo to keep the fun rolling. You might even get the chance to meet Pikes Peak 2025 Girl of the West, Emma Considine.

Experience Colorado Springs: Where Beauty Meets Patriotism

Colorado Springs is a place that should be on the top places to visit in the United States. My family lives in Colorado Springs, and I have had the pleasure of experiencing it many times, even calling it my second home. Colorado Springs is not only home to my family but also home to the United States Air Force Academy, NORAD/NORTHCOM, U.S. SPACECOM, Schriever Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Base, and Fort Carson. Colorado Springs hosts its very own small-town rodeo each year, established in 1938. Since 1946, all proceeds from the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo have been used to support service members and their families in the Pikes Peak region. It’s a delight to know this incredible contribution to our country. The rodeo and the amazing backdrop of Colorado Springs’ beautiful landscapes are an incredible sight to behold.

Your Colorado Springs Itinerary: Discover Local Gems

Ready to explore? While you’re in Colorado Springs, discover some truly amazing places I highly recommend:

• The Garden of the Gods
  • My personal favorite.
• Allusion Speakeasy
  • A hidden-away speakeasy bar that changes its themes. Ex: Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, etc.
• The Royal Gorge
  • Are you brave enough to zip line over it? They have the country’s highest zip line overlooking the Arkansas River by 1,000 feet!
• Pikes Peak
  • Stand tall at 14,115 feet!
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
  • Don’t forget to feed the giraffes!
• Get ready for a culinary adventure in downtown Colorado Springs – amazing eats are everywhere!

A Must-See Destination

Colorado Springs is such a beautiful place and has no shortage of fun things to do or amazing things to see. You may even take a drive to Denver, which is only an hour’s drive away. One thing is for sure: attending the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo is a must-see event!

Plan Your Visit: Essential Rodeo Resources

Fan resources can be found at pikespeakorbust.org, including tickets, parking info, a know-before-you-go guide, and more!

Last Updated on 07/01/2025 by Olivia Clements

About the Author:

Olivia Clements

Biography:

I grew up in Reno, Nevada which often gets confused as a mini Las Vegas. But Reno has so much more than casinos. I grew up branding cattle, hunting with my dad, camping, playing sports, exploring the hills and so on. I found my love for writing early in life and I always had a journal I was filling up. I also found myself diving head first into photography which led me to volunteer for the rodeo I went to every year since birth, the Reno Rodeo. I now write in the Reno Rodeo Magazine and take photos of the rodeo for another committee. My love for country goes back to the early days with my dad floating on a boat fishing listening to old country (90’s or older) and some classic rock n’ roll. I have expanded my passions of writing and photography worldwide, having traveled to the Safaris in Africa, crumbling castles in Scotland, pubs in Germany to the snowy mountain tops of the Swiss Alps; like Ian Munsick, “I see country everywhere.” You can find me now taking pictures of sports or driving around taking pictures of yet another cow. They are too cute not to. It’s guaranteed to find me living my best life. Life is short, so live vibrantly!

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