Rodeo Trivia

• 1924 - a group of visionary brush businessmen, spearheaded by Alonzo Petteys and J.R. Ryland, bought land and deeded it to the City of Brush.  This property is known as Memorial Park and the Morgan County Fairgrounds.
• 1925 - the first Rodeo and Race was held
• 1927 - some 17,000 attended the 3rd Annual Rodeo and Race when governor Billy Adams led the parade.
• 1929 - a small fee was charged for parking in addition to a 50 cents gate charge.  This helped finanace a new amplified public address system.
• 1940s - local participants, some of whom still live in this area, won several events:  1942 Dean Christensen finished third in the pony race; 1943 Dale Stinton won the shoe race contest for boys over 70 lbs; 1946 Harry Mohrlang finished second in saddle bronc riding while the late Bill Lowry won the bulldogging and calf roping.
• 1948 - new grandstands were added.
• 1949 - the first pari-mutual horse racing in Colorado made its debut in Brush.
• 1953 - brought temporary changes with the horse racing held in May and June.  the Brush Jaycees sponsored midget auto races in July.
• 1955 - the Jacyees and other organizations formed the Brush Rodeo Association.  The Association has since offered parades, rodeos, barbecues, fireworks and plenty of good, old-fashioned fun.
• 1975 - the Outstanding Pioneer Award, to honor an individual whose pioneering spirit makes Brush a welcome spot for thousands of rodeo fans each year, was introduced.
• 1992 -  the Rodeo Family of  the Year Award was created by the Brush Rodeo Assocation.  The Robert Walker family was the first recipient.
• 1995 - the Texas, Montana Trail Drive Marker was dedicated to the public and new grandstands were added at the fairgrounds.  Also, the United States Postal Service created a collector's stamp honoring the Brush Rodeo.
• 2004 - Brush Rodeo celebrates 50 years!
• 2005 - Brush Rodeo joins CPRA