Summer fun in western Colorado means one thing for cowboys and cowgirls: rodeo. Rodeos throughout the Western Slope draw competitors and fans from all over the region.

The Mesa County Fairgrounds on Orchard Mesa hosts a pair of western Colorado’s more important rodeos.

The Western Colorado Championships, part of the United State Team Roping Championships series, will be June 13–15. And highlight of the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association’s summer series is the annual CPRA Finals, Sept. 5–7.

Only the top 10 money-winners in each event during the season are invited to compete in the three-day finals, which draws top rodeo competitors from around the Rocky Mountain region.

Some of the best rough stock available (saddle broncs, bareback broncs and bulls) from rodeo contractors is brought in, making the event one of the most competitive finals events in the country.

But you don’t have wait for the big competitions to see some bull riding in the Grand Valley. Rimrock Adventures off Colorado Highway 340 in Fruita has a full lineup of rodeo action at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings, June through August.

Get there early to watch the younger cowboys and cowgirls ride in the Mutton Bustin’ competition.

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E-mail Kent Mincer at kmincer@gjds.com

GET OUT OF TOWN
— There is also plenty of rodeo action within a short drive of Grand Junction.
— The Strawberry Days Rodeo, one of the state’s longest-running competitions, is June 13–14 in Glenwood Springs. Performances begin at 7 p.m. both days.
— Plateau Valley celebrates Heritage Days with a rodeo Fourth of July weekend. This year’s rodeo in Collbran is July 3–4, with 7 p.m. performances each night.
— The Montrose County Fair is July 18–19 at the Montrose County Fairgrounds. Both days include a rodeo at 7:30 p.m. 
— The Delta County Fair features a one-day rodeo on Aug. 9 beginning at 8 p.m. at the county fairgrounds in Hotchkiss.
Tip: The Colorado Pro Rodeo Association’s Web site, coloradoprorodeo.com, has information on rodeos throughout the state.
— Kent Mincer