From roping and riding to snapping a photo with CAM the Ram, CSU Day returns to the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14 with plenty of fun for the whole family.
From Ag Adventure to the opening of Hydro, the final jewel in the CSU Spur campus’s crown, Colorado State University’s impact will be seen all over the National Western Stock Show, being held Jan. 7-22 at the National Western Complex in Denver.
Deep roots
CSU has been a partner of the Stock Show since it was first established in 1906. Featuring one of the largest rodeos in the world, the Stock Show includes livestock exhibitions and judging, art shows, live music, merchandise and 
dozens of food vendors.
It all begins Jan. 5 with the National Western Stock Show Kick-Off Parade. Led by animal science professor and famed author Temple Grandin as parade grand marshal, this true Western cattle drive will feature more than 30 longhorns, along with horses, cowboys, cowgirls, tractors, marching bands and floats. Grandin is the subject of an upcoming documentary film, “An Open Door,” to be released in 2023 and filmmakers plan to be on hand to capture the event for the project.
The parade begins at Union Station and heads down 17th Street to the Brown Palace Hotel at Glenarm Place. Visit nationalwestern.com for more information.
CSU Day at the Rodeo tickets
Discounted tickets (Promo code NWSSCSU) are available for CSU Day at the Rodeo, featuring seating in CSU fan sections. Tickets are good for rodeo events as well as grounds admission for the day, which includes nearly 300 trade show vendors, Mutton Bustin’, National Western nursery, kids’ activities, petting farm and more.
Ticket prices range from $21 to $24. Prices offered are not available to the general public. All orders are subject to availability, and prices are subject to change. Questions about tickets can be directed to the groups department at (303) 295-3959.
Hydro grand opening
On Jan. 6, celebrate the grand opening of Hydro, the third and final building at the CSU Spur campus, in the heart of the emerging National Western Center and just a five-minute walk from the Stock Show. A special ribbon cutting with brief remarks will occur at 1:15 p.m. Jan. 6 (Register to attend here: https://col.st/uT6UH).
Open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the National Western Stock Show, the Spur campus will feature ongoing programs, including CAM’s Ag Academy. The hands-on, interactive experience allows young people to learn all about the diverse world of agriculture. Registration is available online at https://col.st/BiA1r.
Ag Adventure
CSU’s popular Ag Adventure also returns to the National Western Stock Show. Each year, more than 20,000 guests of all ages engage with this interactive exhibit where CSU College of Agricultural Sciences students serve as Ag Ambassadors, helping people explore where their food comes from – seed to supermarket.
The CSU Booth and Ag Adventure can be found every day of the Stock Show on the third floor of the Hall of Education. Registration and more information are available at the Alumni Association’s events calendar.
Ag Passport program
Visitors to the National Western Stock Show can pick up their CSU Stock Show Activities Passport to fill in as they check out CSU at the Stock Show and the CSU Spur campus. Passport stops include CSU’s pens in the Stockyard and the three buildings at CSU Spur: Hydro, Vida and Terra. Visitors who complete the passport will receive CSU merchandise, such as bandanas, frisbees and straw sets.
Below are some additional highlights of CSU-related activities and events at the Stock Show.
- NWSS Free Admission Day: Tuesday, Jan. 10
- CSU Alumni Association Member Breakfast: 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at CSU Spur Hydro. Registration link: https://col.st/Iy3m2
- CAM the Ram: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Hall of Education, third floor, CSU Booth and 12-2 p.m. at CSU Spur
- Stockyards: Visit CSU’s Seedstock Merchandising Team in its new digs and learn about CSU’s tradition of showing livestock at the stock show.
CSU Spur
In addition to being a hub for innovation and research, the CSU Spur campus serves as a free, year-round public educational destination in Denver offering K-12 students, families and visitors opportunities to learn about food, water and health. CSU Spur is built upon the belief that students can be anything they want to be and will showcase real science and real careers. Learn more at CSUSpur.org.
