Denver Rustlers Continue to Support Junior Livestock Sale
“$30,000 for the champion hog! Let’s give our support! $35,000!! Can I get $36,000….SOLD! Denver Rustlers!!”
The excitement was palatable as Auctioneer John Korrey brought it home to raise money for 4H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) at the 150th Colorado State Fair on Tuesday. Korrey, a 50-year auctioneer veteran, told the crowd “be sure and take care of yourself,” but it seems the memo got out to take care of others as well.
The Denver Rustlers, along with other philanthropic groups, came to bid on champion hogs, steers, heifers, goats, rabbits–whatever it takes to support 4H and FFA. They didn’t actually go home with a farm animal–instead they went home with the great feeling that they helped raise money for educational opportunities for these kids’ future.
The Denver Rustlers began 38 years ago during an economic downturn, when a lack of bidding threatened to shut down the Junior Livestock Sale at the State Fair. At the urging of the late Representative Tom Farley, Tim Schultz (then Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture) approached Dick and Eddie Robinson, as well as Larry A. Mizel, asking them to step-in and make sure the hardworking 4-H and FFA youths could continue to participate and raise money for their future education. The three rallied their friends and colleagues to invest in these kids’ by supporting their livestock sale.
Over the years, the prestigious Denver Rustlers have raised more than $3 million for student exhibitors at the Colorado State Fair Junior Livestock Sale, an event that supports Colorado’s young farmers and ranchers as they showcase their livestock to earn money for college.
The Rustlers group started their day with a scrumptious breakfast at Shanahan’s restaurant before boarding buses for the trek to Pueblo. (see additional coverage at Denver Rustlers Breakfast Fuels Livestock Bidder$ For Trip To State Fair (blacktie-colorado.com)
Kudos to all those who participated, whether it was placing bids, providing sponsorships, volunteering time and services…this was once again a resounding success.
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- Bob Duke (Foundation board), left, and Chris Whitney
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- Taylor Tribbett, left, Heidi Tribbett, auctioneer John Korrey, Case Gabel
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- Rustlers co-founder Tim Schultz and Debbie Jessup
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- Miss Rodeo America Hailey Frederiksen, left, and Miss Rodeo Colorado Ashley Baller
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- RD Sewald and Josh Hanfling
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- Wellington Webb, left, and Bernard Grant
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- Mike O’Connell, left, and Mark Truax
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- Chad Vorthmann, left, and Andrew Wood
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- Jennifer Fitch, left, Zach Bender, AJ Frasca, Ron Fitch
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- Bob Book, left, Burke Temple, Tim Mason
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- One of the “beef” champions
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- Jeff Mandarich, left, Lois Tochtrop, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers and Nikki Weathers
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- Sharon Swerdfedger, left, Laura and Todd Kelly, Martha Simmons
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- Jim Johnson, left, Renee Zentz and Bob Leach
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- Abby Fetzer and “Foaco”, left, Steve Weil of Rockmount Ranchwear (who provided all the Rustler shirts), and Lyndsey Mekelburg with “Vanilla”
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- Bob Silva, left, Ken West, Nathan Baxter, Meredith Silva and Gary Gray
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- Adam Frisch and Erin Flores
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- Allison Hocker and Matthew Soper
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- Jocelyn Hittle, left, Liz Adams and Barb Frommell
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- JJ Ament, left, chats with Don Thorn, executive director of FFA
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- Kasia Iwaniczko MacLeod, left, and Chantell Taylor
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- Bret Louk, left, Nathanial Goddard, Jason Phillips, Amanda DeMarco, Kaitlyn Taggart
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- Cash Campbell and Brett Winingham
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- The Colorado Future Farmers of America group
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- Leslie Harod and Rep Mike Lynch
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- Kaycee Gerhart, left, RD Sewald, Janine Davidson
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- Katie Kramer, left, Tim Schultz and Rene Brown
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- Colorado State Fair GM Scott Stoller, left, and Kenton Ochsner
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- Leaders of the Denver Rustlers–Josh Hanfling, left, Tim Schultz, Katie Kramer
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- Supporters from Filson Dental
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- Gloria Schock, left, Janine Davidson, Kaycee Gerhart
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- Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar and Martha Simmons chat with Wellington Webb
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- Melanie Pearlman, left, Jenifer Waller, Senator Chris Hansen
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- Denver Clerk & Recorder Paul Lopez, left, with Janine Davidson and Kaycee Gerhart
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- Ryan Ellerton greets the crowd
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- Commissioner Ben Dukes says a few words to kick off the program
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- The Sam Brown family are huge supporters
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- Rene Brown, right, shows of the $22K check from the Brown family
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- State Fair GM Scott Stoller welcomes everyone
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- Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg says a few words
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- Governor Jared Polis thanks everyone for attending
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- Miss Rodeo Colorado Ashley Baller introduces the colors
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- Miss Rodeo America Hailey Fredericksen leads the colors procession
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- Avery Kimble, right, leads the procession of the Grand Champion hog
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- Sydney Vaughn and the reserve Grand Champion hog
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- Sydney Vaughn leads the reserve Grand Champion hog
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- The Sam Brown family, huge supporters
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- The Sam Brown family with the Grand Champion hog
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- One of the champion rabbits and a 4Her
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- The “Fair Ladies’
