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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.
Back for the 40th year, led by Josh Hanfling, the Rustlers enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast at Shanahan’s in Denver (see sister post), boarded the buses to Pueblo and arrived at the Colorado State Fairgrounds to chat with the proud young owners of livestock soon up for bid after hours and hours of grooming and prepping.
Enthusiastic bidding commenced mid-afternoon, with grand champion and runnerup lambs, rabbits, goats, turkeys, chickens, hogs and the prestigious steers raising funds for the future of Colorado youth.
Happy Rustlers then boarded buses and headed back up the Front Range, satisfied that they have once again done their part to ensure success for the next generation.To join in the fun next year, log on to www.denverrustlers.org.
- Nathan Weathers, left, and CSF Commissioner Tom Kim
- Commissioner Chair Bill Hybl, left, chats with Mark Trostel, retired Chief State Patrolman and now Swine Superintendent for the Fair
- Kami and Hadley Crego with lamb Ian–Reserve Champion
- Gena Ryder, left, Kami and Hadley Crego, Nichole Masciotra
- Future Farmers of America officers: KaCee Saffer, Aidan Datteri, Westen Burkhart, Natalie Wright, Aunica Naranjo, Brock Miller
- Commissioner Rene Brown and auctioneer John Korrey
- FFA officers with Governor Jared Polis
- Commissioner Darius Allen with Madison Murphy and Ari Antonio from Dept. of Agriculutre
- Fair Counselor Billy Seiber, left, Fair GM Scott Stoller and Ari Antonio
- Foundation VP Devon Ingo and President Adam Daurio
- Jake King with his Grand Champion steer Rambo
- Ted Severn, left, Scott Bryan, Tim Mason
- Angela Lieurance and Bill Coors
- Robyn Toft, Livestock Event Coordinator, with Josh Hanfling, leader of the Rustlers
- David McReynolds, left, Sean Tonner, Josh Hanfling,Carolyn Zbavitel
- Senator Kevin Van Winkle, left, Josh Hanfling, George Teal, Douglas County Commissioner
- Patrick Donovan, left, talks with Milo Kendrick about his lamb “Dan”
- Corbin Jagers, left, and Brody Shreve talk with Rustler John Fabbricatore
- Bailey Singleton talks with Rustler Brent Neiser about her goat McQueen
- Marlin Eisenach, left, Commissioner Secretary Nikki Weathers, Commissioner Mike Schliep and Commissioner Vice Chair Jeff Mandarich
- Morgan Biddison, left, Christine Benero, Chelsea Carver, Michael Sapp
- Grace Ramirez, left, Tate Carpenter and Sean Maley
- Chad Vorthmann, left, Nathan Weathers, Ashley House, Taylor Szilagyi, Tim Miller, Tenley Weathers
- Trotter Thomas chats with Rustler co-founder Tim Schultz
- Stephanie Yokell, left, Rebecca and Tom Kim, Tim Mason
- Jessica Crawford talks with Gretchen Vermillon about her steer Broccoli
- Owen Hockaday and Brant Volosin with steers DT and Curtis
- Tammy Huth, left, Elayna Martinez, Ashley Kirby, Brandy Sanchez, Jen Garcia
- Jake Jabs and Rene Green
- Fair GM Scott Stoller and Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation
- Holly McCollough, left, Natalie Gill, Curtis Esquibel–all with Boettcher Foundation
- Patrick Donovan, left, Mike Dino and Dan Gibbs
- From Dana’s Catering: Executive Chef Edward Christenson, Virginia Williams and owner Dana Eaton
- Tim Miller, left, Lee Boughey and Taylor Szilagyi
- Leroy Garcia, left, Felix Frisch, Adam Frisch, Steve Weil of Rockmount Ranchwear
- Tim Schultz confers with Rene Brown
- Receiving the inaugural “Champion of Champions” award: Tim Schultz, co-founder of the Rustlers program 40 years ago, with Katie Kramer and Josh Hanfling
- Lee Boughey thanks sponsors from the Colorado Electric Cooperative
- Commissioner Chairman Bill Hybl talks about exciting initiatvies
- Fair GM Scott Stoller welcomes everyone
- The CSF Foundation donates $21,000 to the Junior Livestock program
- Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg welcomes the crowd
- Governor Jared Polis gives remarks
- The Sam Brown family with Cal Sidwell and the grand champion market lamb
- The Fair Ladies
- Pete Coors with Echo Bartels and her reserve grand champion market lamb
- Chelsea Carver and Christine Benero of United Way with Echo Bartels and her grand champion market goat
- CSU Pueblo President Armando Valdez offers a hat to Jake Jabs
- The Fair Ladies with Miles Rutledge and his reserve grand champion goat
- Officers of the CSF Foundation with Ryder Halley and the grand champion market turkey
- The Sam Brown family with Ridge Kayser and his grand champion market hog
- Michael Sapp of Xcel Energy with Karsyn Fetzer and her reserve grand champion hog
- The Sam Brown family once again was high bidder for the grand champion market steer ($51,000 bid)–here with handler Jake King
- Angela Lieurance and Pete Coors with Colby Weber and the reserve grand champion steer–bidding $18,000 on behalf of the National Western Stockshow