
The checklist for Denver Rustlers’ annual road trip to the Colorado State Fair starts with the exclusive Rockmount Ranch Wear shirt. Add the cowboy hat. Check. Snacks. Double check. Commitment to rustle up the best bids for all the students at the Junior Livestock Sale. Definitely! But first, gather the herd for some chow and the chance to catch up with friends, old and new. It’s pretty inspiring to see elected officials of all political viewpoints, plus sponsors and business leaders, gather together with one agenda: to support 4-H kids and the livestock sale. And as Denver Mayor Mike Johnston joked: It’s really powerful when the Rustlers can get 200 people to all wear uniform Western shirts and cowboy hats.

(l to r): Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg; Rep. Meg Frielich; Angie Paccione, Exec Director, Colorado Dept of Higher Education
On Tuesday, Aug. 29, everyone gathered at Shanahan’s Steakhouse to enjoy a delicious brunch and organize for the Rustlers’ 39th annual trip to Pueblo. Among those spotted in the noteworthy crowd: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis; U.S. Representatives from Colorado: Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Lauren Boebert, Brittany Pettersen and Ken Buck; Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold; Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg; and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. Denver Rustlers principal organizers and managers are: Larry Mizel, Tim Schultz, Josh Hanfling and Katie Kramer.

Tim Schultz, Denver Rustlers organizer and former Colorado commissioner of agriculture
Denver Rustlers writes: “As was the custom when this event began four decades ago, support of this event is almost completely donated by Denver Rustlers as well as other notable organizations and foundations, allowing nearly all money raised to go directly to our young participants…The Grand Champion and the Reserve Grand Champions typically sell for tens of thousands of dollars. The Rustlers use most of their pooled funds to make sure the other young exhibitors get a fair price for their animals, staying until each and every animal is sold. Made up of Colorado’s most prominent business leaders and elected officials (from both parties) – the annual trek of the Rustlers has become the can’t-miss event of the summer. The Denver Rustlers continue to be the largest buying group at the Colorado State Fair.” To learn more about the organization, donate and plan for next year, go to: https://www.denverrustlers.org/.
- (l to r): Charlie McNeil, Kathie Barstnar, Doug Tisdale
- (l to r): Jason Gallardo, Sam Bailey, Stephen Fullerton
- Lane Stockey, Milli King
- (l to r): Rep. Ryan Armagost, Rep. Lisa Frizell, Andres Carerra
- Matthew McConaty (left), Shane Frazier
- Patty Salazar (left), Flor Alvidrez
- (l to r): Janine Davidson, Chrissy Winkler, Kathryn Severns, Sen. Barb Avery Kirkmeyer
- Brunch bunch
- (l to r): Owen Brigner, Logan Fry, Juan Sipion
- (l to r): Darin and David Tandberg, Amy Parsons
- (l to r): Rep. Meg Froelich, Denver DA Beth McCann, Karen Middleton
- Denver City Council member Chris Hinds (left) and Josh Hanfling
- Kate Siegel Shimko, CSU vice chancellor for community engagement; with Andrew Feinstein, CEO EXDO Development
- (l to r): Liz Concordia, UCHealth CEO; Kathie Bartsnar; JJ Ament, CEO, Denver Chamber of Commerce; Jena Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State
- (l to r): Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg; Rep. Meg Frielich; Angie Paccione, Exec Director, Colorado Dept of Higher Education
- (l to r): David Mandarich, MDC Holdings CEO; Clare Wilson, VP Treasurer, MDC Holdings; Bob Martin, Rick Thomas, VP Real Estate, MDC Holdings; Charlie Smith
- (l to r): Justin Cumming, Stanton Dodge, Roger Hutson
- (l to r): Chantell Taylor, U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, Rep. Anthony Hartsook
- Dawn Patillo Exum (left), Meg Dubray
- The brunch crowd continues to grow.
- Congressman Joe Neguse (left), Andrew Feinstein
- (l to r): Steven Foster, Denver Rustlers principal Katie Kramer, Justin Cumming
- (l to r): Josh Hanfling, Larry Mizel, Rick Sapkin
- Shanahan’s buffet looked as good as it tasted.
- (l to r): Kacie Sallee, Taylor Szilagyi, Joe Miklos, Melissa Sampson, Mike O’Connell, Ashley House
- Victor Sulzer (left), Dan Schibler
- Shanahan’s…a place to hang your cowboy hat
- U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette and Charlie White
- Style at Shanahan’s
- (l to r): Meg Dubray, Colorado Sec. of State Jena Griswold, Alex Goddard, Dawn Patillo Exum
- Emily Teiffel
- (l to r): Bert Vescolani, Dan Gibbs, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis
- Brunch at Shanahan’s
- (l to r): William Browning, Sen. Chris Hansen, Kait Schwartz
- (l to r): Andrew Feinstein, Rep. Leslie Herod, Jason Gallardo
- Rep. Leslie Herod, Josh Hanfling
- Sam Bailey (left), Glenn Plagens
- Some members of the Colorado Cabinet, with friends
- Event sponsors
- Barry Hirschfeld (left) and Mark Truax
- Denver Rustlers principal Josh Hanfling and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
- It’s all smiles and laughs with this group.
- Kaycee Gerhart (left) and Crysta Rivera
- Lisandra Gonzales (left), Tisha Pierters
- Jerome Davis, Lindy Eichenbaum Lent
- (l to r): Dave Young, Treasurer of Colorado; Adams County Commissioner Emma Pitner; Heidi Williams, Civic Results; CU Regent Ilana Spiegel
- Larry Mizel (center) and friends
- Denver Rustlers organizer Larry Mizel
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (left) and Josh Hanfling
- Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
- Tim Schultz, Denver Rustlers organizer and former Colorado commissioner of agriculture
- (l to r): Josh Hanfling, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Larry Mizel, Rick Sapkin, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston