Rustling Up Bids For Kids At State Fair’s Junior Livestock $ale

Rustling Up Bids For Kids At State Fair's Junior Livestock $ale

Posted: Lisa Perry

Make no mistake, Denver Rustlers are the good guys. Every year, they descend on the Colorado State Fair’s Junior Livestock Sale as its largest buying group dressed in signature, distinctive Rockmount cowboy shirts. Their goal is to “rustle up” high bids for student exhibitors who use money garnered from their animal’s sale for college. Before the trek to Pueblo, the day begins in Denver at Shanahan’s Steakhouse with a tasty brunch and the chance to mix among the elected officials, civic leaders, business folks and philanthropists who make a point to attend.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

Always indicative of the high caliber of attendees is the fact that a couple hundred people representing a spectrum of viewpoints put aside any political differences to unite as a group to go help those kids. It’s a minor miracle, especially in an election year, and Denver Rustlers membership continues to grow. This year’s brunch marked the largest number of guests ever.

Sen. John Hickenlooper (left) and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

On Sept. 1, more than 200 supporters gathered to fuel up for the 100-mile bus trip. For the first time ever, Denver Rustlers co-founder Tim Schultz was missing, but it was an understandable excused absence—he was taking his son to college. The rest of the fearsome foursome leaders– Josh Hanfling, Larry Mizel and Katie Kramer— were on hand to guide guests through the day’s agenda. Sen. John Hickenlooper, Gov. Jared Polis and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston mingled then spoke to the crowd, and the day was marked by the announcement that the National Stock Show’s upcoming Citizen of the West prestigious honor goes to Larry Mizel. For more information, trot on over to https://www.denverrustlers.org/ .

: (l to r): Matthew Packard, Chief of Colorado State Patrol; Pat Grant, Chairman Emeritus of the National Western Stock Show; Sara Allen

: (l to r): Creigh Senich, Katie Behnke, Joel Harris, Michael Bugdanowitz

: Josh Hanfling (left), with Ernie Blake

: Francisco Avalos, Tate Caarpenter

: (l to r): Jeremy Kinney, Kyra Doud, Sean VanBerschot

: Volunteers set up the registration table with giveaways.

: Walter Isenberg (left) and L. Roger Hutson

: (l to r): Mark Honnen, Natriece Bryant, Kara van Stralen, Kasia Iwaniczko-MacLeod

: (l to r): Shanahan’s brunch team members Jensen and Malinda with Peter Tarkenton, Kyra Doud

: (l to r): Tiffany Sewell, Leslie Hamdorf, Matthew Packard, Meg Robbins, Tom Ruppel

: Charlie McNeil, Frances Koncilja

: (l to r): Greg Moore, Gov. Jared Polis, Doug Tisdale

: Denver Rustlers principal Josh Hanfling (left) with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

: Colorado Rep. Jamie Jackson (left) and Moira Cullen

: (l to r): Regis University’s director of communications Sheryl Tirol, Denver Rustlers co-founder Larry Mizel, new Regis University President Shawna Cooper Whitehead

: Denver Rustlers co-founder Larry Mizel (left), with leader Josh Hanfling,

: Denver Rustlers leadership (l to r): Josh Hanfling, Larry Mizel, Katie Kramer

: (l to r): Lee Ann Colacioppo, Denver Post executive editor; Celia Dietrich, L. Roger Hutson

: Former Denver Post Executive Editor Greg Moore (left) and Rockmount’s president and chief creative officer

: From the Colorado Governor’s Office (l to r): Olivia Neece, Jennifer Ferrall, Michaela Keegan, Natalie Alvarado

: (l to r): Stephanie Beasley, Sarah Tuneberg, Natriece Bryant

: Colorado State Representatives Jennifer Bacon (left), Yara Zokaie

: Joel Harris, Katie Behnke

: Colorado State Senator Kyle Mullica and Julie Duran Mullica, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners

: (l to r): Brian Becker, Harold Smethills, Robert Martin

: (l to r): Nick Carpenter, Hannah Baer, Sydney Futrell

: (l to r): Kelly Watkins, Tate Carpenter, Omar Moreno, Emma Pinter

: Brunch is served on the covered patio at Shanahan’s Steakhouse.

: (l to r): Ricki Blau, Shimon Blau, Rose Ouellette

: Barry Hirschfeld (left) and Denver Rustlers co-founder Dick Robinson

: (l to r): Executive Director of the Denver Department of Public Safety Al Gardner, Denver Sheriff Elias Diggins, U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper

: Josh Hanfling (left) and Sen. John Hickenlooper

: (l to r): Tripp K, Keri Christensen, Dragan Kojic

: (l to r): Al Gardner, Monica Martinez, Esther Lee Leach

: Volunteer Jack Baumgartner displays the Colorado 150th bandana given to all guests.

: (l to r): Kevin Patterson, Carrie Besnette Hauser, Pat Grant , Kevin Flynn

: Colorado State Senator Jeff Bridges picks up his official Denver Rustlers Rockmount shirt.

: Katie Kramer and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

: (l to r): Kyra Doud, Kendall Woods, Cullen Wold

: Denver Rustlers leader Josh Hanfling

: (l to r): Gov. Jared Polis, Katie Kramer, Larry Mizel, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

: Larry Mizel speaks to the crowd

: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

: Gov. Jared Polis (left) and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

: Denver Rustlers’ Katie Kramer

: Stanton Dodge (left) and Patrick Grant congratulate Larry Mizel after announcing he has been named the upcoming National Western Stock Show’s prestigious Citizen of the West.

: (l to r) Stanton Dodge, Larry Mizel, Pat Grant

: Sen. John Hickenlooper (left) and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

: (l to r): Denver Rustlers financial leader Katie Kramer, Stanton Dodge, Rustlers co-founder and upcoming 2027 Citizen of the West award recipient Larry Mizel, National Western’s Pat Grant, Sen. John Hickenlooper, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Rustlers leader Josh Hanfling

15 Jan

41st Annual MLK Jr. Business Awards

Posted: Pam Cress

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. uttered the famous words in 1963 that would reverberate across the nation and people’s hearts: “I Have a Dream.” That dream continues today as business and social justice leaders gathered for the 41st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Business Awards.

Every year since 1986, the business community has come together before the
national and Colorado holiday to recognize corporations, individuals and
non-profit organizations for their commitment to the values of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. as evidenced by their exemplary social responsibility. This is due to the remarkable vision and efforts of Hon. Wilma J. Webb, who was on hand to welcome well-wishers and join in the celebration, along with her esteemed husband, Hon. Wellington E. Webb.

As 2026 gets off to a bright new start, these outstanding individuals and companies were honored at the 41st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Business Awards:

Center for Equity and Excellence in Aviation–Phil Washington,
Kroenke Sports Charities,
Mas Torito – Kokoro Restaurants,
Mowa Haile – Sky Blue Builders,
Stephen Straight – Straight Marketing International
Terry Minggia – Umoja (Unity), Trailblazer Award

Speeches were given by Dr. Vern Howard, Mayor Mike Johnston and Visit Denver CEO Richard Scharf, and Mary Louise Lee delivered a resounding rendition of what has become known as the Black National Anthem: “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Dr. Cynthia Dickerson and David Coors presented a $30,000 check to Jay Grimm of Denver Kids.

The crowd was lively and enthusiastic as we enter into the Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance and celebration, on what would have been Dr. King’s 97th birthday.

His dream and values live on today and we continually strive to reach and soar above them.

: Welcome to the 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Business Awards

: Jayne Buck and Richard Scharf

: Chartashia Miller and Ahmad Lowe

: Michael and Suzy Chipman

: Tamara Terrell, Marie Quinn, Lanye Banks

: Generous sponsors

: Stephanie Laing and Tony Jordan

: Vickye Palmer, Keisha Sabelko, Kesha Cayhill Taylor, Mildred Cahill

: Kelley Cocher, left, and Kerry Biren

: Arkan Haile, Jasmine Solis, Alex McDonald

: Ahmad Lowe, left, and David Boyd

: Andrew Jackson, Isaiah Grange, Rosana Winarto, Don Choubhury, Shantel Dodge, Dan Hernandez

: Lauren Gross, Dianne Myles, Maria G Neleandez

: Mary Louise Lee, left, and Terry Nelson

: Zaneta Kelsey, left, Elycia R Cook, David Rivera, Rodney Gullatte

: Cliff Huston, Jeri Korshak and Stephen Straight (award recipient)

: Kelyn Lanier, left, Brandon Willis, Alphonso Hawkins

: Julie and Dan Shea

: Terence Brown and Julianne Pappano

: The Denver Kids table

: Chartashia Miller, Dr. Vern Howard, Suzy Chipman, Johnnie Williams

: Hon. Wellington E Webb and Hon. Wilma J Webb

: Tony Jordan, left, Andy Boian, Tyler Borzileri

: The Johns Manville table

: Dominic Karaba, left, Bruce Alexander, Nick LeMasters

: Haroun Cowans, left, and Justin Gilmore

: Joe Sinisi, left, Sean Choi, Tony Oum

: Andrea Albo, left, Lulu Lantzy, Stephanie Knight

: Tamara Banks did a superb job as emcee

: Pastor Eldridge Sims started the proceedings with a prayer

: Dr. Cynthia Dickerson and David Coors (right) present a check to Jay Grimm of Denver Kids

: Hon. Wellington E Webb, Hon. Wilma J. Webb, awardee Phil Washington of Center for Equity and Excellence in Aviation, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

: Hon. Wellington E Webb, Hon. Wilma J Webb, awardee Deb Dowling of Kroenke Sports Charities, and Mayor Mike Johnston

: Mas Torito is congratulated by Hon. Wellington E Webb

: Hon. Wellington E Webb, Hon. Wilma J Webb, awardee Mas Torito of Kokoro Restaurants, Mayor Mike Johnston

: Hon. Wellington E Webb, Hon. Wilma J Webb, awardee Mowa Haile of Sky Blue Builders, Mayor Mike Johnston

: Hon. Wilma Webb presents Stephen Straight with his award

: Hon. Wellington E Webb, Hon. Wilma J Webb, awardee Stephen Straight, Mayor Mike Johnston

: Hon. Wellington E Webb, Hon. Wilma J Webb, Trailblazer awardee Terry Minggia, Umoja (Unity) and Mayor Mike Johnston