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

28 Aug

Happy Trails To The Colorado State Fair Begin With Denver Rustlers Brunch

Posted: Lisa Perry

This year, Denver Rustlers are celebrating their 40th annual trip to the Colorado State Fair, y’all. Though they do their important, hands-on good work in Pueblo bidding at the Junior Livestock Sale, great things also happen at their pre-roadtrip brunch in Denver. For instance, the folks who gather at brunch all get the memo to wear the iconic, custom Rockmount Western shirt and straw hat, and add their own denim accents. And they comply! Maybe dressing alike isn’t a first choice, but everyone knows there’s strength in that Western uniform—it easily identifies them as Denver Rustlers, the largest buying group at the sale.

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper (left) and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

Additionally, these busy Denverites are willing to spend an entire day for the cause, taking time for brunch, the 100-mile bus trip to Pueblo, time at the sale, then the return excursion to Denver. Most miraculous? These people are elected officials, sponsors and other well-known supporters from all parties and competing viewpoints who unite for a day every year with one agenda: to get those 4-H and FFA junior exhibitors to college with high bids for their animals. Denver Rustlers are a convivial group. Pretty uplifting to see!

Current Denver Rustlers principals (l to r): Josh Hanfling, Tim Schultz, Larry Mizel, Katie Kramer

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, Denver Rustlers met up at Shanahan’s Steakhouse for three hours of the restaurant’s delectable food, beverages and atmosphere. The annual agenda is simple: register, chow on tasty brunch offerings, mix and mingle, hear the gameplan from organizers and board the buses—then it’s State Fair or bust. Well-known names we spotted in the brunch crowd: U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and original Denver Rustlers co-founder Eddie Robinson. The current four principal organizers are: Larry Mizel and Tim Schultz (both, original co-founders), Josh Hanfling and Katie Kramer.

Denver Rustlers has raised more than $3 million used at the Junior Livestock Sale—and counting. To learn more, go to: https://www.denverrustlers.org/.

: (l to r): Denver Rustlers principals Katie Kramer and Josh Hanfling, with State Sen. Kevin Van Winkle

: Guests begin to arrive for the pre-roadtrip brunch at Shanahan’s Steakhouse.

: (l to r); Jeannie Vanderburg, John Cooke, Alison Morgan

: Talking over a cup of coffee

: Bert Vescolani (left) and president of Rockmount Ranch Wear, Steve Weil. The iconic Denver Rustlers shirt is from Rockmount.

: JJ Ament (left) with Shanahan’s Steakhouse rep Millie King

: A mimosa toast with Katie Kramer and friends

: (l to r): Morgan Biddison, Alison Morgan, Samantha Nuechterlein, Jeannie Vanderburg

: Shanahan’s owner Marc Steron (left) and Stanton Dodge

: For guests who didn’t have their own cowboy hats.

: Generous event sponsor

: (l to r): Norm Franke, Andrew Feinstein, JJ Ament

: Frances Koncilja, JJ Ament

: Mark Truax, Tricia Oakes

: At the patio reception

: John Cooke (left), Colo. Sen Kevin Van Winkle

: Three of the four current Denver Rustlers principals (l to r): Tim Schultz, Katie Kramer, Josh Hanfling

: Carolyn Zbavitel, David McReynolds

: (l to r): Barb Kirkmeyer, Stanton Dodge, Katie Behnke

: Brent Neiser

: Volunteer Lily Ortega shows the Denver Rustlers 40th anniversary pin

: Josh Hanfling (left) and Tim Jackson

: (l to r): Josh Hanfling, State Sen. James Coleman, Josh Miller

: Matt Johnston and Sarah Gist

: Josh Miller (left), Mike Stratton

: (l to r): Lisa Roy, Angie Paccione, Dannette Smith

: (l to r): Joe Kramer, Tim Schultz, Tim Jackson, Colorado Sen. James Coleman

: (l to r): Dannette Smith, Kevin Patterson, Debbie Brown

: (l to r): State Sen. Rhonda Fields, Angie Paccione, CSU President Amy Parsons, Andres Carrera

: Selecting items from Shanahan’s brunch buffet

: Becky O’Brien (left), Alejandra Major

: (l to r): April Jones, John Faught, Kevin Patterson

: Morgan Biddison (left), Janel Forde

: (l to r): Maria Garcia Berry, Rick Stott, Katie Behnke

: Getting her nametag and a 40th anniversary pin

: (l to r): Ray Gonzales, Ellie Reynolds, Matt La Crue

: Stephen Brody, Susan Hertzberg

: (l to r): Clare Wilson, Tim Craft, John Fabbricatore, Bob Martin

: (l to r): Abe Laydon, Nikky Patel, Dan Gibbs

: (l to r): Melanie Pearlman, Chelsea Carver, Christine Benero, Bert Vescolani, Doug Tisdale

: Larry Mizel (left) and Mark Truax

: Current Denver Rustlers principals (l to r): Josh Hanfling, Tim Schultz, Larry Mizel, Katie Kramer

: Denver Rustlers principal Josh Hanfling (left), with Gov. Jared Poiis

: (l to r); Sarah McCarthy, Esther Lee, Erin Flores

: U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper (left) and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

: Everyone wants to be in a photo with Gov. Jared Polis (third from left).

: (l to r): Andrew Feinstein, Eddie Robinson, Josh Hanfling

: Gov. Jared Polis, Eddie Robinson, Josh Hanfling

: (l to r): Katie Kramer, Gov. Jared Polis, Eddie Robinson, Josh Hanfling, Tim Schultz

: Frances Koncilja with Colorado U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse

: (l to r): Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg, Taylor Szilagyi, Morgan Biddison

: Colorado U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper (left), CSU President Amy Parsons, Colorado U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse

: U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper chats with CSU President Amy Parsons

: Gov. Jared Polis (left) and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston chat before the program.

: Denver Rustlers original co-founders Larry Mizel (left) and Eddie Robinson, with Sen. John Hickenlooper

: Gov. Jared Polis chats with guests.

: U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper

: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

: Tim Schultz

: (l to r): Tim Schultz, Josh Hanfling, Shanahan’s owner Marc Steron, Larry Mizel

: Colorado Sen. Rhonda Fields (seated) and friends

15 May

Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce Girls Rising Event

Posted: ML Chavez

The 2nd annual “Girls Rising: Building a Pipeline of Female Leaders” honored five young college students with scholarships and offered a panel discussion from women leaders from throughout the Denver metro region. This year’s event, hosted by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, was held Wednesday morning, May 15 at the Hilton Denver City Center in downtown Denver.

Emcee meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo of KMGH/Denver7 introduced keynote speaker Susan Frew, an author and woman business owner who found success in a predominantly male industrial field. Also on hand were: Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) President/CEO Kristen Blessman; CWCC Board Chair Deb Siverson; and Lorii Rabinowitz, CEO of the Denver Scholarship Foundation.

Frew is CEO of Sunshine Plumbing, Heating & Air and author of “The Pufferfish Effect: Secrets to Crush Your Competition.” She provided guests with some hard-fought lessons that she picked up from her personal and professional struggles as a woman-owned business in a traditionally male-dominated industry. The entry-point for many women in non-traditional careers is a continuous support of education for STEM careers. Today, about 29% of STEM jobs (science, technology, engineering, and math) are held by women. However, only 1-2% of electricians and plumbers are women, and Frew made a case to encourage more women to enter the high-paying trade professions.

This year’s 5 scholarship recipients represent CSU, UCD, Metro State, and CCD

Participants from the business community heard from government, non-profit and for-profit business leaders who addressed what is being done and what still needs to be done to change perceived career options for women. The event honored five top female students entering non-traditional fields. College student scholarships were awarded to help them take the next step in their education and careers.
Presenting Sponsor for this year’s event was Xcel Energy with Sustaining Sponsors: Cummings, Denver Water, and the Denver Scholarship Foundation.

As part of the event a 5-member panel discussion was held to discuss today’s challenges for women in the workplace and personal stories of achievement from the world of entrepreneurs, politics, philanthropy, top-tier corporate industries, and small businesses. This year’s “Girls Rising” Panel of Experts was moderated by Paige Goss of Point Solutions Group. Panelists featured were: Makisha Boothe of Sistahpreneurs; Denise Burgess of Burgess Services, Inc.; Polly Lawrence, Government Affairs; Carrie Morgridge of the Morgridge Family Foundation; and Laura Roberts of Xcel Energy.

Special congratulations to the 2019 Girls Rising Scholars:
• Lucy Appel– studying Construction Management at Colorado State University
• Giselle Barrios– studying International Business at University of Colorado at Denver
• Odalis Castro – studying Bioengineering at at University of Colorado at Denver
• Katya Torres – studying Civil Engineering at Metro State University of Denver
• Sierra Morales – studying Criminal Justice at the Community College of Denver

For more information regarding the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce visit: www.cwcc.org

: Emcee Lisa Hidalgo shared her personal challenges as a mom & meteorologist

: Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Kristen Blessman

: Keynote Speaker Susan Frew

: More than 400 attended this year’s event

: Keynote Speaker Susan Frew

: Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Deb Siverson

: The 2nd Annual “Girls Rising” event attracted 400+ guests

: Young women listen to businesswomen speakers

: Moderator Paige Goss oversaw the 5-member panel discussion featuring: Makisha Boothe, Denise Burgess, Polly Lawrence, Carrie Morgridge, and Laura Roberts.

: Former CO Congresswoman and Panelist Polly Lawrence

: Panelist and SBA recipient of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Makisha Boothe, founder of Sistahpreneurs

: Panelist Denise Burgess, board member of the Denver Foundation and the Denver Metro Chamber

: Plenty of advice and perspectives from women business leaders and entrepreneurs

: Xcel Energy was Presenting Sponsor for this year’s event

: The CO Women’s Chamber of Commerce event is an opportunity for Colorado women to network and engage

: 5 Panelists represented various industries throughout Colorado

: Moderator Paige Goss–CEO of Point Solutions Group–asked questions from the 5 businesswomen

: Makisha Boothe ponders a question

: The 5 panelists this year represented state government, small business entrepreneuralism, non-profit foundations, and the energy industry

: As a meteorologist and mother of two daughters, KMGH/The Denver Channel Emcee Lisa Hidalgo shared her personal experiences

: KMGH/Denver7 Meteorologist praised the women entrepreneurs and student scholarship winners

: Denver Scholarship Foundation CEO Lorii Rabinowitz praised this year’s 5 student scholarship winners

: Denver Scholarship Foundation CEO Lorii Rabinowitz

: Videos of each student scholarship winners each described their academic path

: Metro State University of Denver civil engineering student scholarship winner

: Colorado State University Construction Management scholarship winner Lucy Appel

: Community Colege of Denver Criminal Justice scholarship award winner Sierra Morales

: University of Colorado at Denver International Business scholarship award winner Giselle Barrios

: University of Colorado at Denver Bioengineering scholarship award winner Odalis Castro

: Guests sign up for more information regarding the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce

: Some of this year’s panelists included: Carrie Morgridge, Makisha Boothe, Moderator Paige Goss, Laura Roberts, and Polly Lawrence

: This year’s 5 scholarship receipients represent CSU, UCD, Metro State, and CCD schools

: Scholarships recipients represent a wide range of academic disciplines including bioengineering, international business, construction management, civil engineering, and criminal justice

: Emcee Lisa Hidalgo (center) and CWCC President/CEO Kristen Blessman (far right) honor scholarship recipients

: Carolyn, Renee, Sophie, Michelle of the Denver Scholarship Foundation

: Cheri Vargo, Lorri Rabinowitz of The Denver Scholarship Foundation

: Scholarship award winner Odalis Castro with mom