Denver Rustlers Pre-Fair Brunch: Head ’em Up, Move ’em On

Denver Rustlers Pre-Fair Brunch: Head 'em Up, Move 'em On

Posted: Lisa Perry

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

30 Aug

Denver Rustlers Breakfast Fuels Livestock Bidder$ For Trip To State Fair

Posted: Lisa Perry

The principal organizers and managers of the group don’t have official job titles and they’re 100 percent unpaid. The organization’s annual signature event doesn’t even have a proper name. And aren’t rustlers supposed to be bad-guy livestock thieves? Denver Rustlers defy convention on every front in a good way, existing solely to help hard-working Future Farmers of America and 4-H youth earn money for college by bidding on showcase animals at the Junior Livestock Sale at the Colorado State Fair.

Denver Rustlers at the breakfast reception

The premise is simple: Bidders comprised of prominent business leaders and elected officials meet in Denver for breakfast, mix and mingle, board buses to Pueblo and open their wallets at the sale. And in addition to getting the satisfaction that comes from supporting some great kids, they have a lot of fun along the way.

On Tuesday, Aug. 30, members met at Shanahan’s Steakhouse wearing a traditional cowboy hat and the group’s signature Rockmount Ranch Wear shirt to get in a Denver Rustlers frame of mind for the 100-mile trip to Pueblo. After enjoying a brunch buffet, a short program included remarks both serious and light-hearted from: Josh Hanfling, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, Gov. Jared Polis, Larry Mizel, Tim Schultz and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.

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

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.

Lisa Roy and Rick Garcia

After two decades of courageous leadership, in 2016 Pueblo native Frances Koncilja passed the reins of the Denver Rustlers to Josh Hanfling. Hanfling brings almost three decades of experience in business and philanthropy to this role and continues Koncilja’s great work on behalf of the Rustlers. Hanfling works alongside Laura Teal, Chief of Staff to Larry A. Mizel, to plan and execute the Denver Rustlers in a manner honoring the work of the many great Coloradoan philanthropists who continue to support 4-H and FFA. Learn more at: https://www.denverrustlers.org/. To see coverage at the State Fair by photojournalist Pam Cress, go to: https://photos.blacktie-colorado.com/event/denver-rustlers-continue-to-support-junior-livestock-sale/ .

: Denver Rustlers volunteers at the registration table

: (l to r); Gloria Schoch, Donna Upson, Lynnea Hutton, Kasia Iwanicko-MacLeod

: Bert Vescolani (left) and John Fabbricatore

: Mizraim Cordero (left) and Rep. David Ortiz

: (l to r): Chip Taylor, Totsy Rees, Lynn Baca

: Jennifer Mello and Sen. James Coleman

: Greeting Rustlers at the registration table

: (l to r): Kasia Iwanicko-MacLeod, Leanna Clark, Bradley Joseph, Steve Weil and Debbie Jessup

: Debbie Jessup and Tim Schultz

: Preparing for the Denver Rustlers

: (l to r): Chantel Taylor, Liz Concordia and Jim Cole

: Denver City Council member Amanda Sawyer and Bert Vescolani

: Emma Pinter and Sam Bailey

: (l to r): Kelsey Olson, Mike O’Connell, Mark Truax, Tricia Oakes, Tim Schultz

: David Oppenheim and Laura Clellan

: Morgan Medlock and Rick Garcia

: Bradley Joseph (left), Kasia Iwanicko-MacLeod, Charles Gilford

: Michelle Barnes and Dan Gibbs

: (l to r): Glenn Plagens, Sam Bailey, Nicole Ament, JJ Ament

: (l to r): Gloria Schoch, Angela Lieurance, Jocelyn Hittle, Sen. Chris Hansen, Megan Mahncke

: Paul Lundeen (left) and Brian Roth

: (l to r): Matt Hopper, Steve O’Dorisio, Bert Vescolani

: (l to r): Matthew Grooves, Dave Davia, Todd VonLintel

: Jaime Gardner (left) and Harold Smethills

: (l to r): Monica McCafferty, John Kim, Sean Tonner and Steve Weil (member shirts sporting 1950s design created by his father)

: Hearty food with a pretty setting at Shanahan’s.

: Tim Jackson (center) and friends

: Adam Frisch (left) and Rick Sapkin

: (l to r): John Fabbricatore, Jacob Wager, Wayne Williams

: (l to r): Wayne Williams, Sen. Kevin Van Winkle, Josh Hanfling

: (l to r): Celia Dietrich, Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Megan McIver

: Lisa Roy and Rick Garcia

: Inside Shanahan’s Steakhouse

: Katie Behnke (left) and Megan Mahncke

: Jaime Gardner and Harold Smethills

: (l to r): Mary Kay Hogan, Sean Tonner, Rep. Mike Lynch

: Mike O’Connell (left) and Mark Truax

: Tisha Pieters with Carlo Ferreira (center) and Matt Hopper

: (l to r): RD Sewald, Dave Davia, Todd VonLintel

: (l to r): Phil Weiser, Lynn Granger, Mary Kay Hogan, Dave Davia

: Paul Aylmer with Barry Hirschfeld

: (l to r): Robert Kenny, Steve Weil, Lynnea Hutton, Tyler Smith

: (l to r): Alec Garnett, Rep. Naquetta Ricks, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb

: (l to r): U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Naquetta Ricks, Wayne Williams

: Melanie Pearlman and Larry Mizel

: (l to r): U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, Joe and Katie Kramer, Sean Tonner, Mike Kopp

: (l to r): Patty Salazar, Shoshana Lew, Kate Greenberg, Eve Lieberman, Kara Veitch

: Robert Kenney and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock

: Shanahan’s Steakhouse provided a hearty breakfast buffet in stylish digs.

: Catching up on the terrace

: Deryn Sousa and Sam Peyton

: Denver Rustlers at the breakfast reception

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

: Gov. Jared Polis (left) and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock

: Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (left) and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

: Denver Mayor Michael Hancock speaks to the crowd.

: It’s not karaoke, but reaction to a comment by Larry Mizel (l to r: Gov. Jared Polis, Larry Mizel and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock).

: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

: U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet

: Josh Hanfling (left) and Tim Schultz

: Larry Mizel (left) and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet

: Larry Mizel (left) and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock

: Let’s ride!

10 Nov

2015 MPMSDC Bus Tour Builds Minority Business Relationships

Posted: Lisa Perry

Talk about good fortune from the weather gods. Representatives and prospective members of this year’s Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council annual bus tour were able to enjoy a rare, 67-degree November day—just before a major snowstorm—to visit a spectrum of certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) around the Denver metro area.

A pull-up fitness bar in the office? You bet!

The genial business gurus boarded the bus at 8:30 a.m. and traveled to locations where member businesses were able to show off their success as well as their personality. At Campos EPC in LoDo, owner Marco Campos even added an impromptu demonstration of pull-up bar and Swagway skills to his site tour.

Participants were rewarded with mementos at each stop, enjoyed a hearty lunch, and the day ended at Society Sports and Spirits, where they were able to kick back and talk about their experience. The common thread of post-event comments? Building relationships…as well as planning on attending next year’s tour.

The group relaxes with food, beverages and good conversation.

The mission of the Mountain Plains Minority Supplier Development Council is to provide Corporate America and government entities with greater access to the goods and services of minority-owned business in order to develop lasting and mutually beneficial business relationships. As an affiliate regional council of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) serving Colorado, Kansas, Western Missouri, and Nebraska, the organization provides a direct link between Corporate America and Asian-, Black-, Hispanic- and Native American-owned businesses.

Today there are over 130 local corporations and government entities involved with the council, and over 500 minority-owned businesses certified with the Mountain Plains MSDC. Several of these certified MBEs have grown to the level of Fortune 500 companies and achieved Corporate Plus status with the NMSDC. Through the extensive certification process, corporate member support, free networking events, educational programs and supplier diversity initiatives MPMSDC strives to develop minority-owned businesses to their full potential. For more information, please visit: www.mpmsdc.org