RODEO

family. I binge-watch “Friends” and have it all on DVD.

Isabelle: I am so busy all the time. I work at Qdoba, I do re science through my school. It’s like a youth re academy. I also barrel race.

The Elizabeth Stampede motto is “Life. Liberty. Rodeo.” Why is promoting the Western way of life important to you?

Kyra: Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t realize the Western way of life is still around. It is a dying industry in some areas, so it is important to continue promoting the Western way of life. It is a part of who we are in America and a part of our history. We need agriculture to survive. For our competition speech, we got to express why agriculture is so important to the United States and to the world. Rodeo is still important because it’s a part of our history and heritage and it’s a lot of fun. It’s important to honor that.

Isabelle: I personally am a big advocate for hard work. You get out what you put in with your e ort. I think agriculture is a huge deal in the United States. We’ll be losing so much land to cities and buildings over the next few decades. With the school curriculum we have now, not as many kids are being taught about agriculture and its importance. Being advocates for that is a huge thing.

How does rodeo royalty help promote these goals?

Kyra: One thing I learned from my previous title as Elbert County Fair Queen and that I’m continuing to learn from this title as Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Queen is that promoting these goals is the job of royalty. To promote our rodeos, of course, but to also promote the western way of life and to focus on agriculture. at’s a huge part of our Western heritage. at is the job of royalty. We can do our research on agriculture and why it is still important in 2023 and beyond. We can continue to educate people about it even though our demographic is changing. Even though the demographic in Elizabeth is changing, it gives us more opportunity to educate about agriculture and how it is still alive and well and how we can continue to improve.

Some people perceive rodeo royalty as just “girls with pretty faces and cute hats.” Why is rodeo royalty so much more than that?

Kyra: Honestly, royalty is really important to the industry, but it also teaches the girls a lot. I have learned so much, not just about rodeo and agriculture, but also my- self. I’ve learned how I can improve and represent this industry well, even when I’m not in sash and crown. I don’t need a crown to promote the rodeo and the importance of agriculture. It makes me sad to think that rodeo royalty is “just another pretty face” with ashy crowns. We are so much more. We are the ones that promote agriculture and rodeo. We are the ones that little girls look up to and question if they want to be royalty one day, or barrel race, or work on a farm. We’re the ones that promote it and inspire others to continue down the same path.

Isabelle: For me, growing up barrel racing, I lived in a completely di erent world. You are surrounded by completely di erent people and di erent aspects of the rodeo. Growing up, I saw the royalty as girls I didn’t really want to be around, just because I didn’t really know much about them. Knowing a lot more about it, royalty is completely di erent than how I perceived it as a child. At National Western I learned that every single royalty girl comes from a di erent place. Some girls really love pageantry and rodeo and have big goals of being Miss Rodeo Colorado. You get to learn about their journeys. But for me, having people look at you as just a pretty face is hurtful. We are more than that. e Elizabeth Stampede is such a big rodeo. We kick o the rodeo season in Colorado. And we represent that.

What would you say to the little girls interested in doing rodeo royalty?

Kyra: Do it. I would tell them to never give up and to keep smiling. Keep trying until you get it, because one day you will, and it is going to mean a lot.

Isabelle: Do it. If you don’t think you can do it, you can. at was my thing. I came from no background in royalty, and I tried and got it. If you have the passion and a goal, you are either going to put in work and get down the path you want to go or nd yourself down a path you could never even imagine. If you don’t try at all, you’re never going to get anything out of it. Even if I didn’t get the crown, I still got the experience of trying, the experience of competing. Just do it.

What are you looking forward to during your 2023 reign as Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Royalty?

Kyra: De nitely the Elizabeth Stampede itself. I’m mostly looking forward to going to all of the other rodeos across the Mountain be fun to support them at their own rodeos. I’m also really looking forward to Cheyenne Frontier Days. I’ve also heard great things about Larimer Jubilee Days, so I’m excited to go to that one as well. busy start so far,” said manager Camron Overt. “It’s a great community out here. I know McDonald’s is really excited to be out in Elbert County.” e new McDonald’s has proven to be very successful so far. Residents have ocked to the restaurant, creating a steady stream of cars at the drive-thru with many choosing to

Isabelle: I’m excited to travel. I love adventuring and seeing new things. I love rodeo too, so now I get to do both of them.

What are your post-reign goals?

Kyra: I would love to compete for Miss Rodeo Colorado, but I want to get through school rst. Most of the girls who have won the title have college educations, so that is my hope.

Isabelle: I potentially would like to try out for Elizabeth Stampede Queen next year. It would be during my senior year and while I’m working to prepare for the re academy, so I don’t know yet. If I don’t end up doing more royalty, I’ll de nitely stay in the rodeo world.

For more information on the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo Royalty, visit elizabethstampede.com/ index.php/get-involved/royalty.

You can also nd Kyra and Isabelle representing the Elizabeth Stampede on the o cial royalty social media. Find them on Facebook at facebook.com/esrqueens and on Instagram.

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“I live in Gold Creek and I am happy to have it,” said Elizabeth resident Shelly Turnbull. “I like having a place to drive through for breakfast before my commute to the ere are, however, some Elizabeth residents that are unhappy with the new addition to Elizabeth West. Sandra Fitzsimmons lives across Highway 86 from the McDonald’s and is upset with the development.

“I am extremely displeased with the McDonald’s across the street from our house. When we moved here, there were no plans of anything being built there. We’ve even talked about the possibility of selling the house because of this,” commented Fitzsimmons in an email correspondence from Jan. 31. “Number one, McDonald’s is the most unhealthy food you can eat, and number two, the tra c is going to be a nightmare. ere’s no light there and the stench of fried food when I walk outside my door is just gross.”

Other area locals who have an anti-development stance, have found personal bene t from the McDonald’s coming to Elizabeth

“I live here in Elizabeth. I’m one of those people who don’t want new businesses coming in. I still don’t like it. But they’re paying such good money,” commented McDonald’s crew member Astrida Tobiss on Jan. 27. “I’ve realized that the change is going to happen. And working here, I can stay close to home.”

Thu 2/16

ARTS: Mini Picasso @ Harvard Gulch

@ 5pm Feb 16th - Mar 16th

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

ARTS: Preschool Pottery @ Harvard Gulch

@ 6:15pm Feb 16th - Mar 16th

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center, 550 E. Iliff Ave., Denver. 720-913-0654

Fri 2/17

School Break Camp - 2/17 @ 7:30am / $45 Parker Fieldhouse, 18700 E Plaza Dr., Parker. 303-805-6315

Sat 2/18

Dave Mensch - Tailgate Tavern - Parker, CO

@ 4pm

Tailgate Tavern & Grill, 19552 Mainstreet, Parker Teague Starbuck

@ 5pm Sunroom Brewing, 3242 S Acoma St, En‐glewood

Journey Girls Live at Herman's Hideaway

@ 7pm Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Vamonos Pest/Mobro: Mobro at Brewability Lab @ 6pm Brewability Lab, 3445 S Broadway, Englewood

Denver: Amit Tandon Stand-Up Comedy Live 2023 @ 7pm

Rock Canyon High School, 5810 McArthur Ranch Rd, Littleton

Lusid: Flight of the Dojo w/ Dillard @ 9pm the dojo denver, 665 Depew St, Lakewood

Sun 2/19

Tianna Esperanza @ 7pm Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Mick Flannery @ 7pm Swallow Hill, 71 E Yale Ave, Denver

Mon 2/20

Last Call Romance: Hearts & Hops Sock Hop @ 6:30pm Lone Tree Brewing Company, 8200 Park Meadows Dr #8222, Lone Tree

Adam Ezra Group: A Solo Acoustic Evening with Adam Ezra at The Schoolhouse **POSTPONED** @ 7:30pm

The Schoolhouse at Mainstreet, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker

BAILE DEL DIA DEL AMOR Y LA

AMISTAD @ 8:30pm / $50-$60 Stampede, 2430 South Havana, Aurora

Samia w/ Tommy Lefroy @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 South Broadway, Englewood

Tommy Lefroy @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Tue 2/21

Handwriting: Pre-Writing (3 to 5 yrs) W/S23 @ 11:30pm

Feb 21st - Mar 28th

Parker Recreation Center, 17301 E Lincoln Ave., Parker

Eric Golden @ 8pm Sheabeens Irish Pub, 2300 S Chambers Rd #A, Aurora

The Doo Wop Project @ 8pm Lone Tree Arts Center, 10075 Commons St, Lone Tree

Dear Marsha,: Chicks with Picks! DM ALBUM RELEASE with No Small Children, Melissa Crispo, Bug Frances @ 7pm Wild Goose Saloon, Parker LATRICE ROYALE @ 8pm Gothic Theatre, 3263 S Broadway, Engle‐wood

Pretend Friend @ 9pm

The Englewood Tavern, 4386 S Broadway, Englewood

Loktavious @ 7pm

Herman's Hideaway, 1578 S Broadway, Denver

Wed 2/22 Thu 2/23

Art: Hands-On Introduction to DSLR Photography (16+yrs) @ 2am

Feb 23rd - Mar 22nd PACE Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker

Stephen Pearcy @ 8pm Wild Goose Saloon, 11160 S Pikes Peak Dr, Parker