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May 25, 2017
A NEED FOR SPEED: Young racer learns more than just the rules of the road P10
ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
Memorial Day marked by two services in county American Legion, VFW, Scouts host rites for fallen veterans BY JODI HORNER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Memorial Day weekend in Elbert County will provide two opportunities to honor the county’s veterans. Special services to be held at the Kiowa/Elbert and Elizabeth cemeteries will hosted by members of the American Legion, VFW, and the Boy Scouts of America.
years of a good rodeo,” said Elizabeth Stampede Board of Directors Vice President Traci Swisher. In addition to its status as a PRCA rodeo, the Stampede will mark 65 continuous years as an organized rodeo. A parade, live music, bull riding, award-winning rodeo performances and belt buckle awards are all in the lineup for the Stampede’s weekend of events. “Everybody loves bull riding. That’s why on Friday night we have all bulls,” Swisher said. “We have some excellent riders. We’re told we get such excellent
Kiowa/Elbert service At daybreak on Memorial Day, May 29, the flag is run to half-staff to honor deceased veterans. “This ceremony honors the courage, sacrifice and service of our local ElbertKiowa veterans,” said Ric Morgan, veterans service officer for Elbert County and American Legion Post 182 commander. Beginning at 9 a.m., members of the American Legion and VFW will be accompanied by the Scouts and American Heritage Girls to render individual honors at the graves of over 100 veterans interred at the cemetery by placing a flag, laying a flower wreath and giving a hand salute. “The veterans buried in our small cemetery represent service beginning in the Indian Wars and the Civil War all the way through to the war in Iraq,” Morgan said. For the 11 a.m. part of the service, “Two dozen chairs are brought in and set up for seniors, but most of the crowd stands through the 20-minute ceremony or brings their own fold-out chairs,” Morgan said. “We’re deeply honored to be joined by
SEE STAMPEDE, P6
SEE MEMORIAL, P9
Josh Peek of Pueblo charges on his horse during a calf-roping event at the 2016 Elizabeth Stampede.
COURTESY PHOTO
Stampede shows how West gets wild PRCA-sanctioned rodeo brings big deal to small town BY JODI HORNER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Elizabeth Stampede will continue to carry the torch of Western pride as it hosts its 30th Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioned event June 1-4. “The PRCA is to rodeos what the NFL is to football,” said Elizabeth Stampede Board of Directors President Jace Glick.
“We’re the big leagues, we’re Elbert County’s only PRCA rodeo. We’re also Elbert County’s most inclusive rodeo. We have around 60 sponsors, and we’ll have 60 vendors that will financially benefit,” he said. Glick gave the examples of 12 local organizations that also benefit financially from the rodeo, including the Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts, the Chamber and the sheriff ’s office. The Stampede’s catchphrase this year is “Pearl of the West,” since the 30th is considered the “pearl” anniversary. “That’s a big accomplishment because it’s hard to put on that many
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
‘We were able to find common ground that will hopefully spur more condos being built.’ Crisanta Duran, speaker of state House | Page 4 INSIDE
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VOLUME 122 | ISSUE 17