The weeks following July 4th out west is known as “Cowboy Christmas” for the number of rodeos that are held and available to participate in. Rodeos have their root in working ranches that held competitions where workers could test their skills.

People gather under a threatening sky that produced showers during the Snowmass Rodeo on Wednesday July 19, 2017 in Snowmass Village, CO. This is the 44th year for the weekly rodeo that runs from mid-June through August.