DENVER – Today, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and National Western Stock Show (NWSS) reunited to kick off the return of the Stock Show at the 28th Boots ‘n Business Presented by U.S. Bank. The Denver Metro Chamber announced at the event its pledge of $250,000 to the Honoring the Legacy Campaign to support the creation of the National Western Center. This gift is part of the Chamber’s longtime support for the National Western Stock Show, which dates back to the Stock Show’s start in 1906.
“Now that the National Western Stock Show has entered its next ambitious chapter to raise $100 million for the National Western Center, we’re here to support this iconic Colorado institution once again,” said Chamber President and CEO J. J. Ament. “The Chamber has pledged to donate $250,000 to the Honoring the Legacy campaign to make sure the National Western Center is home to the National Western Stock Show for at least another 100 years, and also to expand and enhance this regional asset into a world-class hub for agriculture, education and innovation.”
Ament and Chamber Board Chair Mark Spiecker joined National Western Stock Show President and CEO Paul Andrews, Western Stock Show Association Board Chair Doug Jones and Capital Campaign Chair Pete Coors to unveil a replica plaque on stage. The actual plaque will be on the National Western Center grounds under the United States, Colorado and Denver Metro Chamber flags.
Boots ‘n Business also featured remarks from Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, who joined by video, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.
“The Stock Show is back and back in full force,” Gov. Polis told the 800 attendees.
Entertainment included performances by the Westernaires Freedom Riders, long horn parade steers, trick-roper Ketch Weaver and equestrian entertainer Nicolas Diaz.
Both Ament and Andrews talked about the importance of the agriculture industry to Colorado. Colorado’s food and agriculture industry generates more than $40 billion in economic output annually with local companies exporting their products to over 100 countries, according to the annual industry cluster reports from the Chamber’s Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. The 3,200 companies that make up the food and agriculture industry directly employ nearly 48,000 Coloradans.
While this event recognizes the importance of agriculture in Colorado, it also provides a pathway for Colorado youth to pursue their education in agriculture, rural medicine and veterinary science. A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit the National Western Scholarship Trust. Since its inception in 1983, the Trust has awarded thousands of scholarships, funding the future of Colorado’s agriculture industry.
The 2022 Boots ‘n Business event was presented by U.S. Bank, alongside Entertainment Sponsor Hensel Phelps, Innovations in Agriculture Sponsor Molson Coors and Networking Reception Sponsor Sherman & Howard.
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
For nearly 154 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been a leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the state, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses. The Chamber’s family of organizations includes the Metro Denver EDC, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Competitive Council, B:CIVIC, Prosper Colorado and the Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative. For more information, go to denverchamber.org.
About National Western Stock Show
Established in 1906, the National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate level scholarships in agricultural science, business and rural medicine. It is our mission to serve producers and consumers throughout the world by being the premier annual livestock show and center for year-round events. The 16-day show in January also serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular season professional rodeos, world-class horse shows, family, educational events and Colorado’s largest western trade show. For more information, visit nationalwestern.com.