In keeping with the Mancos town motto “Where the West still lives,” the Mancos Cattlemen's Association will host their annual Ranch Rodeo on Sunday, July 28. The rodeo is a part of the 66th annual Mancos Days celebration.

This year’s event will be at 7445 Road 41, just south of Mancos. The rodeo begins at 10 a.m., and spectators should bring their own seating.

Ranch rodeo events are meant to reflect the daily activities on a working cattle ranch. Up to 12 teams of five people will compete in team sorting, stray gathering, calf branding and bell roping.

Frank Green will serve as announcer and auctioneer again this year. The Cattlemen’s Association is still seeking a judge for the event.

“It just gives the public eye a little bit more of an idea of how special ranching is to the ranchers and how important their horses are to them, and that it really truly is, is a way of life that people live for and strive to keep alive,” said Cayce Lockhart, one of the event’s organizers.

Winners will receive a buckle and a payout from community sponsorships for the event. The winning team will also compete in the Mountain State Ranch Rodeo Series and Finals on Sept. 20 and 21 in Montrose.

Rodeo fans have a chance to gamble in a Calcutta-style auction before the rodeo. Teams will be “auctioned” off to the highest bidder. The buyer of the winning team will receive the largest cut of the pooled money, with descending percentages allocated to the buyers of the other teams.

The ranch rodeo is made possible by community sponsors, who receive advertisement and thanks at the event.

“As far as the community support goes, it's huge. We get sponsorships from most businesses in the Mancos Valley, as well as several out of Cortez,” said Lockhart.