Rodeo reaches out to military charities

Spencer Penrose was one of the prime contributors to prominent city landmarks such as The Broadmoor hotel, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and the Norris-Penrose Event Center.

While Penrose (1865-1939) might be remembered for those contributions, his legacy could be marked by how he connected the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo with local military charities after World War II.

"He had the vision that he wanted to dedicate all of the proceeds from the rodeo to our military," said Brian Binn, military affairs coordinator for the event.

The rodeo, run at the Event Center since 1949, has donated more than $1.5 million to programs such as the Fort Carson Outreach Program, the Peterson Air Force Outreach Center and the Air Force Academy's Operation Warm Heart.

Average annual donations have been about $21,700.

"I don't like to use that number because it's misleading," said Rob Alexander, president of the Colorado Springs Rodeo Foundation. "In 1953, let's say we gave $30,000. While that may not sound like a lot now, $30,000 was a lot of money back then.

"Some years, we give more money than we make. We dip into our savings and give so as to try to stretch to fulfill all their needs."

Alexander said the rodeo started before World War II but was halted because of the war. With Colorado Springs being home to multiple military bases and thousands of military personnel, the war left many to fend for themselves. That's when the rodeo stepped in to help.

Strong efforts by volunteers help sustain the rodeo. The committee for the rodeo is comprised entirely of volunteers. Binn estimates that 300 to 400 people will volunteer this year.

"With us donating to the charities, they return the favor," said Binn, who served in the Air Force. "Many of our volunteers are from the military. Some people may work one day, some may work the entire time we're here, but everybody pitches in."

One person who has done her fair share is Gina Kaiser.

The Colorado Springs native has served on the rodeo's marketing and advertising committee for three years, but her reasons are not military-related.

"As a little girl, I used to come to the Pikes Peak Rodeo every year," she said. "I always wanted to be a part of it, and now I'm just paying them back for all the fun I had as a kid."