National Western Stock Show begins Saturday marking 120 years

National Western Stock Show Celebrates 120th Anniversary

DENVER — The National Western Stock Show starts on Saturday, celebrating its 120th anniversary.

Wes Allison, president and CEO, welcomed Denver7 into The Legacy, one of the organization’s newest buildings. This building replaces the original stockyards.

“Legacy is a great word, because that’s the name of our new world headquarters. And the cool thing is, is that we are on the historic grounds of union stockyards,” Allison said. “So where it all began for us, right here on these grounds, and being able to, you know, just present a history, a legacy, of who we are as a membership organization.”

The building features multiple saloons and art galleries. These showcase keepsakes and mementos that tell the show’s history.

“We’re going to have lots of things throughout the year where you can learn about the history — the history of farming and ranching — or you can learn and see brand new artworks here in the space,” Allison said. “It is truly a unique, iconic Colorado space that gives you a mountain lodge feel with a little bit of Western in it that is right here in the heart of Denver.”

Allison calls Saturday’s kickoff the “greatest 16 days in January.”

“Our new tagline this year is, ‘We are the West,’” he said. “I think you can come here and explore all of our campus and really enjoy how the West fits for you and what that means to you.”