Losses Expected For Greeley Stampede

Despite a successful Keith Urban show and concerts by Buckcherry and Craig Morgan, the Greeley Stampede in Colorado is hemorrhaging money and faces an uncertain future.

The 10-day Pro Rodeo event was held this year in Greeley June 25 to July 4. Preliminary numbers are yet to be reported, but despite a newly instituted $5 entrance fee, the nonprofit event is expected to continue its downslide, Stampede executive director Bill Ogg told the Greeley Tribune.

The Stampede lost about $127,000 in 2009, $114,000 in 2008 and $105,000 in 2007. Those losses were covered by reserves.

Ticket sales this year seemed to increase, Ogg said. Urban’s concert drew 10,000 fans, and the July 1 rodeo was the best-attended in years, with 4,056 tickets sold for the 9,000-capacity arena, he told the Tribune.

“We always look for ways to cut expenses and keep costs down,” Ogg said. “The bottom line is, we don’t want to sacrifice the show. We look for contracts within contracts, where we may be able to cut costs, cut corners. You look at personnel costs, and can you do something where you may have three bull fighters, can you do it with two?”

This year’s event featured Morgan, Joe Nichols and David Nail June 25; Urban June 26; Cinderella with Warrant July 2; Buckcherry with Saving Abel July 3; and Gloriana with Stealing Angels July 4.

Ogg said the event has a lot of potential but it’s unclear how long it can go on.