Last day of Ute Mountain rodeo starts with a parade

Montezuma-Cortez High School students twirl in time to the marching band during the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo parade Saturday on Cortez’s Main Street. Organizer Lynne Howarth said the parade has gotten smaller over the years, but “We’re trying to resurrect it.” About 20 floats participated this year.

Miniature horses march with their bigger cousins in the Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo parade. Most of the horses wore pink ribbons or dyed manes to reflect the Saturday show’s theme, “Are You Tough Enough To Wear Pink?” The rodeo partners with Wrangler every year to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Miss Ute Mountain Ute Tehya Ketchum throws candy to onlookers at the rodeo parade.

Ute Mountain Roundup Rodeo Queen Tegan Duncan waves to the crowd during the rodeo parade. She and members of the rodeo committee ended the parade by telling everyone to come to the three-day event’s finale on Saturday night.