With the 97th Rooftop Rodeo rapidly approaching (July 5-10, 2025) it is time to bring to the attention of everyone that five pieces of silver are missing! Yes, in 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010, the Estes Park Rooftop Rodeo Committee was selected by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) as the Best Small Rodeo Committee of the Year. In each of those years, the PRCA presented the Town and the rodeo committee with a one-of-a-kind trophy buckle signifying that the Rooftop committee produced the best small rodeo in America. Each year the number was different but there are between 650 to 750 PRCA sanctioned rodeos each year. Approximately three quarters are classified as small rodeos. So, to be selected as the best committee is truly an extraordinary achievement. To make it even more special, it is the competitors themselves that vote on who the winner should be. To the Town and to all the volunteer committee members these buckles are treasures in every sense of the word.
The last time I can determine that anyone saw the buckles was late 2014 when Fairgrounds staff began packing records, furniture, and everything that was going to be moved the current events center. The Fairgrounds and Events Manager at the time remembered the buckles being placed in a box along with their individual display boxes. His recollection was that they were to go to Town Hall for public display. They did not make the trip. Are they in a closet, attic, or room that has not been searched?…