The 120th iteration of the National Western Stock Show kicked off Saturday morning by debuting a mural paying tribute to the American West.
Unveiled in the second floor of the newly-opened Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center, the mural, created by local artist Thomas “Detour” Evans, depicts Colorado’s geography, heritage and agriculture through a mixture of spray and brushed-on paint.
“For generations, farmers and ranchers have been the stewards of our land from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope, not only supporting our way of life but delivering food to tables of the growing number of Front Range residents and people across the country,” Gov. Jared Polis said at the ceremony. “This rich legacy is what our state is built on. It’s central to who we are, and it’s central to who we will be.”
The mural, about 40 feet long, displays several Colorado-inspired natural and agricultural scenes, including potato farmers and cattle separated by the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, literally representing the state’s geography. Evans, the mural’s artist, said he jumped at the opportunity to create such a work…