Over the years, the prestigious Denver Rustlers have raised more than $3 million for student exhibitors at the Colorado State Fair Junior Livestock Sale, an event that supports Colorado's young farmers and ranchers as they showcase their livestock to earn money for college.

The Denver Rustlers began 39 years ago during an economic downturn, when a lack of bidding threatened to shut down the Junior Livestock Sale at the State Fair. At the urging of the late Representative Tom Farley, Tim Schultz (then Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture) approached Dick and Eddie Robinson, as well as Larry A. Mizel, asking them to step-in and make sure the hardworking 4-H and FFA youths could continue to participate and raise money for their future education. The three rallied their friends and colleagues to invest in these kids' by supporting their livestock sale.

After two decades of courageous leadership, in 2016 Pueblo native Frances Koncilja passed the reins of the Denver Rustlers to Josh Hanfling. Hanfling brings almost three decades of experience in business and philanthropy to this role and continues Koncilja’s great work on behalf of the Rustlers. Hanfling works alongside Laura Teal, Chief of Staff to Larry A. Mizel, to plan and execute the Denver Rustlers in a manner honoring the work of the many great Coloradoan philanthropists who continue to support 4-H and Future Farmers of America.

As was the custom when this event began 4 decades ago, support of  this event is almost completely donated by Denver Rustlers as well as other notable organizations and foundations, including: JLL, Ironwoman Construction, Shanahans, MDC, Noble Energy, and Alpine Bank) allowing nearly all money raised to go directly to our young participants.

New members of the Rustlers receive the trademark limited edition Rockmount Ranch Wear shirt, courtesy of MDC Holdings/Richmond American Homes Foundation, as well as a cowboy hat.

Through the Denver Rustlers’ vision and hard work, the Junior Livestock Sale is thriving. As mentioned above, to date our members have raised over $3 million. We look forward to sharing this tradition with new members, if you have any inquiries please reach out directly to Mariah@sewaldhanfling.com .

The Denver Rustlers continue to be the largest buying group at the Colorado State Fair.

Tim Schultz and Katie Kramer (Boettcher Foundation) keep track of the bidding and the different buying groups. The Grand Champion and the Reserve Grand Champions will easily sell for tens of thousands of dollars. The Rustlers use most of their pooled funds to make sure the other young exhibitors get a fair price for their animals, staying until each and every animal is sold.

Made up of Colorado’s most prominent business leaders and elected officials (from both parties) – the annual trek of the Rustlers has become the can’t-miss-event of the summer.

The Denver Rustlers, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) with no paid staff, operating entirely on volunteer work.