Relocation Of Shock Show On Minds Of Many
DENVER (CBS4) - Saturday was the opening day of the National Western Stock Show in Denver. It comes after plans to move the stock show to Aurora officially came off the table last month.
For years the National Western has worried about outgrowing its 95-acre site near Interstate 70 and Brighton Boulevard.
Kace Ingvoldsen, 11, came from California to show and work with livestock.
"I just really love being here around the cattle, and I really want to be a cattle farmer when I grow up," Ingvoldsen said.
This year opening day brought the traditional excitement.
"I've been coming here since I was little," Brit McEndaffer from Littleton said.
And questions about the stock show's future.
"That was the first thing; where's it going to be, where are they going to build it?" Will Lager said.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2012 Stock Show Parade
Lager has followed the ongoing debate about relocating or expanding the stock show complex. He knows first-hand some the challenges inside the century-old buildings.
"More room would be better, water pressure's a big thing when you're washing, electric, you know, we've been blowing breakers and stuff," Lager said.
As for whether to move or not move, the stock show's CEO and president, Paul Andrews, wants one thing clear.
"It remains our intention to stay in the city and county of Denver," Andrews said.
The stock show had considered moving to a 300 acre site near Denver International Airport next to a planned entertainment hotel complex in Aurora. Plans recently came off the table when Denver pulled out of an application for a state tax subsidy. And Aurora's mayor said there was no more interest in luring the show.
"We're going to work with the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, which was the mayor's wish, and look at all the potential options that exist out there," Andrews said.
Andrews says options now include other land near DIA, around Dick's Sporting Goods Park, or possibly expanding the current location. There is no time line for when a decision might be made.
