Denver is a unique place.

We have beautiful scenery and mountains that draw every variety of skier and snowboarder and adventurer to it.

We have a relatively thriving metropolis. It’s not big by Manhattan-standards, but it holds its own. It’s growing and making a name for itself.

We have history and tradition. The Molly Brown House. The Brown Palace Hotel.

The Hotel – a very opulent place, beautiful, shiny, they serve a high-tea (and check out that chandelier) –  has one particular tradition that kicks in once a year during the Stock Show.

It involves a red carpet.

And a cow.

To toast the guest of honor.

To greet the guest of honor.

The guest of honor!

Yes, this fella, he goes by the name of Ricky Bobby. He’s the grand steer of the Stock Show.

The big bubba.

The maker of the big bucks. ($50,000 big bucks to be precise.)

He’s featured here with his pal, the runner-up, Black Betty.

They were both auctioned off at the Junior Livestock Champions auction, toward the end of the Stock Show (which wraps up today).

As per tradition, they hang out in the Brown Palace Hotel for a couple of hours, and visitors walk on up to be photographed with them.

They talk about the cows. Pet the cows.

And unfortunately…someone has to clean up after the cows.

Bet you don’t see a guy with a shovel and trash can full of…refuse, yep, that’s good…in a swanky hotel very often. But, somebody has to do it. So, round of applause for you buddy.

It’s a different sort of tradition, but a good one. One that embraces the very western history Denver has. And also makes a good case in point for why Denver is a cow town.

So, I have one more Stock Show post for you that will hit the blog tomorrow and will wrap up Stock Show Week. Yes, it’s one day late. Yes, this is right on “Anya schedule.” And the world continues to rotate along.

Hope you’re having a happy Sunday all!