At the far eastern end of Colfax Avenue, Deer Trail is a small plains town with an outsized Colorado story: railroad roots, ranching traditions, wide-open prairie and a famous claim as the Home of the World's First Rodeo.
Before Deer Trail was incorporated, this part of the Eastern Plains was cattle country. The town's best-known story reaches back to July 4, 1869, when ranch hands gathered for a Bronco Bustin' Contest — an event Deer Trail celebrates as the world's first rodeo. The town itself grew with the arrival of the Kansas Pacific Railway in 1870, becoming a shipping point for grain, livestock and eggs before being platted in 1875 and incorporated in 1920.
Accounts preserved in Deer Trail history tell of English-born rider Emilnie Gardenshire of the Mill Iron Ranch staying aboard an outlaw horse named Montana Blizzard for fifteen minutes. His prize was a new suit of clothes and the title “Champion Bronco Buster of the Plains.”
Railroad tracks reached the area in 1870. Deer Trail became an agricultural shipping point on Colorado's plains, connecting ranches and farms to larger markets and helping shape the community that followed.
For the rodeo centennial, the Colorado General Assembly adopted a joint resolution recognizing Deer Trail's July 4, 1869 event as the first rodeo held in the world. Other Western communities also make early-rodeo claims, making the story part of a larger debate about rodeo history.
Deer Trail works well as an Eastern Plains road-trip stop: start with local history, eat somewhere independent, then trade the interstate for old U.S. 40 and open prairie.
Start around the Deer Trail Pioneer Historical Museum and learn about the town's ranching, railroad and rodeo roots. Museum access is seasonal, so check before making a special trip.
Stop at Del Sol Express 2 for a locally rooted alternative to interstate chain food, or check the day's offerings at a local bakery.
Leave I-70 behind for a stretch and experience the older highway route through Colorado's open plains.
Finish with prairie views, wildlife watching and more than three miles of multi-use trails at Arapahoe County's Richmil Ranch Open Space.
A small local museum focused on Deer Trail's pioneer, railroad and rodeo story. Current tourism information lists seasonal Saturday afternoon hours in June and July; confirm before visiting.
Arapahoe County preserves 352 acres of Eastern Plains landscape just northwest of town. More than three miles of multi-use trails cross open meadows and rolling terrain for walking, horseback riding and wildlife watching.
Take the slower route and see Deer Trail in the context of the historic highway corridor that once brought travelers directly through town. The prairie landscape is part of the experience.
These currently operating Deer Trail businesses were selected from the research and checked against current business information.
A colorful roadside Mexican stop just off I-70 serving burritos, breakfast, horchata and other quick favorites.
A small-town bakery and caterer specializing in custom cakes, cookies, cheesecakes and made-from-scratch treats. Because hours are limited, call before making a special trip.
Deer Trail continues to celebrate its rodeo identity with an annual community rodeo tradition. The research traces today's celebration to the famous 1869 Bronco Bustin' Contest. Event dates can change from year to year, so MKT Colorado does not list an upcoming date until it is officially confirmed.
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