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National Western Stock Show and CoBank Announce Major Philanthropic Gift to Support Development of the National Western Center | CoBank - CoBank Site
National Western Stock Show and CoBank Announce Major Philanthropic Gift to Support Development of the National Western Center
CoBank invests $5 million in naming rights partnership of two facilities in the new complex
DENVER (January 10, 2022) — The National Western Stock Show today announced that CoBank, one of the largest private providers of credit to the U.S. rural economy, has made a $5 million investment in the new National Western Center, securing naming rights to two facilities in the much-anticipated development which will serve as a global destination for agricultural heritage and innovation.
Left to right: left to right: Paul Andrews, Tom Halverson, Pete Coors, Doug Jones. Photo Credit: Jensen Sutta.
In recognition for their generous support, two facilities will be named within the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center: the CoBank Livestock Arena and the CoBank Livestock Auction Arena. The 146,000 square-foot CoBank Livestock Arena will be the centerpiece of the new Livestock Center. With seating for up to 5,000, the space will be one of the most vital and heavily trafficked locations on the National Western Center campus during the National Western Stock Show and throughout the year.
The CoBank Livestock Auction Arena will showcase one of the Stock Show’s most prestigious and iconic events: The Junior Livestock Auction. The 10,000 square-foot facility will seat 700.
When not in use for the Stock Show, the CoBank arenas will host a variety of special events including concerts, high school athletic competitions, educational programs and consumer trade shows, making them highly visible, year-round destinations. Construction on the Livestock Center is expected to begin in June 2022 with completion expected in January 2025.
“CoBank’s gift represents a huge leap forward in making the National Western Center vision a reality,” said Pete Coors, chairman of the Molson Coors Beverage Company, as well as chairman of the $100 million Honoring the Legacy campaign.
“As a proud member of the Farm Credit System and a leading provider of financial services to rural America, CoBank is committed to the future of agriculture and the other vital rural industries we serve,” said CoBank President and Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Halverson. “The CoBank and Farm Credit missions align directly with the vision for the new National Western Center, which will become a world-class hub for agriculture, education and innovation. We are delighted to be a part of this effort, which will introduce the vitality and possibilities of agriculture to new audiences and new generations.”
Left to right: Doug Jones, Paul Andrews, Tom Halverson, Pete Coors. Front: “Delilah”. Photo Credit: Jensen Sutta.
The new National Western Center has been called one of the nation’s most ambitious urban renewal projects. The center will not only provide a home to the historic National Western Stock Show, but also will expand and enhance this regional asset. Envisioned by the City and County of Denver, together with Colorado State University and local business leaders, the center will offer a unique opportunity to connect the rural and urban economies, and become an epicenter of innovative agribusiness. State-of-the-art spaces will play host to concerts and festivals, farmers’ markets, sporting events, trade shows and conventions, as well as office space, business incubators, classes, public art, cultural events, family activities, shops and more.
About the Honoring the Legacy Campaign
The Honoring the Legacy campaign focuses on the creation of four core facilities that will anchor the new National Western Center for the century to come: The Legacy Building, the Yards, the Livestock Center and the Equestrian Center. The expansion and development of these new facilities will greatly enhance the visitor experience, provide the capacity to host a wider array of events throughout the year, and support increased attendance at other National Western Center facilities, both existing and future. The $100 million Honoring the Legacy campaign will provide support for many of the buildings and outdoor spaces needed to help this landmark of the West reach its full potential. For more information, visit honoringthelegacycampaign.com.
About the National Western Center
The new National Western Center represents a visionary transformation of the National Western Complex into a year-round destination that will not only provide a home to the incomparable National Western Stock Show for the next 100 years, but also will expand and enhance this regional asset into a world-class hub for agriculture, education and innovation. For more information, visit www.NationalWesternCenter.com.
About CoBank
CoBank is a $155 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 75,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.
CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and maintains an international representative office in Singapore.
