Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Talk to anyone who has been around here for a long time and they'll tell you about the community dances that used to bring locals from all walks of life together to "boot scoot" the night away.

"They would bridge the generation gap," said Nancy Mucklow, a member of the Routt County CattleWomen.

The CattleWomen haven't forgotten about those dances and want to bring the tradition back. That's why they're hosting the Boot Scootin' Brandin' Ball on Saturday night at the Steamboat Springs Airport. The city of Steamboat Springs and the Community Agriculture Alliance also are sponsoring the dance.

The CattleWomen have traditionally held banquets to honor the Cattle Woman of the Year, the Rookie of the Year and the Friend of Beef Award, which goes to someone outside agriculture who supports ranching.

Starting last year, the members decided the awards also were a good excuse to throw a dance, invite the whole community and have some fun.

"This provides an opportunity for a social and cultural connection between the ag and non-ag community," said Ellen Stein, executive director of the Community Agricultural Alliance.

Along with the CattleWomen awards this year, the Yampa River Legacy Committee will give its Stewardship Award.

Plus, there is expected to be a branding at the dance. But ranchers won't be roping and wrestling calves while the branding fire burns. Instead, they will brand a door that will greet people walking into the Crawford Room in the new Centennial Hall.

Somewhere between 30 and 60 brands from active and historic ranches will be burned into the door to represent and celebrate Routt County's ranching roots, Mucklow said.

"We've extended invitations to centennial ranches and to some people with historic brands," Mucklow said.

The CattleWomen also will sell their brand napkins, which have brands from local ranches on them and there will be door prizes. All proceeds go to a scholarship fund.

The door branding will be between 7 and 8 p.m. After that, Greg Scott's Smokehouse Band will entertain until 9 p.m. Then the awards will be given while the band takes a break. Then Scott and his players will lead the foot-stomping into the evening.

"Just show up and have some fun," Mucklow said. "The music will be good."