RODEO NEWS

WPRA Announces 2025 Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year presented by Montana Silversmiths

By Ann Bleiker

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – The backbone of any rodeo is no doubt the rodeo committee and their countless volunteers that donate their time and skills to put on a good show for the fans. While the contestants and animals are the stars, they would never shine if it were not for the work of a large supporting cast of volunteers that come together, working for a common goal of making the event a success.

In 1948, the Girls Rodeo Association, now Women’s Professional Rodeo Association was Built For Women By Women by 38 strong female leaders in the western industry. In honor of them and in partnership with Montana Silversmiths, one female committee member/volunteer that has gone above and beyond in their local community to make the rodeo a success and/or who has been a staple of the local rodeo for numerous years keeping the tradition alive is being honored with the WPRA Outstanding Committee Woman of the Year for 2025.

This year’s recipient is Debbie Mills representing the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo in Castle Rock, Colorado.

“I am so flattered,” stated a surprised Mills. “This is so cool. I don’t do it for the recognition as I just want everyone to come have a good time and for it to be top notch for the contestants.”

Mills has been a member of the committee for the last 20 years, first as just a volunteer and now as an official committee member and Fair Board Director. It all started when her daughter Hannah tried out for Douglas County queen in 2006.

“My daughter won queen, and I had no idea what that was and we just got involved from that point,” recalled Mills. “I thought it was a great event and felt like there were things I could help with, so I started showing up.”

While Hannah decided to pursue other things after that stint, her other daughter Madelaine stayed involved in the queen industry and was crowned Miss Rodeo Colorado in 2016. Thanks to her daughters Debbie was hooked on the rodeo industry and besides the hours she spends working to make the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo the best it can be, she spends the majority of her January each year up the road in Denver for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo.

“Leon (Vick) asked me to get involved in hospitality where I volunteered for many years and now coordinate the kickoff parade and do a little of everything behind the scenes at the ProRodeo,” noted Mills, who has been with the NWSS for 20 years as well. “I fell in love with the rodeo side, and it calls me back every year.”

In December, she can be found in Las Vegas serving as a chaperone for the Miss Rodeo America organization and handles the contestant hospitality for the PRCA nightly at the National Finals Rodeo.

“I really enjoy working the NFR,” stated Mills who has done it for the last five years. “I get to welcome NFR contestants and their families and of course order more cookies when they are running low. It is a huge honor to be part of that and thankful they keep asking me back.”

As noted in her nomination packet to have Debbie Mills on your side you are a winner. Mills has brought special programming to the rodeo such as the PRCA Rodeo Camp and Exceptional Rodeo. She is the chairperson of the Marketing Committee and secures sponsors for all aspects of the Fair & Rodeo. She is also the chairperson for the Royalty program and helps coordinate the Mutton Bustin.

The WPRA received over 35 nominations for this award and was excited to have received so many great stories of the many outstanding women out there. As an Association, we are excited to continue to grow this program and recognize an outstanding committee woman on an annual basis.

Debbie Mills will be officially recognized during the WPRA Star Celebration with the Top 15 barrel racers on Thursday, December 4 at the South Point Hotel and Casino and will receive a custom-made Montana Silversmiths buckle.

Past recipients:

2022 – Cindy Williams, Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, Vernal, Utah

2023 – Tammie Hiatt, Jim Shoulder Living Legends Rodeo, Henryetta, Oklahoma

2024 – Rachel Ann Holzschuh, Mid-Western Rodeo in Manawa, Wisconsin.

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