Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo preparing to welcome 2022 NFR Open

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Preparations are underway for the 81st annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

Organizers are getting ready for the inaugural National Finals Rodeo, which will be hosted at the Norris Penrose Event Center.

"We’re really honored that they chose us," said Dan Ferguson, the board president for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

The rodeo will go from a large regional rodeo to a national one and will be televised.

The PRCA was looking for a more central location to host the event this year and chose Colorado Springs. It means the top competitors from across North America will be in town and the prize money is more significant.

There are 13 circuits across North America and Canada, and each circuit sends its top two competitors.

"The purse has gone to a million dollars and our contestant's stock are coming from those circuits all over the United States, so it’s changed in a lot of ways but at the same time it will be the same high paced fast, fantastic rodeo that we’ve always seen," said Ferguson.

This year they're also adding another women's event with break-away roping.

Most tickets are sold out, but there are still some available for Wednesday and Thursday.

More information can be found here.