THE NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW
Shortly after Keith retired the end of December 2011, he began a new “career” serving as the Archivist and Historian for the National Western Stock Show. He has been a volunteer at the National Western since the 1995 show.
Keith grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado and in Northeastern Utah. In his youth he worked in oil fields, mining, and ranching. After graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics he went to work for the USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service and then the Food Safety Inspection Service. He then moved to the USDT where he served as a Revenue Officer for many years ultimately retiring as a national Senior Appeals Program Analyst with the responsibility for several national Appeals program areas.
Keith is active in several Westerner groups in Colorado and Utah. He has been a member of the Denver Posse of Westerners since 1987. He is active in the protection of our western antiquity, having served on the boards of Colorado and Utah rock art groups. He skis and hikes whenever possible throughout the West.
Keith has written articles and spoken on many diverse topics including such areas as the Gilsonite Industry of the Uintah Basin, the Danites and the Mormon War of 1838, the last killing in a sheep and cattle war in Colorado in 1918, the tourist cable inclines of Colorado, and the Denver Union Stock Yards.
Keith will be speaking about the evolution of the National Western Stock Show buildings and grounds from 1906 to the present. Keith will cover how the National Western came to look like it did for its 100th anniversary and how it looks today.