PBR returns to Southern Colorado

PUEBLO, Colo. – It has been two years since the Professional Bull Riders have made a stop in Southern Colorado and almost a decade since they bucked bulls at the World Arena, but on May 2-4, 2014, the elite Built Ford Tough Series will be back. 

The celebration of the return of the PBR begins tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. during the grand opening of the newest Bass Pro Shops store in Colorado Springs. 2009 PBR World Champion Kody Lostroh, a Colorado native, will make an appearance to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. 

This will mark the sixth year that the PBR has stopped in Colorado Springs, previously showcasing the best bull riders in the world from 2001-2005. In 2003, the World Arena was the site of the famous $1 million ride where two-time PBR World Champion Chris Shivers had a chance to earn the largest payout in PBR history for one 8-second ride in a matchup against Little Yellow Jacket. Unfortunately, the three-time World Champion Bull got the best of him and there has not been such a large bounty on a bull ever since. 

During the three-night event, fans will experience more than two hours of non-stop action filled with exhilarating 8-second rides, wrecks and jaw-dropping performances as the PBR’s courageous cowboys risk it all against their 2,000-pound counterparts. 

The competition will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 6:50 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, and 1:50 p.m. on Sunday, May 4. Tickets start at $15 and go on sale Jan. 17, 2014 at the World Arena box office, www.Ticketmaster.com, and by telephone at (800) 745-3000. For more information visit www.pbr.com. 

Colorado Springs will be the 17th stop of 27 on the 2014 PBR Built Ford Tough Series schedule. The season kicks off Jan. 3-5 at the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” Madison Square Garden in New York. The season will conclude at the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas on Oct. 22-26, when the 2014 PBR World Champion, the bull rider who amasses the most points during the 2014 season, will receive the coveted World Championship belt buckle and a $1 million bonus. 

The BFTS is televised every week on CBS, CBS Sports Network and networks around the world. BFTS telecasts are produced for the PBR under a multi-year agreement with David Neal Productions, a Los Angeles-based production company led by 34-time Emmy® Award winner and Peabody Award winner David Neal, who serves as executive producer.