Preserving heritage and tradition through partnership
Agriculture, ranching and rodeo (early rodeo arenas included things such as automobiles placed in a circle) have long been a way of life in Archuleta County, and the community respects those who choose to continue it. For example, the annual 4-H chuck wagon dinner and livestock auction are two of the most heavily attended events annually at the Archuleta County Fair.
And that way of life is not going away.
Over the years, the nonprofit Western Heritage Event Center Inc. (WHEC), funders and Archuleta County have worked to establish and improve venues for education and training for youth, as well as equestrian events. WHEC also puts on the annual Red Ryder® Roundup Rodeo, which dates back to 1948.
WHEC, which is dedicated to preserving the history and traditions of the American West, formed in 1949 as Pagosa Springs Enterprises. Over the decades, the WHEC (it was renamed in the 1990s when it became a nonprofit) has obtained land; built the existing rodeo grounds and a 4-H/western heritage building; and donated land and buildings to Archuleta County.
In recent years, WHEC’s dedication has in the form of working with Archuleta County and funders on the Hughes Pavilion covered arena, with the partnership showcasing the county’s past, present and future.
Initial plans for the construction of a covered arena were first discussed by WHEC, the Charles Hughes Foundation and the Archuleta County commissioners in 2014, with the commissioners committing $150,000 in matching funds for the project. Construction began in 2017, and the pavilion took on it’s official name, the Hughes Pavilion, in 2018.
Donna “Dusty” Hughes formed the Charles Hughes Foundation after the passing of her husband, Charles “Charley” Hughes, to support education and youth in Archuleta County through partnerships with and grants to the local school district. Later, the governing board opted to partner with WHEC to grant the remaining funds to the construction of a covered arena at the rodeo grounds — a move that honors the intention and legacy of Charley and Dusty.
The Hughes family’s history in the area dates back to the late 1800s and includes the Banded Peaks Ranch, located in southern Archuleta County.
In 2021, the pavilion was used during the county fair for the first time.
But that isn’t where the effort stopped. The facility has continued to see additions and upgrades funded through the Hott Fund, named after R.D. Hott, a lifelong resident of Archuleta County. Both sides of Hott’s family were early European immigrants to Archuleta County, and Hott was raised on the Mill Creek Ranch, riding his horse to town on Mondays for a week of schooling, then riding back to help on the ranch on the weekends.
Hott, who passed away in 2018 at age 86, decided years before his death that his estate would be dedicated to the preservation of western heritage.
In 2022, ownership of the pavilion was transfered to Archuleta County, with the county, WHEC and the Hott Fund also entering into a joint use and development agreement for the cooperative development and use of the rodeo grounds.
In 2023, the entities held a ribbon cutting during the Archuleta County Fair to celebrate the pavilion and partnerships.
“The Hughes Pavilion is a huge asset to the community and keeping with our western heritage,” states Robin Young, the Archuleta County director for Colorado State University Extension. “We are so grateful to all who have contributed to make it possible.”