Rocky Mountain BBQ Classic set
The Rocky Mountain BBQ Classic — a KCBS‑sanctioned Colorado state championship — is scheduled for May 8–9 with over $50,000 in prize money on the line, positioning it as one of the bigger regional comps this season. Competitors and teams are already eyeing the purse and qualification points (kool1079.com).
The Rocky Mountain BBQ Classic will be staged at the Mesa County Fairgrounds, 2785 US‑50, Grand Junction, CO 81503. (mesacounty.us) Organizers say the Master BBQ Competition pays a $10,000 cash prize to the Grand Champion. (rmbbqclassic.com) The Grand Champion will also earn an invitation to compete on major national barbecue stages, according to the event’s competition page. (rmbbqclassic.com) The festival lineup includes professional bull riding from the Challenge of Champions tour and nightly live country music alongside the barbecue competitions. (mesacounty.us) VIP ticket packages advertised by organizers include meet‑and‑greet access with celebrity pitmasters, live‑fire cooking experiences, and all‑inclusive catering options. (prweb.com) Promotional materials and press releases describe the weekend as the inaugural Rocky Mountain BBQ Classic, billed as bringing professional competition barbecue back to the Western Slope. (prweb.com) The event’s organizers noted Grand Junction has not hosted a professional competition barbecue of this scale since the Pork ‘n’ Hops festival, which last ran in September 2019. (thebusinesstimes.com) Celebrity pitmasters listed on the event site include Lee Ann Whippen, Mary Cressler, Kevin Bludso, Stan Hays, Thyron Matthews, Andy Allo, Rasheed Philips, and Brian Duffy. (rmbbqclassic.com)
