HEELS of Cheyenne Frontier Days

The HEELS of Cheyenne Frontier Days were formed in 1935. During the Great Depression, it became evident that the economy was having an impact on Cheyenne Frontier Days. Someone decided they would not accept a salary for the duties they performed for the rodeo, but instead would perform their duties for free. It was said that those who refused to volunteer were nothing but a “bunch of heels.” Someone suggested HEELS as the name for the devoted CFD volunteers and the name stuck. The HEELS would become known as the “first true volunteers” of Cheyenne Frontier Days. Each year, a select few volunteers are honored by being elected to the HEELS organization. To date, over 500 Cheyenne Frontier Days volunteers have been elected to the HEELS.