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Cowboy Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Pen Rider

Lamar, CO · On-site

Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Pen Rider

Lamar, CO

Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding

Pen Rider

Wellington, CO · On-site

Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Pen Rider

Yuma, CO · On-site

Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding

Pen Rider

Lamar, CO · On-site

Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ...

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding

Pen Rider

Yuma, CO · On-site

Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable) FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ...

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Cowboy information

See Colorado salary details

$15

$21

$30

How much do cowboy jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for cowboy in Colorado is $21.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.22 and $21.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What kind of jobs do cowboys do?

Cowboys work primarily in ranching and livestock management, performing tasks such as herding cattle, branding, roping, and maintaining fences. They often operate horseback and use tools like lariats and cattle prods, working outdoors in rural environments often requiring physical stamina and riding skills.

What does a cowboy do?

A typical day for a Cowboy often begins early and involves a variety of physically demanding tasks such as herding cattle, repairing fences, checking water supplies, and maintaining equipment. Depending on the season, you might participate in branding, sorting, or transporting livestock, as well as monitoring animal health and wellbeing. Much of the work is outdoors in all weather conditions, and collaboration with other ranch hands is common when managing large herds or tackling major projects. While days can be long, the role offers a direct connection to the land and animals, and opportunities for advancement into ranch management for those with strong leadership abilities.

Can you still get a job as a cowboy?

Yes, there are still employment opportunities for cowboys, especially in ranching, cattle herding, and rodeo industries. These jobs often require skills in animal handling, horseback riding, and knowledge of livestock management, with some positions requiring certifications or experience. Opportunities may vary based on location and industry demand.

What skills and qualifications does a cowboy need?

To thrive as a Cowboy, you need proficiency in horsemanship, cattle handling, roping, and basic animal husbandry, often gained through hands-on ranch experience or vocational training. Familiarity with ranch equipment such as saddles, branding tools, and sometimes ATVs or GPS for managing large herds is typical, while formal certifications may be required for aspects like livestock transport or safety. Strong work ethic, resilience, teamwork, and clear communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with ranch staff and adapting to changing conditions. These abilities ensure that livestock operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently in a demanding work environment.

What jobs did cowboys have?

Cowboys primarily worked as cattle herders, responsible for driving and managing cattle across long distances. Their duties included roping, branding, and caring for livestock, often requiring skills in riding, horsemanship, and the use of tools like lassos and branding irons. They typically worked outdoors in rural environments and followed a seasonal schedule based on cattle drives and ranch operations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Cowboy jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Cowboy jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Cowboy jobs in Colorado? For Cowboy jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Cowboy jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Cowboy jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Cowboy jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Cowboy job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Cowboy jobs in CO? For Cowboy jobs in CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Cowboy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cowboy job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $44,601 per year, or $21.4 per hour.

Pen Rider

Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC

Lamar, CO • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

JOB TITLE: Pen Rider
REPORTS TO: Cattle Manager and/or Head Cowboy (where applicable)
FLSA STATUS: Hourly, Ag Exempt
FUNCTION: Monitoring and movement of livestock in Feedlot by performing the following duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.
  • Utilizes a horse to ride through assigned pens daily and identify sick animals by observing outward signs of distress; segregates sick cattle for treatment by driving them to nearest hospital pen; calls deads in for removal.
  • Assists in the shipment of fat cattle by opening gates, driving cattle to shipping areas for weighing; counting cattle and separating strays; checking withdrawals.
  • Moves/drives cattle from one area of the yard to another by utilizing humane low-stress techniques including the slow movement of cattle.
  • Returns treated cattle to home pens from hospitals.
  • Returns stray animals to home pens.
  • Rides horse safely by awareness of surroundings and exercise of caution in dangerous situations.
  • Maintains appearance of break room by properly disposing of trash, wiping feet upon entering, and sweeping/mopping according to the posted schedule.
  • Maintains cleanliness of horse facilities by sweeping floors and cleaning stalls.
  • Reports observed pen maintenance issues to appropriate yard employee for repair (broken water tanks, bunks, holes, etc.).
  • Alerts supervisor to possible problem pens through observance of unusual trends (including concerns about feed, conditions of cattle received, etc).
  • Complies with all applicable safety rules and policies.

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Ability to ride a horse in a safe manner.
  • Ability to furnish gentle horse and tack.
  • Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to apply these functions using units and weights.
  • Knowledge of cattle breeds and characteristics.
  • Flexibility to work varied hours should shipping necessitate it.

COMPETENCY:
Expected to work efficiently with minimal supervision, adapt to changes in the work environment, have the ability to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events, exhibit sound, and accurate judgment prioritize and plan work activities, set goals and objectives, observe safety and security procedures, and report potentially unsafe conditions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to airborne particles and outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee is required to ride a horse daily and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds from a standing, stooping, or sitting position. Employees will be in confinement areas with cattle and horses and must be able to safely and swiftly climb or exit the area. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Walking, climbing, bending, stooping, reaching upward and downward, pinching, gripping, hearing, sitting, pushing/pulling, twisting.
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