Michael Hancock gives the National Western Stock Show another ride

Michael Hancock.

Five weeks ago, Mayor Michael Hancock gave NWSS officials until October 1 to come up with an explanation of why they want to move out of town -- but now they get another ride.

Here's the announcement that the mayor's office sent out on Friday, announcing the open-ended extension for the NWSS response:

DENVER -- On August 29, 2011, Mayor Michael B. Hancock sent a 4-page letter to National Western Stock Show (NWSS) leadership requesting more substantive information on its current and future needs. The letter established October 1st as a deadline date for providing that information.

Stock Show leadership has requested additional time to provide better and more substantive information to the Mayor. Given the Stock Show's good faith efforts and progress in responding, the Mayor agreed to grant the additional time.

"I am willing to give the Stock Show leadership the time they need to deliver the best and most substantive information available about their business, facilities and financing plans," said Mayor Hancock. "While we are eager to reach a decision on this matter, we think it's more important to establish a thorough process that ensures we arrive at the right decision. Providing them more time helps us do that."

Mayor Hancock and Stock Show leadership have agreed not to place an artificial deadline on the production of the Stock Show's response. Mayor Hancock will continue to monitor the situation closely as the Stock Show continues to move forward in responding to his request.

"We are at a very critical point in the growth and future development of this great Denver asset," said Paul Andrews, NWSS President and CEO. "We value the long and close relationship the Stock Show has with the City of Denver, and we are determined to provide the Mayor with the best information we can so he has what he needs to make a decision that's best for Denver and all involved."

Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 National Western Stock Show -- the 106th annual show in Denver. The mayor's task force on the Stock Show continues to meet; Hancock has already gone on record that Stock Show must go on in Denver. And then, of course, the state committee looking into the eight bids for regional tourism funding, including a joint request from Denver and Aurora involving the Stock Show relocation, have until March 1 to decide which projects will get the nod -- and which will be hog-tied.

So fasten your seat belts...and stirrups. This is going to be a bumpy ride.

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