Stock show's reins will pass to Kroenke exec

The top executive at Stan Kroenke's Denver sports empire is resigning to take the reins of the National Western Stock Show, an annual showcase event for Colorado's agricultural industry. Paul Andrews will succeed Pat Grant as president and chief executive of the National Western effective Nov. 1, the organization announced Friday. Andrews will leave his post as executive vice president of Kroenke Sports Enterprises — owner of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Pepsi Center and other assets — on Oct 27. At National Western, Andrews will handle day-to-day operations and lead long-term planning for the 104-year-old event. In recent years, stock show officials have sought to move the event from its aging complex amid struggles with rising maintenance costs. They've said the existing site at Interstate 70 and Brighton Boulevard in northeast Denver is too constrictive. Andrews declined Friday to address whether there are still plans to move the event, which features rodeos, exhibits and vendors. In 2007, a year after attracting a record 730,000 visitors for its 100th anniversary, the National Western suffered its first financial loss in nearly two decades, losing $559,000. Since then, the event has posted gains of $184,000 in 2008, $63,000 in 2009 and $285,000 this year, according to a spokeswoman...more