How many parties have you attended where you were greeted by a pair of very polite, very gorgeous and well-accessorized Rodeo princesses? There could only be one event in Denver like that and it’s the jewel in the crown (or should I say bolo around the neck) of the National Western Stock Show: the Citizen of the West dinner. Who got the public adulation this year? None other than Colorado’s most secretive billionaire, Mr. Philip Anschutz. (In the spirit of full disclosure, Style Matters once had a show on one of Mr. Anschutz’s radio stations.)

Julianna Dixon was so flattered that Style Matters wanted to take her photo. She is 24 weeks pregnant and covinced that nothing fits right. Dixon borrowed this coat from her mother. In fact, she confessed that everything she was wearing, including the wonderful turquoise jewelry, was from her mother!

The Citizen of the West dinner honors well-known philanthropists and serves as a fundraiser for the National Western Scholarship Trust and its 80 annual scholarships for students studying agriculture, rural medicine and veterinary science in Colorado and Wyoming. As honoree, Anschutz was presented with a custom Stetson hat and Citizen of the West branding iron. He follows in the boot steps of other such distinguished honorees including beer tycoon Peter Coors, wildcatter Frederick Hamilton, former U.S. Sen. Hank Brown, and a host of other legendary do-gooders with a western flair.

Larry Mizel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of M.D.C. Holdings, evidently interpreted the dinner invitation specifying “dress western” in his own way. While many male guests selected leather sports jackets, he donned a leather motorcycle jacket decorated with beads and embroidery.

Well known for his keen business acumen and strict policy of no photos and no interviews, Mr. Anschutz appeared to let down his guard a bit. In fact he seemed to be having a ball. The patriarch of the Anschutz family was surrounded by his lovely wife Nancy and a brood of very well behaved children and grandchildren. I know they were well behaved because not one complained about having to march into the dining room behind a bunch of flag-waving young people while several hundred adults stared at them.

Vicky Godbey shares the story of her custom made boots, with Style Matters. Forty years ago she was at a party where she was approached by the president of Justin Boots. He must have taken a shine to Miss Vicky because he asked for a piece of paper to sketch her feet. Weeks later a new pair of boots arrived at her door, and she’s been wearing them ever since.

This was a crowd that really knew how to dress. The trends for the evening were coats, both long and short, long skirts, many trimmed with fringe and, sigh, fur. Oh, to quote Her of Fur, Joan Rivers, “get over it.” Besides it’s cold outside, campers.

Till next year, Happy Trails to you. Or should I say Happy Sales.

Judie Schwartz, AKA Style Matters, is the co-author of two best-selling books on the best places to shop in Colorado. Called “A Fashion-Lover’s Guide to the Best Shopping in Denver and Beyond,” the books are available at stylematters.us. Schwartz is also a wardrobe consultant. She has one husband, three children, no pets and small closets. She can be reached at judiezs123@gmail.com.

See the full photo coverage in the Jan. 23, 2015 print edition