Steel City Supershow

Lowrider Show Returns to CSF Events Center

Stories and photos By ROBERTO CORDOVA

For over a decade, the lowrider scene at the Colorado State Fair Events Center has not hosted a supershow until Event Creator A.J. Vigil and Adam his father, made their dreams become a reality.

On Saturday September 27, 2025, the Steel City Supershow was held at the Southwest Motors Event Center. On Friday, all participants set up their Ranfla’s, Vicla’s, y Bicicleta’s for Saturday’s Show. The entertainment on Saturday was Southern California Rapper Dezzy Hollow and a Meet and Greet with Lowrider model and truck builder Georjah Erin. 

The term lowrider originated in Mexican American communities in California after World War II. Evolving post-war car modifications into a distinct style of “low and slow” cruising and a powerful symbol of cultural pride and artistry. By the 1950’s, these customized cars faced societal prejudice and legal bans, but the lowrider clubs and the culture’s spread have allowed them to endure and become a global phenomenon. 

In the late 1970’s, the lowrider scene hit Pueblo. There were many stories who created the first lowrider in Pueblo. According to hermano Carl Trujillo, in 1979, the very first lowrider in Pueblo he saw, was a 1964 Black Impala Super Sport cruising down Northern Avenue owned by Tony Coca.

Growing up, the names that come to mind were Coca, Charles Gonzales, George Montoya, Jerry Sais, Russ Sandoval, Macario Torrez, Carl Trujillo, Mike Trujillo, and so many others leading the way. The lowrider clubs created from the beginning included “Luv N Low,” “Eastside Lowride, and “Los Latinos.” With the newly prideful rolling art, also came racist haters in our communities. In the 1980’s there was a series of lowrider bombings in Pueblo. They were targeting custom cars built by Chicanos to show their pride and creation of this new phenomenon. Because of the racial tensions around the country and our city, individuals were placing bombs on lowriders making them almost unrepairable. The lowrider community did not stand for this and continued this legacy today in the Steel City con puro pride.

The Steel City Event Organizer A.J. Vigil was born and raised in Bessemer and the Blocks neighborhoods. He grew up enjoying custom lowrider bikes, cars, and lowriders cars. A.J. grew up admiring his father Adam and the love he had for lowriding. According to A.J., Lowriders have a rich history created in the Chicano culture in the Steel City. A.J. and Adam had this idea to bring a Supershow to the Colorado State Fair Events Center for years but never pursued the dream. Last year, Adam was one of the judges for the California Fishtailz Magazine Supershow at the Pueblo Convention Center. Mike Mendoza de Fishtailz Magazine was eager to be a part of the Isaiah Vialpando Memorial Vicla Run after hearing about the tragic story and how the family affords educational scholarships. He and this writer agreed to hold the first custom supershow in Pueblo. After Adam participated in the event, he and his son said they could create a supershow. Months passed and Adam did not think they were going to host a show this year ’till A.J. called his father Adam and asks him to come to the Event Center at the Colorado State Fair to sign the contract for the show, and the rest in history. They both know this has been a learning experience but were honored to host this event.

On Friday, participants gathered to display their custom cars, motorcycles, and lowrider bicycles. Interviews were conducted with multiple attendees at the event. I spoke with John Montez de Pueblo about his 1934 Custom Bomba. He put years of work into this masterpiece but does not consider it a show car because he drives in on the streets. He is showing his Bomba to show support to our Pueblo Community.

Robert Espinoza de Pueblo is presenting a selection of highly customized viclas. Beto is originally from Alamosa but calls Pueblo his home for the last 25 years. Beto, as he is known, is one of the most influential lowrider godfathers in the game. He has won so many trophies they fill an entire garage. He has been recognized throughout the lowrider community worldwide. He has organized lowrider shows all over the country in the 1990’s and 2000’s. Beto was the first camarada who brought the Lowrider Magazine Supershow back in 2009 to the Colorado State Fair grounds. He organized this event in Pueblo for multiple years before eventually transferring it to the Colorado Springs Broadmoor World Arena. Beto has focused more on viclas and custom motorcycles. His latest event creation is the First Annual Colorado Bike Week at the Pikes Peak International Raceway (PPIR). This will be a four-day event October 1^st through October 4^th of 2026.

Glen Saiz de Pueblo’s Eastside brought out his extreme full custom 1964 Impala. He began building his lowrider in 1996. In 2002, his first show was at the Denver Lowrider Supershow where he took Best in Show. That same year, he showed at the Las Vegas Supershow where he took second place in th Traditional category. Glen comes from a long history of lowriding where his brothers all had lowriders. 

Bobby Red Cordova de Pueblo is showing lowrider Bombas y lowrider bikes. Growing up in Trinidad, he has always been a lowrider builder. Bobby has owned well over twenty lowriders. His son Jesus grew up in the lowrider scene and began building lowrider bikes to cars. They are excited the Supershow has returned to the Colorado State Fair. The Cordova Familia are displaying multiple lowriders and bikes.

Anthony Trujillo de Pueblo’s East Side is showing his “38 Special” Bomba Custom Panel and his 1963 Impala Convertible. Anthony’s father is one the Pueblo lowrider godfathers Mike Trujillo de East Side Customs. Mike was one of the original lowriders in Pueblo. Anthony has continued his father’s legacy. Anthony has built several exceptional firme lowriders. Anthony’s 1938 panel began building this lowrider since 2000. It has received multiple awards, including best show. He recently built his 1963 lowrider convertible named “Puro Plata.”

Angelo Romero de Rollerz Only Pueblo Chapter Car Club (CC) showed his Tri Five Chevy Custom Lowriders. This is a collector’s envy that most only have one of the 1955, 1956, and 1957 Bel Air. To boot, Angelo owns all three and they are convertibles. Angelo is unsure of the exact number of trophies he has received; however, he remains both humble and appreciative of these accomplishments. 

Angel Soto de Rollerz Only Pueblo Chapter CC is showing his 1963 impala convertible. He has been a member of Rollerz Only CC for over a decade. He spent years building this masterpiece, equipped with an LS1 engine for powerful performance. This Impala includes upgrades like digital gauges, power windows, a stereo, and other features. He has received awards at many events, including the Las Vegas Lowrider Supershow.

Molly Herrera de Rollerz Only Pueblo Chapter CC grew up in Alamosa and has always been a lowrider girl. She was influenced by family members who love lowriding. Living in Pueblo for years, she built a 1960 Impala convertible. Molly loved the way this car sits low and saw it in a Tu Pac Rap Video that sealed the deal to build this impala. She stated the car is estimated to be worth $125 thousand dollars.

Chuck Gonzales de Rollerz Only Pueblo Chapter CC is showing his 1949 Custom Chevy named “Por Mi Padre.” Chuck explained this masterpiece used to be his late father, Charles’ bomba. He and his father encountered challenges with the car but chose to honor his father by adding a reference on the front window visor.

Joe Valdez de Infamous Pueblo CC is showing his 1966 impala hardtop. This build was with his Infamous CC member Alex Chavez. Alex is self-taught custom painter who learned by watching YouTube videos. He has completed multiple custom paint jobs. They are both proud the lowrider show is back at the Colorado State Fair. Joe remembers when Roberto Cordova’s custom jaguar his lowrider were displayed side by side in 2009. Joe says it’s back and hopes it becomes an annual event.

Chris Pizzo de Good Times Colorado Springs CC is showing his extreme full custom El Camino Truck. This creation took years to develop. Chris showed this at last year’s Lowrider Supershow taking third place in the Truck of the Year category. Chris grew up in Colorado Springs cruising his Ferrari. Life changed when a friend invited him to a lowrider show and that was all it took to become a lowrider lover and start building lowriders. Even though he lives in Denver and runs a successful business, he remains a part of the Good Times CC in Colorado Springs.

Mike Madrid de Good Times Colorado Springs CC is showing his 1980 Monte Carlo. He is from the Pueblo Bessemer barrio and is proud he has created a custom lowrider. He has been lowriding since he was a chavalito. He has this in his sangre and would not change it for anything.

Jimmy Mora de Laramie Wyoming is showing his 1984 Monte Carlo. He traveled down to show respeto y amor to AJ and Adam Vigil. They have been friends for a long time. Jimmy said his son built this lowrider from the ground up. It was a nightmare build so many issues and problems to name the car, “Nightmare Monte.” Like Colorado, Wyoming has 7 to 8 months of snow season so when we build lowriders it is a shorter season than in warmer states like California.

The Steel City Supershow was overdue. The last Lowrider Supershow was back in 2012 hosted by hermano Beto Espinoza. It was a successful event and missed by the lowrider community. A.J. Vigil, the event promoter explained this was not a sanction Lowrider Magazine Supershow. However, it is a show put on by Pueblo gente for lowriders and custom cars to showcase their masterpieces. There were around a hundred awards handed out. Pueblo’s Brian Dutton took Best in Show for his 1964 Impala. Pueblo’s Anthony Trujillo took Best in Show for his 1938 Chevy Panel. Pueblo’s Beto Espinoza took Best in Show for his “La Sicaria” custom vicla. Talking with several Gente who displayed their firme rides, their shared feeling was to support the Pueblo community. The event participants came as far as Nuevo Mexico and Wyoming. The show overall appeared to be successful and another event to bring the community together. Que Viva La Raza.