The promoting effect of rhodium on the structure and activity of the supported Cu-Co based catalysts for CO hydrogenation was investigated in detail. The samples were characterized by DRIFTS, $N_2$-adsorption, XRD, $H_2$-TPR, $H_2$-TPD and XPS. The results indicated that the introduction of rhodium to Cu-Co catalysts resulted in modification of metal dispersion, reducibility and crystal structure. DRIFTS results of CO hydrogenation at reaction condition (P=2 MPa, $T=260^{circ}C$) indicated the addition of 1 wt % rhodium improved hydrogenation ability of Cu-Co catalysts. The ethanol selectivity and CO conversion were both improved by 1 wt % Rh promoted Cu-Co based catalysts. The alcohol distribution over un-promoted and rhodium promoted Cu-Co based catalysts obeys A-S-F rule and higher chain growth probability was got on rhodium promoted catalyst.