What the Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo Is
The Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo is a nine-day fair at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds in Poncha Springs, running July 24 to August 1 in 2026. At its center is the Chaffee/Lake County 4-H program: youth exhibit livestock, horses, dogs and general projects, and the week ends with the Junior Market Livestock Auction. Mini Bronc rodeo events are held on July 25 and 26.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Exhibitors must be enrolled in the Chaffee/Lake County 4-H program. Enrollment closed January 8.
- Animals must be weighed in and ear-tagged or banded, with ownership documented for each species.
- Every exhibitor must pass a written project test with at least 70 percent. Livestock and horse knowledge tests were due June 25.
- To sell a meat animal, exhibitors must complete the Wholesome Meat Quality Assurance class and score at least 80 percent on the exam, and must take part in showmanship.
- Cloverbuds (ages 5 to 7) cannot enroll in or exhibit livestock projects.
Market Weight Requirements
| Species | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Hogs | 235 to 300 lbs |
| Steers / heifers / yaks | minimum 1,050 / 950 / 550 lbs |
| Lambs / goats | minimum 100 / 50 lbs |
| Meat rabbits | 4 to 6 lbs, 10 to 16 weeks old |
| Fryers / roasters | 4 to 6 lbs, 8 to 12 weeks / 6+ lbs, up to 20 weeks |
| Ducks / geese / turkeys | 5 to 6 lbs / 10 to 12 lbs / minimum 15 lbs |
Key Dates
- Jan 25: spring weigh-in for beef, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Apr 26: spring weigh-in for sheep, goats and swine, 1 to 4 p.m.
- May 1: Horse ID and Dog ID forms due; June 1: dog care and housing form due
- July 7: poultry and meat rabbit rosters, horse entry forms (5 p.m.), dog record books and silent auction listings due
- Sat, July 25: general and consumer science interview judging; Cloverbud exhibit day
- Tue, July 28, 4 to 6 p.m.: poultry and rabbit check-in
- Wed, July 29, 8 to 11 a.m.: county fair livestock weigh-in
- Fri, July 31: Round Robin showmanship (horse winners bring their horses); Junior Market Livestock Auction and Silent Auction begin at 6 p.m.
- Sun, Aug 2, 10 a.m. to noon: general exhibit check-out; early release not allowed
- Aug 18: completed livestock record books due
Fees and the Auction
The Junior Livestock Auction charges a 3 percent sale commission plus a $10 per-head fee, with required costs such as brand inspection and beef check-off deducted from proceeds. The silent auction takes a 3 percent commission, and buyers must pay and pick up items by 11 p.m. A $75 complaint deposit is refunded if the complaint is found valid.
Where and Who to Call
Chaffee County Fairgrounds, 10165 County Road 120, Poncha Springs, CO 81201. Fair information: 719-539-6151.
Questions
Can a Cloverbud show a steer?
No. Cloverbuds ages 5 to 7 cannot exhibit livestock projects.
Can I skip showmanship and still sell?
No. Showmanship participation is required to sell market animals.
What if I miss the weigh-in?
Animals must be weighed in at the county fair weigh-in on Wednesday, July 29, 8 to 11 a.m.
Official Links
Colorado County Fairs: The Essentials
Colorado county fairs run through local CSU Extension offices, so every county sets its own dates and deadlines. In 2026 they ran from San Miguel's July 10-19 fair through Delta County's August 1-9.
Deadlines
Garfield County required fair entries on FairEntry.com by July 1 at 5:00 pm with no late entries. Delta County's pre-entry forms were due June 26 at 4:30 PM. Market animals are tagged at spring weigh-in.
Rules
Counties often require Meat Quality Assurance training for new exhibitors and set weight ranges. Washington County's market hogs run 220-300 lbs and lambs 100-170 lbs.
The junior sale
Garfield sells only blue and red ribbon animals. Delta requires two buyer invitations per exhibitor and a 5 percent consignment fee. Thank-you notes are expected. Confirm 2027 dates with your Extension office.
More to know
Elbert County's fair ran July 25 to August 2 in Kiowa, and Washington County's fair week began July 20. The Colorado State Fair is in Pueblo. Interview judging for general 4-H projects happens just before fair, and record books are often due soon after.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Colorado Cattlemen's Association Mid-Winter Conference
Winter policy conference of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association at the Denver Marriott West in Golden, set for Dec. 14-15, 2026.
- National Western Stock Show
Sixteen-day stock show and rodeo at the National Western Complex in Denver, with open breed shows, an auction of junior livestock champions, pro rodeos and horse shows. The 2027 dates are posted.
- Colorado State Fair & Rodeo
Eleven-day state fair and rodeo at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. Fair organizers have announced Aug. 27 to Sept. 6, 2027; the 2026 fair ran Aug. 28 to Sept. 7.
- Western National Roundup
Four-day 4-H and FFA event in Denver with livestock and horse judging, quiz bowl, public speaking and parliamentary procedure contests. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 7-10, 2026.
- National Western Stock Dog Trials
Cattle and sheepdog competition during the opening days of the Denver stock show. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 10-13, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.