What the Mid-Winter Conference Is
The CCA Mid-Winter Conference is the Colorado Cattlemen's Association's winter policy meeting. CCA moved it from January to November in 2025 so that policy discussions and association priorities could be set before the new year, and the 2026 conference is set for Monday, December 14 and Tuesday, December 15 at the Denver Marriott West in Golden. It lets members discuss the past year's challenges, look ahead to industry impacts and recognize achievements. CCA describes itself as a grassroots, member-led, policy-driven organization, and the conference is where members shape that policy.
How It Works: The 2026 Schedule
Monday, December 14
- 8:00 a.m. CCW Board Meeting (general membership invited)
- 9:00 a.m. CCALT Board Meeting; 11:00 a.m. CCA Foundation Trustees Meeting
- 11:00 a.m. "Strategies for Marketing Your Cattle," open to all
- 1:00 p.m. registration opens
- 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. first round of steering committees: Ag Policy, Tax and Finance; Beef Improvement; Wildlife Resources
- 4:00 p.m. Leadership and Membership Table Talk
- 5:00 p.m. 1867 Reception and 6:00 p.m. 1867 Banquet
Tuesday, December 15
- 7:00 a.m. registration and coffee; State Board of Stock Inspection meeting
- 8:00 to 10:15 a.m. second round of steering committees: Animal Health and Welfare; Brand and Theft; Federal Lands and BLM/FS Liaison; Water
- 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. third round: Marketing; Property Rights and Resource Stewardship; State Lands
- 12:00 p.m. Nominating and Credentials Committees
- 12:30 p.m. CCA Lunch and Business Meeting, followed by the CCA Board Meeting
Who Attends and How Policy Is Made
Attendees include CCA active members, industry stakeholders, the board of directors, the Colorado Cattlemen's Foundation, Colorado CattleWomen, producers, sponsors and partners. Steering committees give updates and set CCA's policies and positions on legislative and regulatory issues affecting Colorado's beef industry. At the 2025 business session, members presented one board directive and approved two resolutions. A legislative panel and reception gave members direct contact with lawmakers ahead of the legislative session.
Awards
Awards are presented at the conference. The 2025 winners included:
- Outstanding Commercial Producer: Rocking U7 Ranch (Del and Lynne Sherrod, Collbran)
- Outstanding Seedstock Producer: Coyote Ridge Ranch (Cornelius family, LaSalle)
- Brand Inspector of the Year: Mark Zimmerman, Colorado Brand Board
- Law Officer of the Year: Larimer County Deputy District Attorney Brianna Bowker
- Public Service Award: Justin Bennett, U.S. Forest Service
- Colorado CattleWoman of the Year: Sara Shields, Westcliffe
- CattleWomen Rookie of the Year: Megan Cassidy, Mesa County CattleWomen
Registration, Cost and Lodging
Register online through the CCA registration form; no registration fee is listed. Hotel room rate is $145, with a reservation deadline of November 13. Hotel phone: 303-279-9100.
Where
Denver Marriott West Hotel, 1717 Denver Marriott Blvd, Golden, CO 80401.
Questions
Is any session open to everyone?
"Strategies for Marketing Your Cattle" on Monday at 11:00 a.m. is open to all, and the CCW Board Meeting welcomes general membership.
Who do I call?
The CCA office at 303-431-6422. Mailing address: PO Box 16307, Denver, CO 80216.
Official Links
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Jefferson County Fair
Jeffco fair at the Golden fairgrounds, July 26 to August 2 in 2026, with horse shows, llama, alpaca, goat and sheep shows, swine and beef, a gymkhana and a livestock auction. No carnival. Held each year.
15200 W 6th Ave, Golden, CO 80401 | Organizer: Jeffco 4-H and Fair Inc. Official event details - Jefferson County 4-H Swine, Beef and Poultry Shows
Swine and beef shows start at 8 a.m. on July 31, 2026, with poultry, rabbit and cavy shows at 9:30 a.m. and an animal costume contest later in the day. Held each year.
15200 W 6th Ave, Golden, CO 80401 | Organizer: Jeffco 4-H Official event details - Jefferson County Fair Livestock Auction
Junior livestock auction at 5 p.m. on August 1, 2026, preceded by a JLEP barbecue meal at 4 p.m. and the Youth Market opening. Held each year during Jeffco fair week.
15200 W 6th Ave, Golden, CO 80401 | Organizer: Jeffco 4-H Official event details - 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.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.