What the Kit Carson County Fair and Pro Rodeo Is
The Kit Carson County Fair is the 4-H, FFA and open-class fair of Burlington, Colorado, held at the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds and paired with a PRCA rodeo. The 2026 fair ran July 24 to August 1 with the theme "Beyond Ready to Lead." Youth show market beef, swine, sheep and goats, compete in clothing, foods and ag mechanics, and sell at the Youth Livestock Sale.
Key Dates and Deadlines (2026)
- June 26: foods and clothing pre-entry; 4-H/FFA booth reservations
- July 1: livestock, horse, rabbit, poultry and sheep lead pre-entry (before 5 p.m.)
- July 7: last day for late entries ($20 late fee or class change fee)
- July 17: last day to book a fairgrounds scale appointment
- July 21, 9 a.m.: clothing construction and fashion revue judging in Burlington
- July 24, 5 to 7 p.m.: general and home economics check-in at the 4-H Exhibit Building; club booths set up by 2 p.m.
- July 25: general and home economics judging at 9 a.m.; foods interview judging
- July 27, noon: Catch-it Lamb, Pig and Goat applications; July 29, 5 p.m.: Catch-it Calf applications
- Youth Livestock Sale sign-up: swine July 28, 9 a.m.; sheep, goat, poultry and rabbit July 29, 9 a.m.; beef July 29, 1 p.m.
Livestock Schedule
| Species | Weigh-in | Show |
|---|---|---|
| Swine | July 26, 6 to 8 p.m. | July 27, 5 p.m. |
| Sheep and goats | July 27, 9 to 10 a.m. | July 28, 8:30 a.m. (goats 15 minutes after sheep) |
| Beef | July 27, 10 to 11 a.m. | July 29, 8 a.m. |
| Poultry and rabbits | - | July 27, 9 a.m. |
No re-weighs are allowed. Brand inspection for beef happens at weigh-in. The Sheep Lead Show is July 30 at 5 p.m. at Carousel Park. Catch-it contests: lamb, pig and goat July 26 at 6 p.m.; calf July 31 at 7 p.m. before the Parade of Livestock.
Market Livestock Rules
- Weight limits are strictly enforced: beef 1,000 to 1,600 lbs; swine 225 to 295 lbs; sheep 95 to 165 lbs; goats 50 to 125 lbs.
- Off-weight animals may show only in showmanship and a lightweight or heavyweight class, and are ineligible for champion.
- Days on feed: beef 163, sheep 70.
- Switching is limited to siblings or step-siblings in the same household, with a transfer form signed at the Extension Office.
- Back numbers are required for every livestock show.
Fees
- Youth Livestock Sale sign-up: $10 per animal
- Rodeo armbands: $10 for 4-H/FFA livestock exhibitors, $15 for 4-H leaders
- Market Beef Carcass Contest: $20 per head; the feeding contest is free with class entry
- Display boards $3; record book covers $3.50; primary and open class entries earn a $3 premium
Youth Livestock Sale and Rodeo
The Buyers' Supper is Wednesday, July 29 at 5 p.m. in the show pavilion, followed by the Youth Livestock Sale at 6:30 p.m. Each eligible exhibitor may sell one animal in each of two species. Catch-it animals must be signed up separately. Unsold animals stay the exhibitor's responsibility. Premium checks are mailed in late August or early September. The Parade of Livestock runs before each PRCA rodeo performance on Thursday and Friday. Awards: fashion revue July 28, 4:30 p.m.; 4-H general, home economics, scholarship and herdsman awards July 31, 4 p.m. Livestock are released July 31 at 8 p.m.
Where and Who to Call
Kit Carson County Fairgrounds, Burlington, CO. Extension Office: 719-346-5571.
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
- Kit Carson County Fair
Nine-day fair in Burlington (July 24 to August 1 in 2026) with 4-H and FFA livestock shows, a youth livestock sale, catch-it animal contests and PRCA rodeo. Held each year in late July.
Burlington, CO | 719-346-5571 | Organizer: Kit Carson County Extension Official event details - Kit Carson County Catch-It Livestock Contests
Catch-it lamb, pig and goat contest on July 26 at 6 p.m. and catch-it calf on July 31 at 7 p.m. before the Parade of Livestock, held during the 2026 county fair and repeated each year.
Burlington, CO | 719-346-5571 | Organizer: Kit Carson County 4-H Official event details - Kit Carson County Youth Livestock Sale
Youth livestock sale at 6:30 p.m. in the show pavilion on July 29, 2026, preceded by a catered buyers supper at 5 p.m. Sign-up deadlines carry a $10 fee. Held each year.
Burlington, CO | 719-346-5571 | Organizer: Kit Carson County 4-H and FFA Official event details - Kit Carson County Fair PRCA Rodeo
PRCA rodeo performances Thursday through Saturday of fair week in Burlington (July 30 to August 1 in 2026), with a Parade of Livestock before the Thursday and Friday shows. Held each year.
Burlington, CO | 719-346-5571 | Organizer: Kit Carson County Fair Board Official event details - 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.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.