What the Dairy Cattle Show Is
The Colorado State Fair Dairy Cattle Show is the open and junior dairy cow and heifer competition at the fair in Pueblo. Open and junior exhibitors show on the same day, with a separate junior showmanship contest. In 2026 the Open and Junior Cow Show was Friday, September 4 at 9:00 a.m. in the CSU Livestock Pavilion, followed by the Heifer Show at 11:00 a.m. and showmanship at 2:00 p.m. The 2027 fair runs August 27 to September 6.
Breeds and Classes
Breeds are Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey and Milking Shorthorn, plus Other Breeds in the junior show. Heifer classes run by age from Spring Calf through Fall Yearling, and cow classes from Unfresh 2-Year-Old through Aged Cow, with Dry Cow, Junior and Senior 2-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old, Four-Year-Old and Five-Year-Old classes in between. Champion and Reserve Champion Junior Female and Senior Female are selected in each breed, followed by Supreme Champions.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Colorado residency is not required for the junior dairy show
- 4-H members ages 8 through under 19, FFA members under 19, or junior breed association members under 21 with proof of membership and a current-year breeding project
- Animals must be the exhibitor's bona fide property, with registration or transfer papers in the exhibitor's name before showing. Original papers must be at check-in.
- Purebred or high-grade females; grade heifers need a Colorado brand certificate or permit
- Premises ID number required at entry
- Up to 20 animals per owner, farm or family in individual classes, and no more than two premiums per owner in individual classes
- Substitutions and add-ons happen only at arrival and check-in
- Misrepresenting an animal's age or milk status brings immediate disqualification
- Show attire: white shirt and white pants, no shorts, no names or emblems on animals or exhibitors, entry numbers displayed in the ring
Dates and Fees (2026)
- Entries close Monday, August 10 (online only)
- Entry fee: $25 per junior entry, $35 per open entry
- Arrival begins Thursday, September 3 at noon, animals in place by 5:00 p.m.
- Release begins Friday, September 4 after the show; all out by noon Saturday, September 5
- Exhibitors bring their own bedding or buy it on the grounds; straw is allowed for dairy cattle
Premiums and Awards
- Junior class premiums scale with class size, from $45 for a single entry to $100 for first place in a class of 13 or more
- Open class premiums reach $100 for heifers and $110 for cows (first place, 13 or more entries)
- Ribbons to 1st through 6th; Award A rosettes for champions; Award B banners for Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor
- Colorado Dairy Youth Foundation cash awards for qualifying youth with a Colorado dairy project: Senior 1st $1,000, Senior 2nd $400, Junior 1st $500, Junior 2nd $200
- Dairy Herdsman Award: a special award and $50 cash for the top herdsman, judged on stall and animal cleanliness, punctuality, courtesy and educational displays
- Senior showmanship winner: a framed certificate and a $1,000 scholarship from Northeastern Junior College
Showmanship
There is no fee and no pre-entry beyond having a junior dairy entry. Age divisions are Pee Wee (under 8), Junior (8 to 12), Intermediate (13 to 15) and Senior (16 to 21), as of December 31 of the prior year. Judges consider the animal's appearance, the showmanship, and the exhibitor's appearance, courtesy and knowledge.
Where
CSU Livestock Pavilion, Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004.
Questions
Do I have to live in Colorado?
Not for the junior dairy show. Colorado residency is not required.
Who do I call?
The State Fair main office at 719-561-8484, livestock extension 2027. For a premises ID, the Colorado Department of Agriculture's number is 303-869-9130.
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 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.
- Colorado State Fair Market Hog Show
Market hog show at the Pueblo state fair, starting at 9 a.m. in the livestock pavilion. Held each year; the most recent show was Aug. 28, 2026.
- Colorado State Fair Market Lamb Show
Market lamb classes at the Pueblo state fair, beginning at 9 a.m. in the livestock pavilion. Held each year; the most recent show was Aug. 29, 2026.
- Colorado State Fair Market Poultry Show
Market poultry judging at 8:30 a.m. followed by showmanship in the Small Animal Building at the Pueblo fair. Held each year; the most recent show was Aug. 29, 2026.
1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004 Official event details - Colorado State Fair Market Goat Show
Market goat and junior wether doe classes at the Pueblo fair, starting at 9 a.m. Held each year; the most recent show was Aug. 30, 2026.
1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004 Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.