What the Junior Livestock Sale Is
Colorado's Electric Cooperatives Junior Livestock Sale is the premium auction for the best 4-H and FFA market animals at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. Youth who place highest in the fair's market shows may sell their animals to buyer groups from across Colorado, who use the sale to support 4-H and FFA youth. The 2026 sale was held Tuesday, September 1 at 2:00 p.m. in the Southwest Motors Events Center. World Champion Auctioneer John Korrey has sold the event for 27 years.
How Animals Qualify
The Board's Competitive Exhibits Committee selects sale qualifiers. Maximum sale numbers are 40 beef, 40 goats, 40 hogs and 40 lambs, plus 2 market chicken pens, 2 market rabbit meat pens and 2 turkeys, including the Grand and Reserve Grand Champions. No animal placing lower than third is eligible. Selection runs from the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion to the top overall placings, then weight or breed division champions, then reserve champions and on down by placing. Ties are broken by random draw. A tentative list posts after each Grand Champion drive, and no alternates are posted.
To compete for a spot, an exhibitor must be a 4-H member ages 8 through 18 or an FFA member under 19, a full-time Colorado resident, and must have nominated the animal with DNA on time. An animal sold privately, or at a county, district or premium sale, after nomination cannot compete that year.
How It Works: The 2026 Sale Day
- 8:30 a.m. qualifiers' meeting and breakfast in the Events Center
- 9:00 a.m. sale animals moved to the Showcase Area
- 12:30 p.m. buyers' buses arrive; pre-sale activities and dinner
- 2:00 p.m. the sale begins
Sale animals are terminal and go directly to slaughter after the sale. A sale is final at auction, regardless of payment or delivery. The fair's website also carries information on becoming a buyer, adding on to a sale animal and ordering sale tickets.
Proceeds and What the Exhibitor Gets
Exhibitors are paid the sale price, less the deductions listed in the rules: testing charges for Grand and Reserve Grand Champions, state boards and taxes (Beef Board, Pork Producers, Brand Board, lamb tax) and freight. Sale animals carry warranties that the carcass is fit for human consumption, has no illegal drug residue, shows no unethical fitting and has no unusual condition that would reduce its value. A W-9 is required for any sale proceeds.
The 2025 sale raised more than $508,000 for 102 animals. Top prices:
| Champion | Exhibitor (county) | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Champion Market Beef | Jake King (Washington) | $45,000 |
| Grand Champion Market Hog | Annie Hanratty (Pueblo) | $32,000 |
| Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef | Cal Sidwell (Weld) | $16,000 |
| Grand Champion Market Lamb | Kahlen Tolle (Weld) | $12,000 |
| Grand Champion Market Goat | Dylan Stone (Weld) | $6,000 |
Where
Southwest Motors Events Center, Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004. The 2027 fair runs August 27 to September 6.
Questions
Can a third-place animal sell?
Yes, third is the lowest placing eligible, depending on the species and class.
Can I take my animal home instead?
Posted sale animals may leave only by going directly to slaughter after the sale.
Who do I call?
The State Fair office at 719-561-8484, livestock extension 2027.
Official Links
- 2026 livestock schedule
- Junior livestock competition requirements
- 2025 sale results
- What's new in 2026
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.