What the Market Beef Show Is
The Colorado State Fair Market Beef Show is the market steer and heifer competition at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. It is a terminal show for the animals selected for the Junior Livestock Sale, and it decides the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion market beef. In 2026 the market show was Monday, August 31 at 9:00 a.m. in the CSU Livestock Pavilion, with the FFA Heifer Wrangle starting 30 minutes after it ended. The 2027 fair runs August 27 to September 6.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- 4-H members ages 8 through 18 as of December 31 of the prior year, or FFA members enrolled in an approved Vocational Agriculture program and under 19. Exhibitors must be full-time Colorado residents from nomination through the end of the fair.
- Steers and heifers are eligible, up to four market beef per exhibitor. A heifer must be certified open by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of the fair.
- Minimum weight is 1,050 pounds. There is no official weigh-in: exhibitors use scales and declare a weight at the Livestock Office. The declared weight cannot be changed, and after each class the top five are reweighed. An animal more than 5 percent over or under its declared weight is disqualified.
- Premises Identification Number (PID) at entry; DNA required for every market animal; a meat quality assurance certificate (4-H MQA or YQCA).
- Certificate of veterinary inspection dated within seven days of arrival, and a brand inspection or bill of sale dated before April 1.
- Animals must carry the official county or FFA ear tag.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Nominate by April 1 with the county Extension or FFA office, which sends the form to the fair by April 6. DNA is postmarked by April 6. The nomination date sets the ownership date.
- Enter online by July 27, 2026. Mailed entries are not accepted. The class fee was $25 per entry in the 2026 premium book.
- Arrive Saturday, August 29 (receiving from 7:00 a.m., in place by 5:00 p.m. with no exceptions).
- Sunday, August 30: exhibitor meeting 8:45 a.m., inspection and ear tags 9:00 a.m., weight declarations 9:00 a.m. to noon, fitting contest 2:00 p.m., showmanship 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, August 31: market show at 9:00 a.m., Cattlemen's Luncheon at 12:30 p.m., Grand Champion Drive 30 minutes after the show, non-sale beef out of the barn by 9:00 p.m.
Showmanship
"Blow and Go" showmanship has no fee and no pre-entry; sign up at inspection and weight declaration. Divisions are Junior (8 to 10), Intermediate (11 to 13) and Senior (14 to 18). Rosettes go to 1st through 6th in each division. Judges look at the animal's appearance, the showmanship, and the exhibitor's appearance, courtesy and knowledge.
Premiums, Awards and What You Get
- Class premiums: 1st $40, 2nd $35, 3rd $30, 4th $25, 5th $20, 6th $15, 7th and 8th $10, 9th and 10th $5
- Grand Champion: buckle and trophy from the Colorado Livestock Association, a CSU Animal Sciences traveling trophy and a State Fair banner
- Reserve Grand Champion: a Zoetis buckle, a Colorado Cattlemen's Association trophy and a banner
- 3rd to 5th overall: Zoetis banners
- Senior showmanship winner: a $1,000 scholarship from Northeastern Junior College
- Gelbvieh and Simmental associations pay $100 to the Grand Champion junior if the calf is sired by a qualifying bull
- Division and reserve champions get a complimentary Junior membership in the Colorado Cattlemen's Association
The Grand Champion Market Beef in 2025 sold in the Junior Livestock Sale for $45,000. There is no buy-back consignment; sale animals go to a showcase area after selection.
Where
CSU Livestock Pavilion, Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004.
Questions
Does the fair weigh my steer at entry?
No. You declare a weight, and only the top five in each class are reweighed.
Can I show a market heifer?
Yes, if a veterinarian certifies it open within 30 days of the fair.
Who do I call?
Livestock Department 719-404-2035, or the main office at 719-561-8484 extension 2027.
Official Links
- Market Beef premium book page
- 2026 livestock schedule
- 2026 nomination procedures
- Junior livestock requirements
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.