What the Market Lamb Show Is
The Colorado State Fair Market Lamb Show is the youth market lamb competition at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. Lambs are judged by breed division and weight, and the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion are chosen in a Grand Drive. Selected lambs go on to the Junior Livestock Sale. In 2026 the lamb show was Saturday, August 29 at 9:00 a.m. in the CSU Livestock Pavilion, with showmanship the evening before. The 2027 fair runs August 27 to September 6.
Divisions
| Division | Lambs included |
|---|---|
| Wool Breeds | Rambouillet, Merino, Debouillet, Columbia, Corriedale, Targhee and crosses |
| Dorset | Purebred Dorset characteristics |
| Southdown | Purebred Southdown characteristics |
| Speckled Face | Crosses of wool and medium wool breeds |
| Black Face | Hampshire, Suffolk and Blackface crosses, shown in four weight divisions from Lightweight to Heavyweight |
Small classes are combined with related divisions, and entries that do not meet breed standards move to a crossbred class. Breeds with 15 or fewer head qualify only their Breed Champion and Reserve Breed Champion for the Junior Livestock Sale. These details are from the 2025 premium book.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- 4-H members ages 8 through 18, or FFA members under 19, as of December 31 of the prior year; full-time Colorado residents
- Wethers and ewe lambs of any breed or cross. A new 2026 maximum weight of 165 pounds applies; the 2025 premium book listed a 110 pound minimum
- Up to four lambs per exhibitor
- No official weigh-in: exhibitors weigh on scales, declare a weight, and the top five in each class are reweighed. More than 5 percent off the declared weight is disqualified.
- Lambs must be slick-shorn at inspection in designated areas, with wool foretops and boots allowed to remain
- All goats and lambs need scrapie tags; PID number, DNA and a meat quality assurance certificate (4-H MQA or YQCA) are required
How It Works: The Timeline
- Nominate with the county Extension or FFA office by June 1; the office sends the form and DNA to the fair by June 8.
- Enter online by July 27, 2026. Mailed entries are not accepted. The 2025 entry fee was $20 per entry.
- Thursday, August 27: receiving from 7:00 a.m., in place by 5:00 p.m., no exceptions.
- Friday, August 28: exhibitor meeting 8:45 a.m., inspection and ear tagging at 9:00 a.m., weight declarations 9:00 a.m. to noon, showmanship at 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 29: show at 9:00 a.m., Grand Drive 30 minutes after the show, livestock judging awards after the drive, non-sale lambs out by 9:00 p.m.
Showmanship, Premiums and Awards
Showmanship has no fee. Divisions are Junior (8 to 10), Intermediate (11 to 13) and Senior (14 to 18), and rosettes go to 1st through 6th. Class premiums in the 2025 book scaled with class size: for example $23 for first place in a class of 5 to 9, rising to $34 in a class of 20 or more. The Grand Champion received a CSU buckle, a Colorado Livestock Association trophy, a CSU traveling trophy and a banner, and the Reserve Grand Champion a buckle, trophy and banner. The Senior showmanship winner earned a $1,000 Northeastern Junior College scholarship. The American Hampshire Sheep Association pays $50 to a Grand Champion sired by a registered Hampshire ram.
The 2025 Grand Champion Market Lamb, shown by Kahlen Tolle of Weld County, sold for $12,000 in the Junior Livestock Sale. Lambs not selected for the sale are released to the exhibitor or may be consigned for buyback.
Where
CSU Livestock Pavilion, Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004.
Questions
Can I show a ewe lamb?
Yes. Wethers and ewe lambs are eligible.
Do lambs have to be shorn?
Yes, lambs must be slick-shorn at inspection.
Who do I call?
Livestock Department 719-404-2035, or the main office at 719-561-8484 extension 2027.
Official Links
- Market Lamb premium book page (2025)
- 2026 livestock schedule
- What's new in 2026
- 2026 nomination procedures
- 2025 Junior Livestock Sale results
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 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 - Colorado State Fair Market Beef Show
Market steer show starting at 9 a.m. on the opening Monday of livestock judging in Pueblo, followed by the FFA Heifer Wrangle. Held each year; the most recent show was Aug. 31, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.