How Colorado County Fairs Work
Colorado county fairs are run locally, usually through the county CSU Extension office, so dates, deadlines and rules differ from county to county. The 2026 season ran from early July into August, and the fair book and rule sheets for your county are the final word. Look for 4-H and FFA junior divisions, open class exhibits, livestock shows and, at many fairs, a junior livestock sale.
2026 Fair Dates We Found
- San Miguel County. July 10-19, 2026, per the county 4-H dates page.
- Washington County. Fair week began July 20, with the Eastern Colorado Roundup July 20-25, per the 2026 fair newsletter.
- Elbert County. July 25 to August 2, 2026, at 95 Ute Ave. in Kiowa, per the Extension event page.
- Garfield County. August 1-8, 2026, per the 2026 livestock rulebook.
- Delta County. August 1-9, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Hotchkiss, per the 2026 fair book.
The Colorado State Fair is held at 1001 Beulah Ave. in Pueblo. Its events page showed a banner for August 27 to September 6, 2027, and links to livestock, junior livestock sale and 4-H information pages. We did not find 2027 county fair dates, so check your county Extension office in spring.
Enrollment, Deadlines and Entries
Fair success starts months earlier. Garfield County's 2026 rulebook shows a typical calendar:
- Project enrollment and 4-H fees due February 1.
- Online uploads for market animals due by species: beef February 27, sheep, goat and swine April 24, with breeding animals and turkeys and geese May 1.
- Spring weigh-in for beef March 6-7 and for sheep, goat and swine May 1-2, both by appointment.
- Fair entries on FairEntry.com due July 1 at 5:00 pm, with no late entries.
- Record books due August 25.
Delta County's cutoff is earlier: pre-entry forms and Market Livestock Sale invitation forms were due June 26 at 4:30 PM at the Extension office, and brand inspection papers for beef breeding animals had to come with them. Washington County listed shooting sports entries on July 9 and record books on July 14. Deadlines are county-specific, so do not borrow another county's calendar.
Livestock Rules to Know
- Ownership dates. Garfield required market beef to be owned by February 27 and market goats, sheep and swine by April 24.
- Tagging. Market animals are tagged or tattooed at spring weigh-in, and sheep and goats need a scrapie tag.
- Quality assurance. Garfield requires Meat Quality Assurance for first-year exhibitors, members turning 11 and members who turned 14 in the past year. Delta also expects MQA training as required. San Miguel asks market and breeding livestock members to attend once in their first year and again as a senior.
- Weights. Washington County's market ranges include lambs at 100-170 lbs, hogs at 220-300 lbs and steers at 1,050-1,550 lbs. Delta's minimums include steers at 1,050 lb and sheep at 100 lb. Animals outside the range may show in an under/overweight class but cannot ship or sell in Washington County.
- Limits. Garfield allows two market plus two producer market entries per species at fair weigh-in, with 12 total entries including showmanship. Delta allows two market animals each of goats, sheep, swine and beef.
- Barn conduct. Delta closes barns at 10:00 PM and reopens at 6:00 AM, and requires pens cleaned daily by 8:00 AM.
Interview Judging and Premier Exhibitor
General 4-H projects are interview judged. Delta began 4-H general project check-in and interview judging on Friday, July 31, at 9:00 AM, and Washington County held Home Ec and General project interviews on July 14. Garfield also runs a Premier Exhibitor Contest scored out of 500 points: a written test, showmanship, record book, interview and best live animal placing, 100 points each. Any white ribbon disqualifies the exhibitor.
Junior Livestock Sale
- Who sells. Garfield sells only blue and red ribbon animals, with one animal per species and no more than two per exhibitor. Washington County lets each member consign up to two animals, not from the same species, and requires showmanship in any species sold.
- Buyer invitations. Delta requires each market exhibitor to invite two businesses or individuals, with a $25 penalty per uncontacted invitation, up to $50.
- Fees. Delta charges a 5 percent consignment fee on sale animals and add-on money. Washington County charges $5 per head to ship.
- Thank-you notes. Delta sellers must write a note to their buyer to receive payment, and Washington County asks for a formal thank-you card turned in at the office.
- Sale day. Garfield's sale was Saturday, August 8 at 1:00 pm.
Open Class
Open class exhibits are for non-4-H entries. Delta takes open class non-livestock entries at the fairgrounds on Tuesday of fair, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and requires all open class livestock to be pre-entered. Market livestock can show in open classes but cannot sell in Delta's junior sale. Delta pays Heritage Hall premiums Sunday from 8:00 AM to noon, and premiums not picked up by noon are forfeited.
Practical Tips
- Get your county's rulebook in winter and put every date on a calendar.
- Watch for typos in fair books. Both Garfield and Delta printed a 2025 date in a rule while the schedule said 2026, so confirm with the Extension office.
- Plan your buyer invitations and thank-you notes early.
- Clean your pens on time; Delta ties good standing next year to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Colorado State Fair?
The state fair is in Pueblo. Its events page showed August 27 to September 6, 2027.
Where do I find my county's fair book?
Contact your county CSU Extension office. Many post fair books and livestock rules on their county pages.
Can every animal sell at the junior livestock sale?
No. Garfield sells only blue and red ribbon animals, and Washington County requires animals to make weight and show in regular market classes.
What is MQA?
Meat Quality Assurance training. Several counties require it for new exhibitors and again at set ages, so ask your Extension office for session dates.
Colorado Listings Covered by This Guide
- 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.
- Custer County Fair
Custer County Fair in the Wet Mountain Valley, July 9 to 19, 2026, held at the Westcliffe Fairgrounds.
90 Co Rd 241, Westcliffe, CO 81252 | 719-783-2514 | Organizer: Custer County Official event details - Morgan County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 9-30, 2026 at the Morgan County Fairgrounds, with 4-H shooting sports from June 27, horse shows, livestock shows by species, a sale and a barn dance.
Fort Morgan, CO | Organizer: Morgan County CSU Extension 4-H Official event details - Fremont County Fair
Held each year; the most recent run was July 10 to August 2, 2026, centered on Pathfinder Park Event Center with 4-H and FFA shows, trap and sporting clays at Cactus Flats Gun Club and a CPRA rodeo.
Canon City, CO | Organizer: Fremont County 4-H and Fair Board Official event details - San Miguel Basin County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 10-19, 2026, with 4-H beef, lamb, goat, swine and small animal projects weighed in beforehand and run by a volunteer fair board.
Norwood, CO | Organizer: San Miguel Basin County Fair Board Official event details - Mesa County Fair
Five-day fair in Grand Junction (July 14 to 18 in 2026) with 4-H animals, open class exhibits, a carnival, bull riding Thursday, rodeo Friday and demolition derby Saturday. Held each year in July.
2785 US-50, Grand Junction, CO 81503 | 970-256-1528 | Organizer: Mesa County Fairgrounds Official event details - Cheyenne County Tumbleweed Fair
Cheyenne County's Tumbleweed Fair runs July 17 to 25, 2026 at the fairgrounds in Cheyenne Wells; ticketing for events is online.
425 West 6th Street South, Cheyenne Wells, CO 80810 | Organizer: Cheyenne County Official event details - Montrose County Fair and Rodeo
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 17-25, 2026 at the Montrose County Fairgrounds.
1001 North Second Street, Montrose, CO 81401 Official event details - Weld County Fair
Ten-day county fair in Greeley with 4-H and FFA exhibits. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 18-27, 2026.
Greeley, CO Official event details - Montezuma County Fair
Two-week fair in Cortez (July 18 to August 1 in 2026) with horse, rabbit, goat, fowl, beef, swine and sheep shows, bucket calf, goat roping, ranch rodeo, team roping and a junior livestock sale. Held each year.
Cortez, CO | Organizer: Montezuma County Fair Board Official event details - Crowley County Days
Crowley County Days is the county fair and festival at the Ordway fairgrounds, July 20 to 25, 2026, with 4-H shows, open-class exhibits and a parade.
County Lane 17, Ordway, CO 81063 | 719-267-5555 | Organizer: Crowley County Official event details - Eagle County Fair and Rodeo
Eagle County Fair and Rodeo, July 20 to 25, 2026, at the Eagle County Fairgrounds.
0426 Fairgrounds Road, Eagle, CO 81631 | 970-328-3646 | Organizer: Eagle County Official event details - Las Animas County Fair
Trinidad fair held July 21 to 25 in 2026 with 4-H and FFA livestock shows, rodeo and horse shows in the historic arena, exhibit hall entries and live music. Held each year in July.
Trinidad, CO | Organizer: Las Animas County Extension Official event details - Douglas County Fair & Rodeo
County fair and rodeo at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24 to Aug. 2, 2026.
- Arapahoe County Fair NSPA Tractor Pull
Friday-night sanctioned tractor pull held at the 2026 Arapahoe County Fair in Aurora on July 24, alongside the first drone light show.
2560 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80016 | Organizer: Arapahoe County Official event details - Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo
Nine-day Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo at the Poncha Springs fairgrounds, July 24 to August 1, 2026.
- 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 - Morgan County Fair Poultry and Rabbit Judging
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24, 2026, the first of the species shows at the Morgan County Fairgrounds during fair week.
Fort Morgan, CO Official event details - Teller County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 24-August 2, 2026 at the Teller County Fairgrounds, Cripple Creek.
500 Co Rd 1, Cripple Creek, CO 80813 Official event details - Middle Park Fair & Rodeo
Two-week fair and rodeo in Kremmling serving Middle Park ranchers. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 26 to Aug. 9, 2026.
Kremmling, CO Official event details - Jefferson County Fair
Jeffco fair at the Golden fairgrounds, July 26 to August 2 in 2026, with horse shows, llama, alpaca, goat and sheep shows, swine and beef, a gymkhana and a livestock auction. No carnival. Held each year.
15200 W 6th Ave, Golden, CO 80401 | Organizer: Jeffco 4-H and Fair Inc. Official event details - Morgan County Fair Breeding Sheep Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 26, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building at the Morgan County Fairgrounds.
Fort Morgan, CO Official event details - Morgan County Fair Swine Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., with breeding, showmanship and market swine classes in the Multi-Purpose Building.
Fort Morgan, CO Official event details - Yuma County Fair Interview Judging
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 27, 2026 at the fairgrounds, where 4-H exhibitors are interviewed on projects; Yuma County Shooting Sports runs concessions at the event.
Yuma, CO Official event details - Rio Blanco County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 27-August 1, 2026 at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds, Meeker, with 4-H shooting sports, livestock shows and open class exhibits.
835 Sulphur Creek Rd, Meeker, CO 81641 Official event details - Morgan County Fair Beef Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 28, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. in the Indoor Arena, with breeding, market and showmanship classes for beef cattle.
Fort Morgan, CO Official event details - Yuma County Fair Dog Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 28, 2026 at the Yuma County Fairgrounds, the day before animals arrive for the main livestock portion of the fair.
Yuma, CO Official event details - Adams County Fair
Five-day Adams County fair in Brighton. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 29 to Aug. 2, 2026.
Brighton, CO Official event details - Lincoln County Fair and Rodeo
Eleven-day fair at the Hugo fairgrounds (July 29 to August 8 in 2026) with horse events, ranch rodeo, 4-H livestock shows, junior sale, PRCA rodeo, horse races and a Saturday parade. Held each year.
Hugo, CO | Organizer: Lincoln County Extension Official event details - Morgan County Fair Dairy Cattle Judging
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in the Indoor Arena at the Morgan County Fairgrounds.
Fort Morgan, CO Official event details - Morgan County Fair Catch-it Dairy Heifer Sale
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 29, 2026 at noon in the Indoor Arena, a catch-it dairy heifer sale held during fair week.
Fort Morgan, CO Official event details - Yuma County Fair
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 29-August 2, 2026 at the Yuma County Fairgrounds, with animal check-in on opening day, test scales, a food booth run by 4-H clubs, and a parade themed Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights.
Yuma, CO | 970-630-3949 | Organizer: Yuma County Fair Board Official event details - Archuleta County Fair
County fair at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds in Pagosa Springs. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 30 to Aug. 2, 2026.
Pagosa Springs, CO 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 - Morgan County Fair Junior Livestock Sale
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 30, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building, preceded by a barbecue from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Mark Arndt Event Center.
Fort Morgan, CO Official event details - Larimer County Fair and Rodeo
Larimer County fair and rodeo at The Ranch in Loveland, with 4-H swine, goat, sheep and dairy shows, a carnival and the junior livestock sale. Held each year; the most recent run began July 31, 2026.
- Larimer County Fair Swine Weigh-In
Swine weigh-in and vet check for 4-H market hogs on July 31, 2026, the opening step of the Larimer fair livestock week in Loveland. Held each year.
5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, CO 80538 | 970-619-4000 | Organizer: Larimer County 4-H Official event details - Moffat County Fair
Craig fair running July 31 to August 8 in 2026, with a juried exhibit show, about 10 food booths, a stage of music and an expected 6,000 visitors. Held each year in late July and early August.
750 E. 4th Street, Craig, CO | Organizer: Moffat County Fair Board Official event details - Kit Carson County Fair & Pro Rodeo
Eastern plains fair paired with a pro rodeo in Burlington. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 25 to Aug. 1, 2026.
- Arapahoe County Fair CPRA Rodeo
Colorado Professional Rodeo Association performances on Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26, 2026, closing out the Arapahoe County Fair weekend.
2560 E Quincy Ave, Aurora, CO 80016 | Organizer: Arapahoe County Official event details
Plus 47 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Colorado directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.