What FFA Career Development Events Are
Career development events, or CDEs, are contests where FFA members apply what they learn in agricultural education: evaluating livestock, grading soils, selling a product, diagnosing a problem. National FFA says events run at local, state and national levels and are open to members in grades 7 to 12. CSU's College of Agricultural Sciences hosts Colorado's state CDEs on its Fort Collins campus; in 2023 that meant more than 1,750 students over two days at venues including the Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building, ARDEC and B.W. Pickett Arena, per CSU's coverage. A CSU headline reported more than 1,800 students at the 2025 contests, and the 2026 events were held in Fort Collins at the end of April, according to the Dolores report.
Colorado State CDE Contests
The 2023 state results list these contests: Vet Science, Floriculture, Farm and Agribusiness Business Management, Milk Quality and Products, Field Crops, Meats Evaluation and Technology, Land Judging, Food Products and Processing, Dairy Cattle Judging, Horse Evaluation, Agricultural Mechanics, Agriculture Sales and Livestock Evaluation. The 2026 Dolores report mentions many of the same, including Agricultural Mechanics, Horse Judging, Floriculture, Food Products and Processing, Milk Quality and Products, and Ag Sales. The nationally listed events on the National FFA events page also include Agronomy, Forestry, Nursery/Landscape, Poultry Evaluation, Marketing Plan, Environmental and Natural Resources, Food Science and Technology and Dairy Cattle Handlers Activity. Contest lists change, so ask your advisor which events are offered this year.
What Contests Test
- Agricultural Mechanics. Problem solving, tool identification and use, welding, electrical systems and woodworking.
- Floriculture. Plant identification, floral design, greenhouse management and customer service.
- Food Products and Processing. Analyzing food samples, identifying defects and evaluating quality.
- Milk Quality and Products. Dairy product identification, milk evaluation, off-flavor detection and handling practices.
- Ag Sales. Customer relations, sales presentations and problem-solving exercises.
- Horse Judging. Evaluating horses on conformation and performance and giving reasons.
Recent Results
CSU's 2023 results show how widely titles are spread. Cedaredge won both Vet Science and Food Products and Processing team titles. Flagler won Farm and Agribusiness Business Management, Roosevelt won Meats Evaluation and Technology, Eaton won Dairy Cattle Judging, St. Vrain Valley won Horse Evaluation, Brush won Agricultural Mechanics, Windsor won Agriculture Sales, Holyoke won Land Judging, Wray won Field Crops, Platte Valley won Milk Quality and Products, Lone Star won Floriculture and Douglas County won Livestock Evaluation. Smaller chapters win often.
In 2026, Dolores earned a bronze team ranking in Agricultural Mechanics, where Branson Lee won individual gold and Kooper Thomas individual silver.
Middle School and Districts
Younger members have a path too. Dolores reported that middle school district CDEs were held in Durango, where an eighth-grade Veterinary Science team placed fourth and a Milk Quality and Products team placed first. Districts are the step before state for many events.
Convention and Advancing to Nationals
The Colorado FFA State Convention is held at Colorado State University Pueblo. The 98th convention in 2026 drew more than 2,000 members according to the Meeker report, and the 96th convention was held in the Massari Arena, per CSU Pueblo, which says the university hosts the event every June under a contract through the 100th anniversary. State CDE winners advance to the National FFA Convention and Expo; the 2026 national convention is October 21-24 in Indianapolis. We did not find published 2027 dates or registration deadlines, so ask your advisor.
Other Places to Compete
The Western National Roundup also hosts FFA contests. Colorado 4-H's past results page lists 2026 results for FFA livestock judging (individual and team), FFA meat judging and FFA horse judging, along with livestock quiz bowl and skill-a-thon events. Results there are posted as linked PDFs, so check the page for your chapter.
Recognition Beyond the Contest
Contest placings sit alongside other state honors. The Colorado FFA State Degree is the state's highest honor, and the 97th convention report from the Meeker school paper lists its requirements as two years of agricultural education, a significant SAE investment, leadership roles, public speaking and at least 25 hours of community service. Strong CDE results help a chapter's profile, but the degree rewards the whole program.
Practical Tips
- Choose events that match your chapter's strengths and team size.
- Practice with the national event handbooks, which every event has.
- Ask your advisor about district contest dates, because a state spot usually runs through them.
- Bring your own tools and know what the contest supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can compete in a CDE?
FFA members in grades 7 through 12.
Where are Colorado state CDEs held?
At Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Where is the state convention?
At Colorado State University Pueblo.
When do state winners compete nationally?
At the National FFA Convention and Expo, which is October 21-24 in 2026 in Indianapolis.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.