April 6, 2026 Minutes

Weld County Fair Board Minutes

April 6, 2026

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Landon Cogburn, President. Those present were President Cogburn, Vice President Aaron Helus, Treasurer Levi Loveland, and Members Bailey Naibauer, Tom Bledsoe, and Fred Keyser. Secretary Isaia Aracayos was absent.

Also present were Fair Coordinator Mikayla Gabel, Fair Assistant Cheryl Aragon, 4-H Specialist Kim Eastwood, and Livestock Specialist Larry Hooker.

II.  Invocation 

The Invocation was provided by President Cogburn.

III.  Pledges

President Cogburn led the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV.  Additions/Changes to Agenda

Approval of financial items was added V. c. Under the Consent Agenda.

V.  Consent Agenda

a. March Meeting Minutes)

Member Bledsoe moved, seconded by Member Naibauer to approve the Meeting Minutes from March 2026. 

The motion carried: 6-0 (Secretary Aricayos absent)

b. March Financial Report

Member Bledsoe moved, seconded by Member Naibauer to approve the Meeting Minutes from March 2026. 

The motion carried: 6-0 (Secretary Aricayos absent)

c. Ms. Gabel requested that all of 2024 outstanding checks be cleared. She noted that they will show as a journal entry in the financial books. Will show as a journal entry in the books.  

Treasurer Loveland clarified that all 2024 items will be cleared for a total of $942.24, which was confirmed. Member Bledsoe moved, seconded by Member Naibauer to clear outstanding items as requested and as noted.  The motion carried: 6-0 (a Secretary Aricayos absent)

VI.  Special Requests/Guest Reports

a. Commissioner Lynette Peppler

Commissioner Peppler provided an update from Weld County Commissioners and noted that there is a lot going on.

b. Royalty Court

Dakota Bernard, Royalty Attendant, reviewed the February and March appearances and events. It was noted that some new sponsors have been secured.

c. Jr. Fair Board

Reagan Ellis reported that new pictures were taken of the Board for the Fair Book; wrote bios for the Fair Book as well. The contract for the concert is progressing. Advertising will happen on the 4-H websites, sponsors websites, etc.

VII.  Old Business

a. Fair Staff Update

Ms. Gabel reported that the Announcer, Braxton will be coming back this year; that the Data Entry Clerk position is live and closes April 20th; there will be a work session set for the Data Entry Clerk, once chosen, to meet with Superintendents on expectations, how classes need to be broken, etc. That will happen sometime around the Livestock Meeting, and this person will start in early May.

Tent Quotes were reviewed – increase in pig tent $15,000 because no cost increases have ever been implemented. It’s possible to use the Small Equipment line item.  The partnership with Dairy Extravaganza, Stampede, and Fair was discussed to leave the tent up the entirety of the Dairy Extravaganza, Stampede and Fair.  The problem is the sanding and interceding after aeration. President Cogburn will talk with Luke Arnold more and see what’s possible.

4-H Foundation MOU. The updated MOU was discussed at the Foundation Meeting. The Fair will track it and give recipients a certificate that they must redeem when they graduate.

Discussion about Showtimes proposal, and this was tabled for this year.

Jeff Darnell and Global AI sponsorship. Minimum of $10,000. It sounded great but then we realized that they really want to give if we have a truck pull. They want to sponsor livestock shows and want some sale exposure. Some things we will be unable to meet in terms of their requests, but Ms. Gabel will go ahead and let them know what we can do and what we can’t do.

Sponsorships are at $72,000 verbally committed at this point. There are quite a few meetings this week and next week, so sponsorships are still be sought.

b. Entertainment Update

Summer Nights Series – Wednesday Carnival Moments on the Midway. Carnival game night is sponsored by Chevron on D street, 12 games, and will run from 6-9 pm with free popcorn and free ice cream from Kerbs Dairy. Prizes are sponsored. No work for staff. The company sets up, staff the booths, and tears down.

Thursday – Fair Flick Under the Stars 8 -10 featuring the movie, Ferdinand.  Free popcorn. No costs. Vendors open late. $1,000 sponsorship.

Friday – Sounds of Summer Concert - Front Range Revival 7-9. Legal is reviewing the contract. Along with this would be a Stage Side Bar, pitching a partnership with Colorado Farm Show to pull the special liquor permit for that evening. It would be in an enclosed area inside the Pavillion, and details are all still in the works.

Blue Ribbon Game Yard – yard games intentionally set for kids to play games throughout Fair just south of the Vendor Court.

c. Fair Book Changes

There were no Fair Book changes to report.

VIII.  New Business

a. Vendor Rules & Regs

Changes to the Vendor Rules & Regs were reviewed to better define non-profit/static booths from vendors selling food/beverage or other retail items and to strengthen language about not blocking entry/exits or show rings if a religious or political group wanted to participate. These changes will be incorporated and communicated.

The Hands and Praise request to do God Bless America by sign language at Fair events was discussed. 

Sale Committee will be asked about them doing it for Sale and it could also be done at the 

Community Barbecue. Treasurer Loveland so moved, seconded by Member Bledsoe. 6-0 (Secretary Aricayos absent)

b. Committee Reports/Recommendations:

i. Premier Exhibitor Tom Bledsoe

A meeting is being set up, but all is good.

ii. Carcass Contest Isaia Aricayos

CSU sent check for $1,500, and it has been deposited. Mr. Hooker stated that the plan is to email all kids in the sheep carcass portion along with an updated ranking sheet explaining it. Each of the top ten will get an email that are in the cash award, and they will be given 90 days to cash check. Checks will not be re-issued.

iii. All Around Showmanship Tom Bledsoe A meeting is being set up.

iv. Drug Testing Landon Cogburn

The Fair is buying rabbit cages so they can get drug samples. Member Bledsoe moved, seconded by Vice President to purchase two indoor rabbit cages to collect fecal matter at Fair. The motion carried: 6-0 (Secretary Aricayos absent)

Rules for testing are also being reviewed. Contacting the Fair Board Liaison immediately via email will be critical and doing things according to the rules will be a priority. This must go better this year.

v. Jr. Fair Board Aaron Helus

Jr. Fair Board is doing great things, and the concert is being wrapped up.

vi. Jr. Livestock Sale Bailey Naibauer

A bid proposal was received from Ringside Live to do Sale. There will be a 5% processing fee. The Committee voted to have the Sale online but not add ons. They do have more questions for the photographer still. Tyler got proposals from

Showtimes for a backdrop, and the estimated time for that is one week to get framework done. There will be some definitive options to bring to the April meeting.

President Cogburn will go to the next Sale meeting. He talked about integrating X2D for where the meat goes after sale since they have a program to serve the needy in the community.

vii. Security, Parking, and Risk Management Levi Loveland

A quote from all Seasons Security was received after requests for proposals were sent in March.  All Seasons only provided a proposal but did not include extra events. The Fair Coordinator was asked to get amendments from All Seasons and then see what Precision might offer. More details for each day and each event are needed. A meeting will be set up with Luke and Craig once quotes come in.

viii. Royalty Aaron Helus Royalty Court is doing great.

ix. Livestock Animal Health Landon Cogburn

Wristbands were discussed at the last meeting as always. They better defined who can help an exhibitor with animals. Repeat offenders of rules will be coming to the Board. Fine will be up to $200 from $100. Policing is hard since the Committee members don’t believe in this. It will be regulated until the shows are over.

IX.  Announcements

a. Next Regular Meeting: Monday, May 4, 2026

X.  Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Board, President Cogburn adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m.                

Cheryl Aragon
Weld County Fair Assistant