January 5, 2026 Minutes

Weld County Fair Board Minutes

January 5, 2026

Meeting called to order by President Landon Cogburn at 6:00 PM

MEMBERS PRESENT: Aaron Helus, Tom Bledsoe, Bailey Naibauer, Levi Loveland, Fred Kayser, Landon Cogburn and Isaia Aricayos

EX-OFFICIO/STAFF PRESENT: Cheryl Aragon and Larry Hooker SPECIAL GUESTS:

Additions/Changes to agenda: MOTION to approve consent agenda by Tom Bledsoe, second by Aaron Helus; motion passed.

SPECIAL GUESTS/REQUESTS:

1) Commissioner Lynette Peppler – shared her background in small business and agriculture and support of the Fair
2) Royalty Update – Attendant Dakota Bernard – busy this month and last month, look ahead to helping with events scheduled
3)  Junior Fair Board – meetings going well and should have drafts to submit to board for review

OLD BUSINESS:

1) 2026 WCF Budget – submitted for review and approval, MOTION by Levi Loveland to accept budget as submitted, seconded by Tom Bledsoe; motion passed.
2) Fair Staff Update – Courtney Smith resignation received in September 2025, Levi Loveland elected as board treasurer replacing Courtney in October 2025 and need to be added to bank account as a signor, MOTION by Tom Bledsoe to make changes accordingly, second by Aaron Helus; motion passed.
3) Ear Tag Follow Up for Feb Cattle Check In – waiting for ear tags to come in, will plan for upcoming Cattle ID Day

NEW BUSINESS:

1) 2026 WCF Vendor Packet – updates made, changes highlighted for board review – MOTION by Tom Bledsoe to approve vendor packet as submitted, seconded by Bailey Neibauer; motion passed.
2) 2026 WCF Photographer – four applications received with recommendations, sale committee will need a bid as well, MOTION by Tom Bledsoe to accept Allison 
Hocker application, seconded by Aaron Helus; motion passed with amendment to accept Allison’s sponsorship bid of $7500 option as submitted.
3) 2026 Fair Schedule and Special Events – tractor pull scheduling, looking ahead at 7/17/26 as a possibility, will need to check with NSPA, movie in park and free entertainment, work session 5:30 PM 1/26/26 for event planning
4) Livestreaming for 2026 Fair shows – want bid for adding horse and dairy shows, will need additional screens for viewing
5) Committee Reports:
a.  Premier Exhibitor (Tom Bledsoe) – looking for sponsors, committee approved Kyle Cox as member, MOTION by Levi Loveland to accept committee recommendation, seconded by Tom Bledsoe; motion passed.
b.  Carcass Contest (Isaia Aricayos) – Larry followed up with CSU on lamb data and coverage for error, waiting to hear back; he has given an update to the
person who brought up the issue.
c. All Around Showmanship (Tom Bledsoe) – Tom will follow up with Debbie
d. Drug Testing (Landon Cogburn) – will follow up on a few things and schedule a meeting
e. Junior Fair Board (Aaron Helus) – nothing additional to report
f.  Junior Livestock Sale (Bailey Neibauer) – nothing to report at this time
g. Security, Parking and Risk Mgmt (Levi Loveland) – nothing to report at this time
h. Royalty (Aaron Helus) – chaperon form created due to limitations on the leader’s availability at events, will need review by legal
i.  Livestock Animal Health (Landon Cogburn) – nomination forms for livestock do not have line for parent/guardian signature, will check into species and adding it to the form, retinal scan and wrist band review will be forthcoming, social media post of judge selections needed as well.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/GENERAL DISCUSSION:

1) Next Meeting Monday, Feb 2 @ 6 PM at County Fair Extension Office
2) Board work session Monday, Jan 26 @ 5:30 PM location pending
Meeting adjourned 6:58 PM Respectfully Submitted,

Isaia K Aricayos Weld County Fair Board Secretary