March 3, 2025 Minutes

Weld County Fair Board Minutes

March 3, 2025

The Meeting was called to order by President Aaron Helus at 6:00 p.m.

Members Present: Those present were President Aaron Helus, Vice President Landon Cogburn, Secretary Isaia Aricayos, Treasurer Courtney Smith, and Board Member Tom Bledsoe.

Ex-Officio/Staff Present: Mikayla Gabel, Kim Easwood, Larry Hooker and Cheryl Aragon

Special Guests: Committee Member Katrina Loveland

Agenda: No Working Budget to report

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda without financials by Tom Bledsoe, second by Courtney Smith; additions made to agenda, motion passed.

Special Guests/Requests:

  1. Commissioner Ross Report -- unable to attend this evening due to a schedule conflict. 
  2. Royalty Update -- Attendant Dakota Bernard --a lot of activities in February, fundraiser planned in March at Texas Roadhouse.

Old Business:

  1. Horse Show Policy -- new policy for events that are considered sanctioned events or not; new administration requirements; April 2, additional information will be available; policy came from APHIS under CO Dept of Ag -- communication through state specialist with CSU. 
  2. Fair Book Changes -- various verbiage and class changes through Fair Book, MOTION to approve changes as submitted by Tom Bledsoe, second by Courtney Smith; motion passed.
  3. Fair Coordinator Update --met with other coordinators to discuss various topics, met with City and County regarding Island Grove, need to provide information to City Council and all members to support needs at Island Grove, will plan to meet again as a board to discuss a plan and vision for location, vendor applications coming in, camper app goes live in a couple weeks.

New Business:

  1. Livestreaming Livestock Shows -- received a couple of estimates, one for $4,250 -- sheep, cattle, goat, swine; second estimate $2,000 but very limited in capabilities; MOTION to approve and accept live streaming bid from Ringside Live by Tom Bledsoe of $4,250, second by Landon Cogburn; Amendment to motion to allow cost beyond sponsorship id any to come from advertising budget by Tom Bledsoe, second by Landon Cogburn; motion and amendment passed. Committee received a verbal sponsorship of $3,000 so far and working on securing the rest. 
  2. E-ID tag update -- Larry Hooker -- following up with exhibitors to correct and make sure tags and animals are compliant. 
  3. Committee Reports (Board representation assignments drawn from hat annually)
  • Premier Exhibitor – Aaron Helus –nothing to report at this time. 
  • Carcass Contest – Levi Loveland –nothing to report at this time. 
  • All Around Showmanship – Isaia Aricayos – changes to Fair Book submited and approved this evening. 
  • Drug Testing – Courtney Smith – still pending review of small animal procedures, working with lab, samples need to be dried, will need area for champions and specific paper, county legal review needed after procedures are approved, deadline for procedure approval will be March 6.
  • Education -- Fair Office -- nothing to report at this time.
  • Jr. Livestock Sale – Landon Cogburn – backdrop still being worked on; online 'add ons' still need to be discussed.
  • Security, Parking, and Risk Management – Landon Cogburn – work session set up for April 5, the whole board is invited to help organize supplies and storage items. 
  • Royalty – Tom Bledsoe – discussion from a royalty parent regarding current state of Royalty committee, Aaron and Tom will plan to attend the next meeting to have a discussion with the group. 
  • Livestock Animal Health – Bailey Naibauer – nothing to report at this time. 

Announcements/ General Discussion:

  1. Next Meeting Monday, April 7, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m.
  2. April 5, 9:00 AM security work session
  3. March 26, 6:30 PM work session

Meeting adjourned by Aaron Helus at 7:02 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Isaia K Aricayos
Weld County Fair Board Secretary

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