May 5, 2025 Minutes

Weld County Fair Board Minutes

May 5, 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 and Bailey Naibauer.

Ex-Officio/Staff Present: Mikayla Gabel, Larry Hooker, and Kim Eastwood

Special Guests: Kamryn Smith

Agenda: add items for New Business

Motion to approve agenda as amended by Landon Cogburn, second by Tom Bledsoe, motion passed.

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda by Tom Bledsoe, second by Bailey Naibauer; additions made to agenda, motion passed.

Special Guests/Requests:

  1. Commissioner Ross Report -- nothing to report currently. 
  2. Royalty Update -- Submitted in writing -- keeping busy with fundraising and events.
  3. Kamryn Smith -- presentation of fun ideas she has for kids to do at fair, including crafts, tours, photo stands and contests, the board will consider how 4H staff could implement some or any of the ideas brought forth. 

Old Business:

  1. Jr. Fair Board -- will schedule a work session to discuss details. 
  2. Working Budget -- a few things to note on budgeted line items, it appears duplicate check recorded for buckle purchase, but first check was lost and stop paid, then reissued. 
  3. Fair Coordinator Update -- new livestock panels will arrive later in May, fair book was sent to the printers, had meeting with Oxy as a sponsor and educated them more on Fair, new Extension director hired Kali Benson from Elbert County, starts in June, will help Elbert County as interim director until they find a replacement. 

New Business:

  1. Fair Vendors -- recommend approval of all applications with the exception of Country Lemonade who still needs to work with the City for admittance to property, MOTION by Tom Bledsoe, second by Bailey Naibauer; motion passed.
  2. Horse updates -- new regulations and rules mentioned at the last meeting will be delayed until February 2026 at this time; horse tested positive in Weld County for EIA -- terminal illness; 4H horses are required to be Coggins tested (annual)
  3. Animal Housing -- there have been word that animals are being housed out of state; recommendation to advise all interested parties of process to file formal protest to Fair Board as stated in Fair Book. 
  4. Mentorship Program -- Courtney Smith -- has an idea to have Senior exhibitors' mentor junior exhibitors for various projects; discussion included having Superintendents help direct families among other ideas there may be an aspect where Jr. Fair Board could help with a type of mentorship program. 
  5. Committee Reports (Board representation assignments drawn from hat annually)
  • Premier Exhibitor – Aaron Helus – nothing new to report. 
  • Carcass Contest – Levi Loveland – working on obtaining sponsorship money currently. 
  • All Around Showmanship – Isaia Aricayos – nothing new to report. 
  • Drug Testing – Courtney Smith – nothing new to report.
  • Education -- Fair Office -- Cam's Academy cost will remain at $300, we will use them again, they will be here Saturday and Sunday. 
  • Jr. Livestock Sale – Landon Cogburn – planning going well, looking to purchase storage unit for new backdrop, backdrop will be purchases likely next year, finalizing add-on forms, hog sale photos will be moved earlier this year, photographer has been approved, the committee will review buyer levels for next year; there is room at fair ground for storage unit. 
  • Security, Parking, and Risk Management – Landon Cogburn – finalizing contract with security firm at this time, All Seasons, they just contracted with Stampede, 2 camper spots remain open. 
  • Royalty – Tom Bledsoe – nothing new to report, next meeting is 5/13 in the Buckle Club.
  • Livestock Animal Health – Bailey Naibauer – poultry show will submit photos just in case of virtual show at the time of fair registration, info board displays will continue, 6/2-7/7 photos and videos to be submitted; wristbands have been ordered Red and Blue; COOL forms for individual species passed committee; MOTION by Tom Bledsoe, second by Bailey Naibauer to accept committee recommendation; motion passed. 

Announcements/ General Discussion:

  1. Next Meeting Monday, June 2, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned by Aaron Helus at 7:14 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Isaia K Aricayos
Weld County Fair Board Secretary

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