To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Gini Pingenot, Director, Open Spaces
Prepared By:
prepared
Gini Pingenot, Director, Open Spaces; Matt Bixenman, Fairground Site Manager, Open Spaces
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presenter
Presenter: Matt Bixenman, Fairground Site Manager, Open Spaces
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Subject:
title
1:15 PM *2026 Annual County Fair Plan
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
Open Spaces Fairgrounds staff will present recommendations for key operational changes to the 2026 Fair and request Board approval to implement staff recommended changes.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Good Governance - Understand and respond to community needs, interests, and values.
Background and Discussion: The Arapahoe County Fair attracts over 25,000 visitors around the region each year. The event showcases the County's agricultural and Western heritage through 4-H programming, traditional farming and educational activities, and entertainment for the whole family. Gate entry tickets include event parking, unlimited carnival rides, Colorado Pro Rodeo Association sanctioned rodeos, firework displays (weather and fire restrictions permitting), live entertainment, National Sled Pullers Association truck & tractor pulls, Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, mutton bustin', public competitions, petting farm, 4-H livestock shows, Kids Corral and more.
The County Fair is financially supported through annual Fair operations and supplemented, when necessary, by the Fairgrounds Event Center Revenue Net Income fund. Open Spaces Sales and Use Tax collections are not allowed to support the Fair per the Open Space Resolution. The only Non- Sales and Use Tax Revenue available to help the Fair is the Fairgrounds Event Center rental revenue. In 2025, there was a transfer of $101,656 from the Fairgrounds Event Center Rental Revenue fund to cover the anticipated financial losses for that year's Fair. The estimated ending Fair Fund Balance for 2025 is $49,236. This balance will act as the ...
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