Fairgrounds – Garfield County, Colorado
Garfield County moved to a new web address in March. Find us then at garfieldcountyco.gov. Domains like this are more trusted, because only official governments can use them.
Fairgrounds supports western heritage, reduces some stall fees
The welcoming sign of the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, Colorado.
Garfield County continues to prioritize and support our western heritage and agricultural businesses on the Western Slope by lessening some of the costs of rodeo team practices and business incubation in and around Rifle. Fees waived for rodeo events, practice The Board of County Commissioners waived facility fees for the 40-member Northwest High School Rodeo Club for its use of the indoor arena during gymkhana events and roping and riding practice. The cost for the group’s nine roping and riding sessions was $540, and an additional $900 for two gymkhana events, which are scheduled in February and March. “This allows
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Ice rink open at the Garfield County Fairgrounds
The Colorado Extreme Hockey ice rink at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle.
The new Colorado Extreme Hockey ice rink is now open at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle. The rink opened on Jan. 8, at the north end of the outdoor arena, and operations are underway. “They have made ice and are skating in Rifle,” said Garfield County Deputy Manager Bentley Henderson to the Board of County Commissioners. “I saw a photo of a whole bunch of kids skating around and that program is moving forward. It’s very exciting.” Garfield County Fairgrounds and Events Manager Chris Floyd noted that the outdoor arena isn’t utilized in winter, providing Colorado Extreme an ideal
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Firearm discharged at fairgrounds private party
Suspect Eddy Escobar Lopez.
On September 24, 2023, at approximately 9:22 p.m., there was an altercation between several males at a quinceanera at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Another male, unknown to the ones involved in the altercation, intervened, produced a firearm, and discharged a firearm. No one was injured. The suspect then fled the fairgrounds. Witnesses, including an off-duty Rifle Police Department detective, observed the suspect flee into a wooded area near Rifle Creek. Rifle PD press release
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Chris Janson headlining Garfield County Fair and Rodeo
Country music star Chris Janson is headlining the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo.
One of country music’s brightest stars has his sights set on the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle. Chris Janson is headlining the 85th annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo concert on Friday, July 28, and the doors open at 5 p.m. Kicking off the show is Nashville country music artist Chase Wright. A master-class songwriter, entertainer, musician, vocalist, and member of the Grand Old Opry, Rolling Stone has called Janson “a live legacy in the making.” His multi-platinum hit “Buy Me a Boat” sailed to No. 1 on the iTunes chart and has sold more than 3 million downloads. His
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Garfield County Fair and Rodeo saddles up for Big & Rich
Saddle up your horses because the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo is going big in 2022. Country music sensation Big & Rich is headlining this year’s annual concert on Aug. 5, in what is sure to be a wild night filled with dancing, singing, and boot-stomping. Singer-songwriter Jennifer Belle is kicking off the fun at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, Colo. Tickets went on sale on www.garfieldcountyfair.com on April 15, at 8 a.m., and are sure to sell out fast. Known as America’s “Technicolor Cowboys,” Big Kenny Alphin and John Rich (Big & Rich) first took the country music
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Floyd named new fairgrounds and events manager
New Garfield County Fair and Events Manager Chris Floyd in the grandstands at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle.
Chris Floyd has taken the reins as the new Garfield County fairgrounds and events manager, following 15 years of experience working for state parks departments in Georgia, Texas, and Wyoming on historic sites, outdoor recreation, and facilities management. Floyd managed the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Office and was a parks district manager and superintendent there since 2016. He’s experienced with large events, including the Fort Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous, which welcomes between 25,000 and 30,000 people over Labor Day weekend annually. He said he cherishes the interactions with attendees and has always felt a strong dedication to public service. “Public service
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4-H youth development professional sought
Colorado State University Extension and Garfield County are seeking a youth development professional with the experience and skills to lead a diverse and inclusive youth development program. The person will have a proven track record of developing and managing volunteers, building program capacity, creating innovative programming opportunities, and fostering both internal and external collaboration and teamwork. For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than October 22, 2020.
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New Garfield County Education Center planned
mock-up of new Garfield County Education Center

Education center coming to Rifle
Construction and renovation on the new 12,000-square-foot Garfield County Education Center begins this spring on Railroad Avenue in Rifle. The work is designed to create a two-story shop and expo space with room for the community to study woodworking, metalsmithing, cooking, gardening, quilting, sewing, robotics and much more.

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Evans named new Garfield County fair and events coordinator
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Garfield County has named Cassidy Evans its new fair and events coordinator, which oversees the annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo. The New Mexico native brings a wealth of experience, southwestern roots and an upbringing in 4-H to the role. Evans was most recently director of catering and conference services at Mountain Shadows Resort in Scottsdale, AZ. Evans grew up in Truth or Consequences, NM, and then moved to Las Cruces, before settling in a small town in rural western New Mexico. “We moved out to a ranch in a town called Datil, NM, which was
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Midland is special guest at Garfield County Fair and Rodeo concert
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Grammy-nominated country artist Midland brings its electrifying live show to Rifle for the 80th annual Garfield County Fair and Rodeo. Midland will be the special guest at the fair’s concert on Friday, August 3, at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Tickets go on sale June 1, and the headlining act will be announced in two weeks. Midland (singer Mark Wystrach, guitarist Cameron Duddy, and bassist Jess Carson) first came together at Duddy’s wedding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where the three members ended up jamming on stage at the rehearsal dinner. “It was this serendipitous chain of events,”
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New members approved for the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo Board
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – There’s quite a bit of interest in the county fair these days. Interest in serving on the Garfield County Fair & Rodeo Board is so high that the board recently expanded to include nine members, the maximum called for by its current bylaws. The fair board and county staff work diligently all year long planning and executing the Garfield County Fair, slated for August 4-10, 2014. The current fair board recommended four new members to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) March 17. The commissioners approved John “Brock” Hedberg, Kelly Porter, Rick Shaffer, and Doug Teter.
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Enhanced fairgrounds facilities complete for 75th Anniversary Garfield County Fair and Rodeo
GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – The dust has settled under a bright and shiny new parking lot surrounding the Garfield County Fairgrounds outdoor arena. While decades of horse, bull and bronc riders have pounded the grounds, preparing for the best times in the show arena, the dust rising into the sky from well-lit arenas will only be from grandstand events, not the parking lot. Now the trucks, campers and well-stocked trailers arriving for the 75th Anniversary Garfield County Fair will park on brand new asphalt. Frontier Paving employees and sub-contractors spent the summer managing dirt work and paving, as well as
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Fairgrounds news
UPDATE: June 3, 2011 Garfield County Fairgrounds plans to reopen to incoming horses and equine activities on Monday, June 6, 2011. Cases of Equine Herpesvirus may not be continuing to increase in number, so officials are cautiously beginning to reopen facilities around the state. Garfield County will continue to monitor the situation and make further decisions as warranted. Department of Agriculture page on equine herpesvirus UPDATE: May 31, 2011 The Garfield County Fairgrounds remain closed to incoming horses while officials track the spread of the Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1). The Western Slope Reigning Horse Association has voluntarily postponed its June 10-12
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2011 Fair Royalty Contest
The deadline to apply is October 27. Following is the agenda for the October 30 contest: Contest Schedule (Subject to change) Garfield County Fairgrounds October 30, 2010 10 am – Meet at the North Hall* 10:15 am – Personal interviews & written test Noon – Speech and impromptu questions 2 pm – Break for lunch 3 pm – Groom & saddle for horsemanship when asked by judges 4 pm – Horsemanship Pattern Hot Lap Flag Carrying 5:30 pm Awards * Contestants will be judged starting at 10 am. At this time, parents and other adults are spectators only, and contestants
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