Fairgrounds supports western heritage, reduces some stall fees – Garfield County, Colorado
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The welcoming sign of the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle, Colorado.

Garfield County Fairgrounds continues to support our western heritage, reduces some stall fees

County waives fees for high school rodeo club, ag business incubator

PRESS RELEASE
January 14, 2026

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 the junior high and high school kids of the county that complete within the Colorado State Rodeo Association the ability to practice as a team and hone their skills without the weight of additional fees,” said Garfield County Fairgrounds Administrative Assistant Kelsy Velazquez. “It also provides a safe, warm, and dry space for them.”

The $150 fee for a scheduled free agricultural economic impact presentation and chili dinner on January 29 in the South Hall was also waived for the AgriWest Business Incubator Center (BIC).
The county has also modified its fairground stall rental fees to include a new category for a seasonal secondary unit for storing feed and supplies/tack at a lesser rate of $75 per month with a deposit of $100 to increase utilization from September through May. Regular stall rentals remain at $100 a month with a $200 deposit.

The county has budgeted up to $40,000 in 2026 for fee waivers to help support western heritage events, which are an important part of Garfield County’s culture. The fee waivers and new stall fees were approved unanimously, 3-0.

“The fairgrounds receives requests from tenants who want to rent a second stall for feed and supplies, but they opt out because of the flat rental rate,” explained Garfield County Facilities Director Dave Renninger.

“I’m 100 percent behind this,” added Commissioner Perry Will in his support.