Colorado State Fair

What Colorado State Fair does

The Colorado State Fair Authority is a state-government entity and division of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, operating an annual 11-day late-summer fair (2025: August 22 through September 1; 2026: August 28 through September 7) at its fairgrounds at 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo, Colorado. Founded in 1872, the Fair combines agricultural exhibitions (livestock, horse shows, 4-H/FFA competitive exhibits, Junior Livestock Sale), professional rodeo (PRCA), carnival midway operations, concerts and motorsports, with year-round facility rentals for community and commercial events. Core customers are Colorado families and general fairgoers in the 500,000-1,000,000 annual attendance band, the Colorado agricultural community (4-H, livestock exhibitors, farmers, ranchers), rodeo and Western-heritage enthusiasts, concert attendees, and corporate sponsors including American Furniture Warehouse, Pepsi, PB&T Bank, Big R, Michelob Ultra, and Southwest Motors.

Revenue is generated through five streams: gate admission (Adult $15, Children 5-12 $7, Children 4 and under free), ticketed premium events, carnival operations, corporate sponsorships, and facility rentals. Ticketing runs primarily through etix.com and on-site box office; the Fair earned five first-place and four third-place IAFE awards in 2025 across agricultural, sponsorship innovation, and communications categories, signaling operational best-practice within Division 4 of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions. The 2021 economic impact study reported $55.5M of total economic impact to Pueblo County and $43.7M of total production supporting 506 jobs during the 11-day event, though these figures measure regional economic activity rather than organizational revenue.

The Fair's technology footprint is intentionally thin: a CMS-driven website for event information and schedules, the etix.com digital ticketing infrastructure, and conventional marketing channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, email, press/earned media via The Pueblo Chieftain, 9News, Fox 21, KRDO). No mobile app, proprietary platform, or disclosed AI/ML capability exists. Strategic positioning rests on state-sanctioned monopoly status, 150+ years of brand heritage, deep institutional ties with the agricultural community (4-H, CSU Extension, Fiesta Committee), and recurring multi-year venue naming-rights relationships, rather than on technology differentiation.

Name

Colorado State Fair

Legal name

Colorado State Fair Authority

Website

https://coloradostatefair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1872

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Colorado State Fair Authority, a division of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, operates an annual 11-day fair in Pueblo, Colorado (founded 1872) serving Colorado families, the agricultural community, rodeo and concert attendees with livestock shows, PRCA rodeo, carnival, concerts, and competitive exhibits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Fair and Live Event Entertainment

NAICS

Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Community & Multi-Category Fairs (MPAGAFAO), Equestrian & Rodeo Facilities (MPAKAEAM)

Keywords

• State fair events
• Rodeo competitions
• Agricultural exhibitions
• Carnival operations
• Facility rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Pueblo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Gate Admission: Base admission fees charged for entry to fairgrounds: Adult $15, Children ages 5-12 $7, Children 4 and under free with adult
2. Event Tickets: Ticketed premium events including PRCA Rodeo shows with concert headliners, comedy shows, motorsports (Monster Trucks, Demolition Derby), and special performances. Ticket prices vary by event.
3. Carnival Operations: Carnival rides, games, and food concessions generating revenue during the 11-day fair period. Carnival passes available for purchase including All-Day Carnival Pass and MegaPass options.
4. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorships from brands including American Furniture Warehouse, Michelob Ultra, Pepsi, PB&T Bank, Southwest Motors, Big R, Wagner Rentals, Colorado Lottery, and T Fiber. Sponsors receive visibility through branding, signage, and promotional partnerships.
5. Facility Rentals: Year-round facility rental opportunities for events, conferences, and community gatherings at the fairgrounds. The venue hosts various events beyond the annual fair including the Pueblo Punishers (football team) and facility rentals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Colorado State Fair operates an 11-day annual state fair held in Pueblo, Colorado, featuring PRCA rodeo competitions, live concerts, motorsports, a carnival midway, agricultural and fine arts competitive exhibits, and youth (4-H/FFA) livestock programs. In addition to the annual event, the fairgrounds are rented year-round for community, corporate, and private gatherings, and the organization sells corporate sponsorships and vendor concessions.

Product overview

The Colorado State Fair & Rodeo is a single annual event product, not a software platform. It operates as an 11-day fair (typically late August through Labor Day) combining agricultural exhibitions, PRCA-sanctioned rodeo events, carnival attractions, live concerts, competitive exhibits, and family entertainment. The fairgrounds also offer year-round facility rentals when not hosting the main event. Key venues include the Big R Arena, AFW Amphitheater, and PB&T Bank Pavilion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Colorado State Fair & Rodeo (Annual Fair Event) An 11-day annual state fair held in Pueblo, Colorado, featuring PRCA rodeo competitions, live concerts, motorsports, a carnival midway, agricultural and fine arts competitive exhibits, and youth livestock programs. Targeted at Colorado families, agricultural exhibitors, rodeo and Western heritage enthusiasts, and concert-goers.
• Carnival Carnival midway with thrill rides, classic games, and fair food offerings open daily during the fair period with varying hours. Available passes include All-Day Carnival Pass and MegaPass options. Targeted at families and fair attendees.
• PRCA Rodeo Events Professional rodeo competitions sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) featuring bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and other cowboy sports, often combined with post-rodeo concerts. Targeted at rodeo and Western heritage fans.
• Competitive Exhibits (4-H, Livestock, Beer & Wine, Fine Arts) Competitive exhibition programs including 4-H youth development projects, livestock and small animal shows, the Junior Livestock Sale, beer and wine contests, and fine arts judging. Targeted at farmers, ranchers, 4-H/FFA members, and Colorado artisans.
• Facility Rentals Year-round rental of fairgrounds facilities and venues for events, weddings, corporate gatherings, and community activities, including hosting the Pueblo Punishers football team. Targeted at event organizers, wedding planners, and community groups.
• Gate Admission and Ticketed Premium Events Daily gate admission to the fairgrounds ($15 adult, $7 child ages 5-12, free for children 4 and under) plus ticketed premium events including concerts, comedy shows, monster trucks, and demolition derbies. Targeted at individual consumers and families.

Quantifiable outcome

• $55.5 million economic impact to Pueblo in 2021; $43.7M total production supporting 506 jobs with $14.9M in earnings in Pueblo County during 11-day fair period
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Colorado Department of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2022The Colorado State Fair Authority is a division of the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The Department supports the fair's mission to promote the diversity and bounty of Colorado agriculture. The fair supports the Department's broader goals of strengthening and advancing Colorado agriculture.
• American Furniture Warehouse (AFW)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Furniture Warehouse is a major sponsor and supporter of the Colorado State Fair, with naming rights to the AFW Amphitheater venue. They provide sponsorship support and receive prominent branding and visibility throughout the fairgrounds and promotional materials.
• Michelob UltracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMichelob Ultra serves as a sponsor of the Colorado State Fair, providing alcoholic beverage sponsorship and receiving branded visibility at the event.
• PepsicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPepsi is a key sponsor providing beverage and beverage-related sponsorship, with naming rights to the Pepsi Stage venue at the fairgrounds. Receives prominent brand placement and promotional visibility.
• PB&T BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPB&T Bank (Pueblo Bank & Trust) is a sponsor of the Colorado State Fair with naming rights to the PB&T Bank Pavilion venue, providing financial services sponsorship and community support.
• Southwest MotorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSouthwest Motors is a regional automotive dealership providing sponsorship support and receives branded visibility at the fairgrounds.
• Big RcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBig R is a sponsor with naming rights to the Big R Arena venue, supporting the fair's rodeo and motorsports events. Receives prominent arena naming rights and branding.
• Colorado LotteryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerColorado Lottery sponsors the fair and provides promotional ticket opportunities, including qualifying events for concert ticket redemption (such as Cheap Trick performances).
• Wagner RentalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWagner Rentals provides equipment rental sponsorship support for the Colorado State Fair event operations.
• T FiberminorGTM or Marketing PartnerT Fiber is a telecommunications sponsor providing connectivity support and receiving brand visibility at the fairgrounds.
• etix.comcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributoretix.com is the primary online ticketing platform for the Colorado State Fair, providing digital ticket sales infrastructure for all fair events, concerts, and carnival passes.
• International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAFE is the international trade association representing the fair industry with members from the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The Colorado State Fair competes in IAFE Division 4 and participates in IAFE awards programs and the Institute of Fair Management professional development program.
• 4-H / Colorado State University ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner4-H organizations partner with the Colorado State Fair for youth development programs, educational displays, and competitive exhibits. CSU Extension provides program support and coordination for 4-H activities at the fair.
• Fiesta CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fiesta Committee organizes Fiesta Day celebrations at the Colorado State Fair, marking its 57th year celebrating Hispanic culture in Pueblo and Colorado with traditional Mexican food, Folklorico dancers, mariachi music, and the Celebracion de los Charros event.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Iowa State Fair: Iowa State Fair is a not-for-profit annual 11-day state fair in Des Moines featuring livestock, ag education, grandstand concerts, and carnival. Direct comparable in scale, programming mix, and Midwestern agricultural heritage focus.
• Cheyenne Frontier Days: Cheyenne Frontier Days is Wyoming's iconic 10+ day outdoor rodeo and western heritage celebration featuring PRCA rodeo, concerts, and carnival. Comparable scale and Western/agriculture-anchored programming.
• Nebraska State Fair: Nebraska State Fair is an annual multi-day state fair in Grand Island, NE with livestock shows, 4-H/FFA programs, concerts, carnival, and rodeo events. Direct comparable state-fair operator with similar Midwestern/agriculture orientation.
• Kansas State Fair: Kansas State Fair is an annual 10-day state fair in Hutchinson, KS featuring agriculture, livestock, rodeo, carnival, and grandstand entertainment. Direct comparable on scale, duration, and agricultural programming.
• Oklahoma State Fair: Oklahoma State Fair is an annual state fair hosted at the Oklahoma City fairgrounds featuring livestock, concerts, carnival, and competitive exhibits. Direct comparable regional state-fair operator with similar programming mix.
• National Western Stock Show: National Western Stock Show is a 16-day annual livestock show and rodeo held in Denver, CO. Direct regional peer combining agricultural competitions, PRCA rodeo, and family entertainment within the same Colorado market region.
• State Fair of Texas: State Fair of Texas operates the largest annual state fair in the U.S. at Fair Park in Dallas, featuring agricultural exhibitions, concerts, carnival, livestock shows, and rodeo. Same public-mission fair model with multi-million attendance.
• New Mexico State Fair: New Mexico State Fair is an annual 10-day state fair operated by a state entity in Albuquerque featuring livestock, PRCA rodeo, concerts, and competitive exhibits with similar Hispanic cultural programming (e.g., Fiestas). Directly comparable state-government fair model.

Broad incumbents

• Calgary Stampede: Calgary Stampede is the world's largest outdoor rodeo and western festival, a 10-day annual event in Calgary, Alberta featuring PRCA-equivalent rodeo, concerts, agricultural competitions, and carnival. Significantly larger scale but a key global comparable for the rodeo/state-fair model.
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world's largest livestock exhibition and PRCA rodeo with a year-round NRG Park presence. Operates as a much larger non-profit with broader entertainment programming; comparable sector but materially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/colostatefair
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ColoradoStateFair
• Facebookfacebook.com/colostatefair
• Instagraminstagram.com/colostatefair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-state-fair

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado State Fair