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Colorado State Fair History

The following history is taken from the 1941 Colorado State Fair Souvenir Program: 

"The Colorado State Fair had its actual beginning many years before most persons who read this program were born - from the first exposition on until this great show almost, "three score and ten" years have passed.

Although the exposition did not receive cash assistance from the state until 1903, the first exposition which preceded the State Fair was held on October 9, 1872, when the Southern Colorado Agricultural and Industrial Association held its first show. The exposition operated with varying degrees of success at the Lake Minnequa grounds and soon after the turn of the century, somewhere around 1901, moved the present 80-acre site. At this time the show was operated by the State Fair Association, a non-profit organization owned by Pueblo people who were anxious to see the exposition survive. These folks, in 1903,

The campaign to secure additional state assistance with a degree of success, at least encouragement, in 1915 when the state legislature voted an appropriation for the State Fair. Governor Carlson went into office on an economy platform, however, lopped a $10,000 appropriation from the State Fair, via he veto method, and the exposition received another set-back.

Real action came in 1917, when the late Senator W. O. Peterson, Senator Frank H. Means - who is now manager of the fair, Perry Dunlap and other fighters succeeded in getting a State Fair Commission created.

Pueblo Folks deeded the 80-acre tract to the State. The fair, in addition to receiving official recognition by the appointment of a commission, received a mill levy of .01 of a mill for operation and maintenance. And that was the real beginning of the State Fair. Its growth and development since that time - especially in recent years - is well known to most persons… For eight years, from 1917 to 1927, the State Fair got along with the mill levy of .01 of a mill. In 1927, however, boosters for the fair were successful in getting the legislature to raise the levy to .03 of a mill for maintenance and operation, where it now stands [1941]… The building program at the State Fair Grounds, started more than decade ago and which is going forward , has transformed that original 80-acre tract of barren prairie land into one of the finest and most durable State Fair plants in the nation.

The present steel and concrete bandstand, which seats 4,000 persons - comfortably - was built in 1930. It replaced an old frame grandstand which had weathered the years and served its purpose well.

First among the "durable" type of buildings that were constructed on the grounds were the 4-H club dormitory buildings, the poultry and cattle barns and the Exposition building. All were built in the 1920 - 1930 era and were constructed of red brick. With the construction of these buildings and the new grandstand came the first indication that the State Fair was looking to the future.

Then, starting about 1934, came the start of the real building program. The mammoth hog and sheep barn which is recognized as one of the finest buildings of its kind in the United States was built in 1934 to 1936. It was constructed of native stone, quarried only a few miles from the State Fair Grounds, and was built along sound construction lines. When this building, 100 feet wide and 365 feet long, was completed, it stood as a symbol of what could be done toward building a State Fair plant that would withstand the years.

Federal Government co-operated in its work program. The state co-operated in supplying materials and Pueblo co-operated in every way it could.

The racing plant, composed of 215 separate stable rooms and a large paddock soon came into existence. This plant was laid out, built of the same native stone and completed stood as still another monument to what could be done. Horsemen from mile around inspected the new plant, termed it one of the finest in the United States. This fine new plant replaced the rickety old frame stables which long ago had served their purpose.

The came more buildings, the 4-H club auditorium, the 4-H club dining hall, the State Fair Office building, the underground stables in the rodeo area, the new stone walls. And finally, when Governor Ralph Carr spoke at the cornerstone ceremony for the new Agricultural building during the last State Fair, he said, "These buildings…they stand as a promise that the State Fair is forever Pueblo's.…" The State Fair of today, with its 80 acres packed to the brim with something doing every minute…its paved streets and concrete sidewalks…its fine buildings…its shady parks…its splendid program and national reputation, stand as a monument to those men who, in 1879, decided that the products of this vast empire should be displayed to the world."