Cindy Buckhart, president of the Larimer County 4‑H Foundation, told the board of county commissioners on Sept. 16 that the foundation has supported youth programs in the county for decades and said she was surprised by discussions about removing the foundation’s access to ranch facilities. “There should be no discussion in removing such a fine organization as the Larimer County 4 H Foundation from the use of the facilities,” Buckhart said during public comment.

Buckhart said the foundation has operated the annual carnival and other fundraisers for more than 65 years and that she could not find written documentation of any noncompliance in decades of events. “In 65 years of carnivals, there's never been any written documentation of noncompliance,” she said.

Commissioners acknowledged the foundation’s long history but said county staff had provided documentation and notification of noncompliance to the foundation. Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally said, “There was documentation and notification of of noncompliance and violations,” and that staff had attempted outreach; she added that some county staff invited by the foundation had not attended requested meetings.

Why it matters: The Larimer County 4‑H Foundation supports more than 1,000 youth across the county through events and fundraising; losing access to the ranch facilities could affect those programs. At the meeting commissioners emphasized continued support for 4‑H while noting that facility access must comply with county requirements.

Next steps and context: Commissioners said the foundation and county staff have had ongoing conversations. Buckhart said the foundation had invited Connor McGrath to meetings twice without his attendance; she also said another county official, Lloyd Kadridge, attended and told the foundation there would be no discussion. The board did not vote or take formal action on facility access at the Sept. 16 meeting.

The meeting record shows commissioners offered to continue discussions with the foundation and to look for a path forward; no timeline for resolution was stated.