A Fair Board representative told Jefferson County commissioners the Mud Lake fairgrounds had been approached by a private individual interested in offering short-term stays—described as an Airbnb-style experience—at the site’s sheep camps when the fairgrounds are not in use. The proposer reportedly offered to do maintenance on on-site bathrooms and to share 10% of profits with the county.

Carl Anderson, Fair Board chairman, described the concept and asked commissioners for initial guidance. Commissioners expressed concern about liability, zoning and whether the county wants commercial enterprises operating on public fairground property. “I’m worried about the liability issue because, you know, if something happens, then they're gonna go after the county,” one commissioner said. Another observed that the proposal “sounds more like an RV park.”

Commissioners suggested getting more details from the proposer, researching whether fairground structures and sheep camps are permissible under county campground or Airbnb rules, and consulting parks and recreation staff for operational and maintenance implications. The board did not approve the idea and instead asked fair board and parks staff to explore particulars and report back.

Why it matters: turning county-owned fairground structures into short-term commercial lodging could create revenue but also raises questions about insurance, zoning, required facilities (restrooms, parking), and expectations about commercial use of public property.