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Equestrian groups press Boulder County to restore winter indoor arena access at Fairgrounds
Summary
County fairgrounds staff said winter public riding sessions were canceled after a budget-equity review; equestrian users and local agricultural representatives asked commissioners to reconsider and offered volunteer, fee and outreach options.
Boulder County fairgrounds staff told the Board of County Commissioners on May 1 that a policy change last year ended winter public indoor horse-riding sessions after a budget-equity review, and multiple equestrian users asked the commissioners to reinstate some level of public access.
Joel LaFollette of the Boulder County Fairgrounds told the board the county reviewed fairgrounds operations "through an equity lens" and concluded it lacked the capacity to continue all public winter sessions; he said the change did not affect 4-H activities or regular program events. "We made a decision that the public sessions should end," LaFollette said while explaining budget and staffing reasons for the change.
Several speakers representing the county's equine community and agricultural stakeholders urged compromise. Carmen Porter, a member of the Boulder County Horse Association, said the indoor arena was designed for equestrian use and that its closure "excludes the very users the facility was designed for" and disproportionately affects lower-income horse owners. Carson Sander, who identified himself as a farrier and horse trainer, said the indoor arena provides "safe, dry, quality footing" during winter and urged county staff to consider volunteer help or adjusted fee structures. Howard Greenstein, calling himself an Adams County resident who uses Boulder facilities, suggested limited winter openings with higher fees and volunteer maintenance.
Speakers also noted the fairgrounds master plan has been placed on hold while options are reviewed; one agricultural representative asked the board to keep vacancy rates low and continue paid leasing that offsets taxpayer costs while the county evaluates future uses. Fairgrounds staff told the commissioners that routine 4-H activities and other events continue and are not affected by the cancellation of winter public rides.
A commissioner offered to set up follow-up conversations with fairgrounds leaders and staff and said budget discussions earlier in the week had reopened the topic for more detailed review. No formal reversal or directive to reinstate public winter sessions was made at the meeting.
This article summarizes public comments and staff remarks about the Fairgrounds policy change during the May 1, 2025 Boulder County Board of County Commissioners public comment session.
