Larimer County 4‑H Foundation says Ranch Events Complex concession changes curtailed carnival operations

Cindy Buckhart, president of the Larimer County 4‑H Foundation, told the Board of County Commissioners that changes at the Ranch Events Complex have disrupted the foundation's long‑running carnival operations and event access.

Buckhart said the foundation received an email from Connor McGrath dated March 24 that signaled a reversal of prior practice and, in 2023, the Ranch Events Complex required food operations to use “prepackaged ready to eat food products.” She said that requirement prevented several volunteer 4‑H clubs from operating traditional carnival food concessions that had been used for decades and that foundation leaders were later told the foundation would have to pay facility fees and was “no longer host[ed]” at the Ranch Events Complex.

The foundation’s leader said the change ended a bake sale tradition “after 64 years” and that the foundation’s 2024 carnival was held without its usual concession stand, losing patrons who left the event to find other food. Buckhart said some vendors had cottage food licenses under the Cottage Food Act of 2012 and guidance from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment but that Ranch Events staff or the on‑site operator did not recognize those licenses as acceptable. She also described vendor paperwork and vendor list deadlines that the foundation, staffed entirely by volunteers, had not been given sufficient notice to meet.

Why this matters: Larimer County’s Ranch Events Complex is a county facility operated under county policies and contracts; changes in concession policy and operator practice can affect volunteer fund‑raising for youth programs and the ability of rural volunteer clubs to participate in long‑standing events.

What the commissioners said: Chair Kristen Stevens and other commissioners did not authorize the operational decisions described by Buckhart during the meeting. Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally told the public the issue predates the current board and said the board has “nothing to do with this.” She also said the county has sent letters over the past two to three years outlining procedure and process. Commissioner John Kefalas offered condolences to the two public‑commenters and did not dispute Buckhart’s description.

Records and next steps: Buckhart said she has raised the issue in county meetings and that correspondence exists (an email dated March 24 is referenced). No formal action or motion regarding the Ranch Events Complex or concession policy was taken during the April 8 administrative matters meeting. Commissioners invited further contact via email or phone and noted public comment procedures.

Community context and claims left unresolved at the meeting: Buckhart named Connor McGrath and an OVG/OBG general manager and said the foundation was asked to guarantee a minimum of $100 per hour in concession sales and put a credit card on file; she said the concession manager later declined to open. Buckhart asserted the foundation was at one point told it was “noncompliant with food distribution” and then later told it would again be treated as a 4‑H entity; commissioners did not provide a policy determination on the record.

Ending: Commissioners encouraged Buckhart and other attendees to continue to provide documentation and to contact staff. No votes or departmental directives were recorded during the meeting on this topic.