Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Larimer County 4‑H Foundation says ranch staff canceled scholarship awards; commissioners say more information needed
Summary
Cindy Burkhart of the Larimer County 4‑H Foundation told the County Commissioners the foundation’s June 28 scholarship ceremony was canceled by ranch staff; commissioners said staff previously raised concerns and that documentation of violations was requested but not yet provided.
Cindy Burkhart, representing the Larimer County 4‑H Foundation, told the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners on May 27 that ranch staff had canceled the foundation’s awards ceremony scheduled for June 28 and that the foundation had not received written documentation of alleged policy violations.
Why it matters: The foundation said it is awarding 24 youths $1,000 scholarships raised through the 4‑H carnival and that 16 of those awards are memorial scholarships for which families were invited to the ceremony. The foundation says cancelling the county-hosted event deprived participants of a traditional awards presentation at a county facility.
Burkhart said the foundation learned “last Tuesday” that the event had been canceled by ranch staff and said the foundation “has never, to my knowledge, ever received a written letter of failing to comply with the regulations.” She described several operational changes the organization adopted after being told to stop a bake sale and to distribute prepackaged food, and said the foundation had asked ranch staff three times for specific examples of alleged policy violations but had not received documentation.
Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally, who said she has attended the foundation’s award ceremonies, told Burkhart the public comment omitted some information staff had shared. “I do know there is some missing information from Ms. Burkhart’s public comment,” Shattuck McNally said, and added that prior branch leadership also provided details about violations that had been shared with the foundation.
No formal action was taken by the board during public comment. Chair Kristen Stevens closed public comment and moved on to the consent agenda after asking commissioners whether they had additional remarks.
Context and next steps: Burkhart said the foundation received a February 1 letter after meeting with a ranch staff member identified in the comment as Mr. McGrath. The foundation asserts Mr. McGrath had been in his position “for 3 months” when that letter was issued and has since proposed charging the foundation to use ranch facilities. Shattuck McNally said conversations are ongoing among staff, extension, and the foundation. The transcript does not show any county vote, directive to staff, or written response issued at the meeting; commissioners asked for clarity and noted staff had raised concerns previously.
