Larimer County 4-H Foundation says scholarship fundraiser blocked from ranch campus; commissioners acknowledge impasse

Cindy Buckhart, president of the Larimer County 4‑H Foundation, told the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 5 that the foundation has been prevented from conducting activities on the ranch campus and that the group and county appear to be at an "impasse." Buckhart said the foundation administers memorial poultry scholarships and that, after repeatedly raising the issue, the foundation received an email saying it was no longer permitted to conduct activities on the ranch campus.

Why it matters: Buckhart said the foundation collects funds from multiple sources — the Byrd Treaty, a silent auction and baskets sold at the carnival — and administers scholarships. She told the board the foundation tried to be proactive to avoid disrupting a ranch fundraiser but that the foundation had not received county engagement on the issue and sought the board's help to restore communication so the scholarships can continue.

What was said: Buckhart described prior outreach and two public appearances to explain the memorial poultry scholarships and asked why the foundation was treated differently than a ranch superintendent who later arranged the same fundraiser. She said, "As I recollect, none of you answered my question" about who the foundation needed to address and that the foundation "has been attempting to make progress. However, we've been shut down for noncompliance." Buckhart also said, "Perhaps if [Connor McGrath] had attempted attended our meetings as requested ... he would have learned about this scholarship" and that the foundation's scholarships are mostly memorial funds.

Responses from commissioners: Commissioner Cavallos thanked Buckhart and said he was "grateful" the memorial poultry scholarship was able to move forward. Chair Kristen Stevens said she was "glad we found a way for the poultry scholarship to move forward" and added, "I actually do believe we're an impasse, and I hope there's a way to get beyond that." No formal directive, investigation order, or vote to resolve the dispute was recorded in the meeting.

What the record shows and what remains unclear: Buckhart said county staff member Lori (surname in the record varies) emailed that the foundation was no longer permitted to conduct activities on the ranch campus; the transcript does not contain a county staff response or a county explanation of the basis for that restriction. The transcript records that a ranch superintendent subsequently contacted Buckhart for Connor McGrath's contact information and that the memorial fundraiser proceeded. The commissioners acknowledged the problem but did not record a specific follow-up assignment or timeline to resolve the reported impasse.

Next steps noted in the meeting: Commissioners expressed appreciation for the foundation's work and for Buckhart bringing the matter forward; however, no formal motion, staff assignment, or appeal process was recorded during the meeting itself.

Ending: Buckhart concluded her three-minute public comment and the board moved on to other agenda items. The transcript contains no recorded vote or formal action that changed the county’s stated restriction at the meeting.