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Larimer County 4‑H Foundation urges access to fairgrounds after county cites "noncompliance"
Summary
Cindy Buckhart, president of the Larimer County 4‑H Foundation, told the Board of County Commissioners that the foundation has been barred from using The Ranch fairgrounds and has not received a written explanation of the county’s claim of “noncompliance.”
Cindy Buckhart, president of the Larimer County 4‑H Foundation, told the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners during the public‑comment period that the foundation that helped win local tax measures to build The Ranch is now barred from using the fairgrounds and has not been given a written explanation of the county’s claim of “noncompliance.”
Buckhart said the foundation has asked for the county to put the noncompliance on official letterhead so the foundation can share it with the public, and she warned the restriction could prevent a long‑running poultry department silent auction — an annual fundraiser that supports two scholarships in memory of three young 4‑H participants.
The foundation’s poultry auction, Buckhart said, “is where our past and our future meet,” and she urged the commissioners to allow use of the facility for the scholarship fundraiser.
Commissioner Jody Shattuck McNally said the county did send an “official” letter to the foundation listing the noncompliance items and that she wanted to correct public impressions that no documentation exists. Shattuck McNally also expressed support for the fair and the county’s long history of backing 4‑H youth programming.
Commissioner John Kefalas said staff was preparing a response to Buckhart’s most recent email and that he hoped county leaders and the foundation “can further cooperatively work together.” Chair Kristen Stevens said she is committed to 4‑H and expressed regret that the matter had become an impasse, adding she hoped the parties could resolve it before the fair.
No formal action was taken during the meeting. Commissioners indicated staff would provide a written response to the foundation’s recent correspondence.
Clarifying details from the public comment: Buckhart said the poultry auction supports two scholarships established by the poultry department; the foundation seeks a written letter on county letterhead spelling out the alleged noncompliance; the foundation was established in 1953 and was involved in promoting the tax initiatives to build The Ranch.
