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Senate committee sends three nominees for Colorado State Fair Authority board to full Senate
Summary
The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee voted 5–1 to recommend Thomas Downey, Gregory Kolomitz and Jeffrey Mandrich for appointment to the Colorado State Fair Authority Board, after questioning about fair finances and plans to boost revenue and infrastructure at the Pueblo fairgrounds.
The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on April 22 recommended three nominees for the Colorado State Fair Authority Board, voting 5–1 to send the appointments to the full Senate.
Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg introduced the slate and described the authority’s role overseeing the annual Colorado State Fair and the year-round operation of the 102-acre Pueblo fairgrounds. Greenberg said the 13-member board promotes Colorado’s agricultural and industrial heritage and works to ensure the fair’s financial sustainability.
The nominees are Thomas Downey of Denver (representing Ag District 1), Gregory Kolomitz (state at-large) and Jeffrey Mandrich (state at-large, reappointment). Downey, an attorney who has led nonprofit turnarounds, said his board experience at the Children’s Museum of Denver and Denver Film informs his approach to governance and sustainability. Mandrich, a certified public accountant from Pueblo and controller for the Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, told the committee that his governmental accounting experience is relevant to fair finances.
Senators pressed nominees on the fair’s financial solvency and fundraising. Mandrich said the board’s long-term goal is to make the fair self-sustaining and an enterprise fund; he described a strategic plan and an active capital campaign to replace aging grounds infrastructure, increase revenue and reduce reliance on government funding. Downey and other nominees emphasized sponsorships, improved contracts and customer-focused programming as revenue drivers.
The committee’s vice chair moved that the appointments be forwarded to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation. A roll call produced a 5–1 result in favor of forwarding the package; the committee chair announced the motion passed 5 to 1. The nominees will next await a confirmation vote by the full Senate.
Why it matters: The Pueblo fair is a major statewide event and the fairgrounds are used year-round; committee members framed the debate around preserving heritage while making capital investments to boost attendance and revenue. Committee members also noted fundraising capacity is a practical constraint and asked how the board will replace aging facilities to expand non‑fair use of the property.
What’s next: The appointments move to the full Senate for final confirmation.
