The Montezuma County Fairgrounds saw one of its busiest years on record in 2025, hosting dozens of events and drawing an estimated 76,685 attendees. The fairgrounds generated more than $166,600 in revenue, according to a report from fairgrounds manager Justin McGuire.
“It’s probably the top two most‑attended as far as through a year for different events and stuff,” McGuire said during a department update Monday to Montezuma County commissioners.
“As far as our attendance goes, that is our best guess because there’s no way for us to be exact,” he added, noting that 31 events were held last year.
Expenses for the facility totaled roughly $306,000.
The report provides a yearly snapshot of attendance, events and finances at the county‑run facility, which hosts rodeos, roping competitions, agricultural programs and community events such as car races and large shows and expos.
McGuire noted some numbers fell when the fairgrounds closed temporarily as a base for wildfire‑fighting activity last summer and because nice weather often leads groups to use outdoor facilities instead.
He provided an overview of recent activity and highlighted several events planned for the busy months ahead.
The usual gun show is evolving, McGuire said. He explained the change is related to increasing state regulations affecting gun shows, which have made it more difficult for organizers to continue hosting the event in its previous format.
“Instead of it being a Cortez Gun Show this year, we’re actually going to be having a Cortez Outdoor Expo,” McGuire said.
Upcoming calendar: Next activities at the county fairgrounds
April 10-11: Four Corners Home and Garden Show.
April 17-19: Cortez Outdoor Expo.
April 24-25: Car races season opener, with more at each month’s end.
May 9-12: 12 Hours of Mesa Verde mountain bike race..
May 13: Colorado Department of Transportation rodeo
May 30: More car races.
June 5-7: Livestock Jackpot & Weaver Clinic.
June 11-13: Ute Mountain Ute PRCA Rodeo.
June 10-14: Frazier Carnival.
Source: Montezuma County Fairgrounds
Commissioner Jim Candelaria suggested McGuire begin looking into whether fees should be raised. Candelaria said this year marks the county’s previously approved plan to re‑evaluate the fee schedule every three years.
“Let’s evaluate it to see if we need to keep up with the numbers. Looking at your numbers, we’re now at a breakeven point, which is all we want to do,” Candelaria said.
Revenue from 2025 rose from roughly $120,000 the previous year, McGuire said. This calculation does not include funds in a conservation trust. Some of the increase came from reimbursements when the facility was used during wildfire response, such as from organizations including the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Rocky Mountain Incident Command Team.
In recent months, expenses were about $33,640 compared to approximately $55,450 in revenue.
McGuire also updated commissioners on construction underway at the fairgrounds to improve ADA accessibility in the parking lot.
Soil compaction tests met project specifications, and crews were finishing demolition work before installing a culvert and pouring new concrete next week.
McGuire said the goal is to have ADA‑accessible parking spaces and sidewalks usable before the Four Corners Home and Garden Show in April, with final asphalt work expected later between events.
awatson@the‑journal.com
