Ouray County Fairgrounds & Event Center

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Ridgway, CO
Ouray County Fairgrounds & Event Center

Situated against a spectacular mountain backdrop, the Ouray County Fairgrounds and Events Center offe Social Media User Rules for Ouray County Sites:
i. ii. iii.

We appreciate your interest in Ouray County government. We aim to be as transparent as possible and we encourage engagement with our community. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Ouray County does not necessarily endorse, support, sanction, encourage, verify, or agree with third party comments, messages, p

osts, opinions, advertisements, videos, promoted content, external hyperlinks, linked websites (or the information, products or services contained therein), statements, and commercial products, processes or services posted on any social media site. Ouray County social media sites, while such sites are publicly maintained and operated for responsive/interactive posting, serve as a limited public forum and all content published is subject to preservation and disclosure in accordance with the Colorado Open Records Act and other applicable law. iv. Ouray County appreciates comments and posts from viewers, whether you agree with our post or not. v. We are committed to responding as quickly as we can to posts, comments and questions - and we aim to clarify any details or specifics as best as we can. Please be advised though, that our social media page is not monitored 24/7 and responses will not be immediate. If there is an emergency, contact 911. vi. We understand that there will be times that you don't agree with what we have posted, and you have a right to express your disagreement. However, user generated posts may be rejected or removed (and repeat user-generated posts may result in an administrative-level user block) when the posting content includes any of the following:
a. Incitement of violence or violent behavior;
b. Information that may compromise the safety or security of the public, public employees, public systems, or criminal or civil investigations;
c. Defamation;
d. Infringement or unauthorized use of copyrighted, trademarked, or proprietary material;
e. Commercial material including solicitations;
f. Fraudulent material or accusations;
g. Comments or content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates; discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, genetics, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or
intellectual disability or sexual orientation;
h. Obscene or illegal material, including comments that advocate for illegal activity;
i. Protected personal information including, but not limited to, identification numbers, phone numbers, emails, home addresses, and personally identifiable medical information; and
j. Hyperlinks to any material prohibited under the above guidelines. You can view our entire County Social Media Policy here: https://ouraycountyco.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16467/2022-015-Social-Media-Policy

05/20/2026

Let us host your next event!
The Ouray County Fairgrounds and 4H Event Center is open and ready to host you and your events.
☎️ Please give us a call today to book yours! 970-626-3304

05/16/2026

05/14/2026

Let us host your next event!

The Ouray County Fairgrounds and 4H Event Center is open and ready to host you and your events. Please give us a call today to book yours! 970-626-3304

Situated against a spectacular mountain backdrop, the Ouray County Fairgrounds and Events Center offe

04/24/2026

🚨 Three weeks from today!

On May 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Ouray County will conduct a Full-Scale Evacuation Exercise utilizing county-wide resources. Residents can expect to see significant first responder activity in and around the Town of Ridgway, Colo. during this time.
⚠️ This is only an exercise. There is no real emergency.
💻 Learn more about evacuations! https://bit.ly/OCEvacInfo

04/22/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Ouray County, CO — Ouray County is pleased to announce the appointment of Liz Schmidt as the new Manager of the Fairgrounds and 4H Event Center. Liz brings a distinctive combination of public service experience, business management insight, and local knowledge to this vital community role.

With a career spanning two decades, Liz has demonstrated excellence in high-performance business management, event planning, financial oversight, compliance, and employee management. She is recognized for her exceptional leadership skills, accountability, and unwavering commitment to operational excellence and community engagement.

For more than 30 years, Liz and her family have called Ouray County their home, immersing themselves in the unique outdoor experiences that the region offers. Together with her husband, son, and their black lab, Jake, they explore the natural beauty of Ouray County, the West Slope, and beyond. Liz has a particular passion for fishing; whether casting a line on a riverbank or sitting on a frozen lake, she finds her happiest moments in these serene settings.

“The Board of County Commissioners clearly stated that they wanted to reopen the Fairgrounds and 4H Event Center and wanted a strong manager to oversee operations. Liz distinguished herself from a strong field of applicants with her unique combination of public and private experience. I look forward to working closely with Liz to revitalize the Fairgrounds and 4H Event Center and begin hosting events regularly," stated County Manager Antonio Mendez

The Ouray County Fairgrounds and 4H Event Center is a pivotal landmark in the community, and stands as a testament to the region's vibrant culture. Home to the largest Equestrian/Rodeo Arena in Western Colorado, the center provides a dynamic space for events ranging from fairs and concerts to meetings, conferences, trade shows, and rodeos. It plays a crucial role in celebrating agriculture, preserving Ouray County's rich heritage, and nurturing community spirit.

01/21/2026

📣 Current Status of Events and Utilization of the Ouray County Fairgrounds and Event Center.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Current Status of Events and Utilization of the Ouray County Fairgrounds and Event Center

Ouray County, CO — The Ouray County Board of County Commissioners (Board) has been evaluating a budget shortfall and the associated constraints for the 2026 fiscal year. Late last year, after careful consideration, the Board made the difficult decision to pause all events at the Ouray County Fairgrounds and 4H Event Center until further notice. In order to achieve a balanced budget, the salaries for the Fairgrounds Manager and Assistant were also removed from the 2026 budget. Given these circumstances and the need for appropriate oversight, the Board felt it was necessary to temporarily suspend all events until a new plan could be implemented.

The Board and County Staff acknowledge the historical significance of the Fairgrounds and the 4H Event Center, recognizing their vital role as a cornerstone of our community and their importance to the numerous user groups that depend on these facilities throughout the year. The annual Ouray County Fair and Labor Day Rodeo are two such important events, and the Board is adamant that these events continue through the temporary closure.

This decision was made with careful consideration and deliberation. The Board will continue working diligently to explore creative solutions and has scheduled a work session for February 10th at 2:30pm to discuss this topic. The Board encourages the public to attend the upcoming work session and participate in this important conversation.

When circumstances allow for the reopening of the Fairgrounds and 4H Event Center later in the year, all user groups will be notified promptly. The Ouray County Fairgrounds and Event Center webpage, along with its social media platforms, will be updated to incorporate these changes and will feature a FAQ sheet to address any potential misinformation within the community.

Ouray County is dedicated to delivering timely and accurate information to our residents. We sincerely appreciate the community's understanding and patience as the County reassesses its needs and priorities.

County residents are encouraged to reach out to the County and County Commissioners with questions and concerns. Meeting information is available on the County website, and the public can subscribe to receive timely emails with meeting information, before scheduled meetings.

Please visit www.ouraycountyco.gov for more information.

Town of Ridgway, Colo., City of Ouray - Government, Ouray County Rodeo Association

01/05/2026

📣 Volunteers needed! https://www.sanjuanskijoring.com/volunteer

We're excited to host the 10th Anniversary of San Juan Skijoring at the Ouray County Fairgrounds and Event Center! Have you bought your tickets yet?
💻 https://www.sanjuanskijoring.com/tickets

11/10/2025

Coming this weekend to the Ouray County Event Center! Join us for the annual Spirit of the Season Bazaar & Talent RoundUp by Minerva West.

🎅 Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus 🎄
🎁 Holiday shopping - lots of vendors!
🌯 Food concessions by Lazy Dog Saloon Ridgway
🎭 Support local theater and regional vendors by shopping at this event!
FREE admission!

09/20/2025

It’s Survival Games at the Ouray County Fairgrounds from 10-4. Paint a snowplow, watch airbags deploy, see a helicopter land and, cherry on top, get some yummy Thai food from the food truck.

09/01/2025

It’s a beautiful day for a rodeo in Ouray County. Gates open at 11:00. Rodeo runs from 12-3. 🤠🐴
🍻 Beer tent is CASH ONLY! 💴

Address

22739 Highway 550
Ridgway, CO
81432

Website

http://Ouraycountyco.gov/, https://ouraycountyco.gov/253/Fairgrounds-and-4-H-Event-Center

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