Colorado State Fair Market Nomination Information

Please see the important information regarding nominating market beef, goat, sheep and swine for the Colorado State Fair.

  • Each animal must be ear tagged with the official recorded County ear tag. The official recorded County ear tag number must go on the Nomination Form as the permanent ear tag. ALL GOATS AND LAMBS MUST HAVE SCRAPIES TAGS.
  • The Colorado State Fair requires DNA for Market Goat, Market Sheep, Market Swine and Market Beef beginning this year. You can order DNA envelopes beginning March 2nd at Colorado State Fair. We do not have any DNA envelopes at the Extension Office.
  • Each exhibitor nominating animals for the Colorado State Fair will complete one (1) form per species.
  • Hog ear notches must be marked on the hog form.
  • Market hog, market goat, market sheep and market beef exhibitors will be required to submit DNA samples for all market animals that may be entered and shown at the Colorado State Fair.
  • It is required that all market hogs shown at the 2026 Colorado State Fair, have proper ear notches, have an official recorded County / FFA ear tag and have submitted DNA within the required time limit.
  • You can order DNA envelopes beginning March 2nd at Colorado State Fair. Exhibitors will need to mail the DNA envelopes to Colorado State Fair and they are due by April 6th for Market Beef and by June 8th for Market Goat, Market Sheep and Market Swine. Late DNA samples WILL NOT be accepted.
  • One market hog ear notch change will be allowed per animal. Extension agents or FFA Advisors should submit any ear notch changes in writing to the Colorado State Fair – changes to ear notches will not be accepted via email or phone directly from exhibitors or parents. Incorrect ear notches may result in disqualification from showing at the Colorado State Fair. Pictures of ear notches are not acceptable.

At the time of nomination, all junior exhibitors may family/household nominate all animals according to the following guidelines:

  • The exhibitors must all legally reside in the same household and are siblings, step-siblings, or legally adopted.
  • In order to properly family nominate an animal, submit a separate nomination form for each exhibitor and list every animal in each exhibitor’s name.
  • All exhibitors must sign the DNA sample envelope for market beef, market goat, market sheep and market swine.
  • The animal WILL NOT be family nominated if all exhibitors have not completed a nomination form and signed the DNA envelope for each animal.

The Colorado State Fair will be held August 28 - September 7. The tentative 2026 livestock schedule can be accessed at their website: Colorado State Fair. You are encouraged to visit the website for a complete listing of rules.

 

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