As Colorado State Fair Kicks Off, Hinrichsen Celebrates Historic Bipartisan Investment to Support Longstanding Pueblo Institution

Senator championed legislation that provides $4 million to update facilities, move forward on master plan 

PUEBLO, CO – As the Colorado State Fair gets under way, Senator Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, is celebrating his bipartisan bill that invests $4 million to improve and support the Colorado State Fair and keep it in Pueblo.

Cosponsored by Senator Don Coram, R-Montrose, and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, and signed into law by Governor Polis, SB22-134 provides $4 million to help implement the Colorado State Fair Master Plan, which aims to update and modernize the Colorado State Fair by improving facilities, addressing a backlog of capital construction projects, expanding marketing capacity, and making the State Fair more resilient and sustainable.

“The Colorado State Fair is a Pueblo institution, a chance to show off all the great things our city has to offer, and a critical economic driver for our community,” Hinrichsen said. “I was proud to pass this bill and secure this critical funding to update the fair’s master plan, improve fairground facilities, and help ensure families can continue enjoying the Colorado State Fair here in Pueblo for generations to come.”

According to the Master Plan, the Fair generates over $29 million annually in economic impact to the surrounding area and provides, through its 101 acres of public lands, an affordable and accessible amenity for a diverse population. A historic asset of the state, the Fairgrounds are currently facing issues common to many state fairs, including aging facilities and a backlog of building deficiencies, limited funding, competing venues and operational losses.