by Carol Dunn
LA VETA- At the March 5 meeting of the Huerfano Basin Stockgrowers Association, the association members offered to help the Fair Board with the July 4 rodeo. “Last year we lost $3,000 on the rodeo,” Fair Board member Gene Uebler told the group. Uebler said the stock contractor has been the most expensive part of the rodeo, and the lowest stock bid the Fair Board has received for the 2009 rodeo is $5,700. “We could home-town the stock and put on just as good of a show,” said Stockgrowers president Dave Stroh. Several suggestions were put forth by the group, including shortening the rodeo to a one-day event. “We want to help any way we can,” Larry Fuller told Uebler.
The Stockgrowers will also establish a committee to work with the Fair Board to erect a cover over part of the grandstands. The Fair Board has approved of the project if funds can be obtained. Max Vezzani said the project has the potential to obtain about $20,000 of GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado) funds, which would be routed through Huerfano County Parks & Recreation. Fuller said he has spoken to a few contractors who would be interested in volunteering their help on the project. The Stockgrowers authorized up to $600 for engineering on the project by Scott Johnson, Summit Engineering. The engineering is required by Huerfano County Building Department because the facility will be used by the public. Johnson will provide the Stockgrowers with a cost estimate divided into four phases so the organization can decide what portion of the grandstands can be covered with the money that is raised.
Beaver Edmundson reported to the group that, amid strong opposition, Colorado’s legislators have decided not to take a half million dollars from the Brand Board Fund this year.
