GOLDEN — For the first time, Jefferson County will charge youths – from 4-H members to Scouts to rodeo participants – for activities at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
County officials say the charges, expected to raise about $25,000 in 2008, are needed to wean the fairgrounds from being subsidized by the county’s general fund, which is longer on needs than revenues.
The county’s citizen budget advisory board recommended “figuring out a way to realistically get the fairgrounds on the path to become self-sufficient each year,” said Commissioner Kevin McCasky.
The fairgrounds staff has come up with a fee structure for youth programs that will be implemented early next year, with rates half of standard charges, said Ralph Schell, Open Space director, who oversees the fairgrounds.
Leaders of 4-H clubs and parents are upset about the pending charges for the 400 participants. A petition asking that fees be rescinded is being circulated, and a letter-writing campaign has begun.
“It has the potential for closing part of the 4-H,” said club leader Mariam Phillips.
Phillips said 4-H is an educational organization that offers a variety of programs and activities for youths to age 19. It is administered by the Cooperative Extension System of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The 4-H program “has been on the fairgrounds since the 1950s; it’s a good county program,” Phillips said. It’s not clear how the board’s fee directive applies to the Westernaires horse drill team group, which uses the facilities weekly.
“It’s not like we’re making money,” said Diana Altermatt, another 4-H Club leader and parent of four children who are involved in 4-H. “When you decide you want to charge, who are you really charging? You’re charging the kids.”
The 100-acre fairgrounds has arenas, halls and other facilities used by many groups. About $10 million in improvements have been made in the past five to six years.
Commissioner Kathy Hartman said she doesn’t disagree with the benefit of 4-H, “but a budget environment where nurses at the health department aren’t getting a raise, we’re closing the Conifer clinic and we’re not paving any new roads, there’s a lot of other stuff we value.”
The county must trim about $12 million from next year’s budget.
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
