GOLDEN — Naming rights and sponsorships will be explored as ways to ease fees that will be levied on youth groups using the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
“All three commissioners instructed Mark Danner (fairgrounds manager) and myself to proceed in getting requests for proposals on naming rights,” said Ralph Schell, director of Jefferson County Open Space, which oversees fairgrounds operations.
County officials announced two weeks ago that for the first time, youths — such as 4-H members and Scouts — will be charged for activities at the fairgrounds, which is on West Sixth Avenue near Indiana Street.
The charges, which are half the standard rate, become effective early next year. Officials say the fees are needed to reduce the county’s subsidy of the fairgrounds as a general-fund budget shortfall looms.
Commissioners Kathy Hartman and Kevin McCasky support the charges, while the third commissioner, Jim Congrove, disagrees.
Leaders and parents of the 400 kids in 4-H activities have launched a petition drive and letter-writing campaign to reverse the county directive.
The Westernaires horse drill team organization, which has called the fairgrounds home for more than a half-century, also will be affected, said president Glen Keller Jr.
While Westernaires uses its own property and facilities at the fairgrounds on a weekly basis, Keller said the group does rent county facilities such as the rodeo arena, exhibit hall and livestock building 14 or 15 times a year.
“Whenever we rent county facilities, we will be impacted,” Keller said. “We do understand the impact on us is fair.”
Based on county facility use last year, Keller estimated the cost of the fees on the Westernaires will be about $2,500 annually.
“We’ll sweat a little bit to do that,” Keller said, “but we’ll budget ahead and make it work.”
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
