Routt County 4-H news & updates
February 15, 2024
Upcoming Events
Click here to access the Routt County 4-H Google Calendar!
Routt County 4-H Scholarships are open. Applications are due April 1 at 5pm.

Scholarship applications can be found on our website.
February 16 & 17, 10am-12pm, Hayden Dog Workshop. All members are welcome to join Lisa and Jessica in Hayden for a two day dog workshop. Day 1 is a Basic Obedience Refresher, and Day 2 (members must attend Day 1) is a Trick Workshop.

Please check your email for a list of equipment to bring with you to these workshops.

RSVP by February 8th here.
February 16, 5pm,
Citizenship Washington Focus Registration is due.
CWF is June 20-27 (dates lap over State Conference). Registration is open in 4-H Online.
  • If needed, interviews will be conducted in the 2 weeks following the registration deadline.
  • 2 members from Routt County will go with all expenses paid.
  • Questions? Please reach out to Tami.
February 18, 4pm, Air Pistol and Air Rifle practice starts at the SoRoCo Elementary School. Members are advised to use the back gym doors.

Practices will continue weekly on Sundays. Questions? Contact Rick Kirby (coach).
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February 19:The Routt County Extension Office will be closed in observance of President's Day.
February 28, April 3, May 29, 6pm, Jr Leader Meetings. Please click here for a full outline of the Jr Leader Program.
February 28, March 27, April 3, May 29, June 26 5pm, Cloverbud Workshops. Please click here for the full schedule of Cloverbud Workshops.

RSVPs are Required 48 Hours prior to the workshop. Please click HERE to RSVP.
February 29, 5pm, Routt County Livestock Judging Team Practice. Join the Routt County Livestock Judging Team every Thursday from 5-6:30pm for practice. Practices are typically held in the Trout Creek Room.
March 1, Routt County 4-H Award Sponsorship Drive Begins. The sponsorship drives runs through May 1st.
  • Members are encouraged to gather at least 2 sponsorships
  • First right of refusal goes to previous year's sponsor. All forms and payment must be received by May 1st in order to keep their award spot.
March 2, Ski Day at Mount Werner. Tami will be handing out lift tickets in Gondola Square from 9am-10am. Members and families will then meet at the top of Thunderhead for a picture at 11am. This is an unsupervised event, please plan accordingly.

Lift tickets are free for 4-H members, and half price for parents. If anyone needs ski rentals, there will be half price rentals available.

RSVP to Tami by February 21st at 5pm.
March 4, March 13, March 25, April 2, April 10, 5:30pm, Leathercraft Workshops in the Trout Creek Room. Leathercraft workshops are optional. Please click here for the full schedule.

RSVPs are Required 48 Hours prior to the workshop. Please click HERE to RSVP.
March 6, 6pm, Parliamentary Procedure Training in the Hayden FFA Ag Room. All Club Officers are highly encouraged to attend this fun training taught by Eric Wellman.
March 9, 10am, Swine Workshop at the Routt County Fairgrounds. Join us for a great market swine workshop.
Topics Include:
  • Market Swine Selection
  • Nutrition
  • Basic Care
BONUS - all members in attendance will be entered in a drawing for a market pig provided by Todd Morris!
March 11, April 11, April 17, 4-5pm, Gardening Workshops in the Trout Creek Room. Gardening workshops are optional, but highly encouraged for anyone enrolled in the project.

RSVPs are Required 48 Hours prior to the workshop. Please click HERE to RSVP.
March 12, 5:30pm, Junior Livestock Sale Committee Meeting in the Alpine Bank Conference Room and on Webex (link in calendar invite).

The JLS Committee is looking for more volunteers. Join the meeting to learn more about the committee, and how you can help!
March 15th, 5pm, Thank Yous and Ads are due. Please submit your Thank Yous and Ads for the Routt County Fair Book.
March 17, 11am-1pm, Ag Week Petting Zoo at Howelson Hill. Join Routt County 4-H and the Community Ag Alliance as we kick off Ag Week with a petting zoo at Ski Free Sunday.

Please RSVP to Routt County 4-H, by March 8th at 5pm, if you are able to provide an animal.
March 17, 2 pm, Casey's Pond Snow Sculpture Building. All Steamboat and North Routt 4-H members are encouraged to join us as we make some snow sculptures for the residents at Casey's Pond to enjoy.
March 20, 6pm, Mandatory New Member Dinner at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. Come join us as we discuss important dates, outline the importance of 4-H, and meet the faces behind Routt County 4-H!

All first year members and their families are required to attend! RSVP HERE by Friday, March 15th at 5pm.
April 1, 6:30pm, Vet Science Meetings begin at the Steamboat Springs Veterinary Hospital. Meetings will be held on Mondays through July 22.

Members must be enrolled in the Vet Science Project in order to participate in these workshops. A full list of workshops can be found here.
April 5-7, District Retreat in Glenwood Springs. Registration is open on 4-HOnline. Members will be responsible for paying the $70 Registration Fee, and Routt County 4-H Leadership Fund will cover the hotel costs. If a member has to cancel any time after the registration deadline, they will be responsible for the $70 Registration fee AND the $75 hotel cost.
April 17, May 22, 5pm, Horse Workshop in the BCC Room. All horse members are encouraged to attend.
April 24, 6pm, Meat Quality Assurance Training in the Routt County Community Room. All 1st year livestock members and 1st year senior livestock members are required to attend this training.
May 1, Add/Drop/Change Deadline. After this date, you are committed to all projects that you are enrolled in. Double check all projects you are enrolled in before May 1st. All members must be enrolled in at least 1 project.
May 1, Horse and Dog IDs are due on 4-HOnline. Instructions on completing animal IDs can be found on our website.
May 5, 12pm, Sheep/Goat/Swine Weigh-In at the Routt County Fairgrounds in Hayden. Cost is $5 per animal. Please have the Weigh In Form (Sheep/Goat) or (Swine) completed before arriving at the scale. You must be enrolled in Routt County 4-H with all fees paid (including any past due fees). Questions? Take a look at the handbook section that discusses spring weigh-ins.
General 4-H News
Email your Reserve Champion Award ideas to Routt County 4-H!
The Routt County 4-H Member Handbook, Policy and Procedures is updated and approved. All members must abide by the Routt County 4-H Member Handbook, Policies, and Procedures while enrolled in the Routt County 4-H Program.
2023-2024 Record Books available for download on the Colorado 4-H website.
  • Livestock Members, scroll down to your section for record book tips and tricks!
  • More information on Record Books (including club books) can be found on our website.
4-H Enrollment is Open!
Here is a LINK to how to enroll, clubs, projects and much more. Call our office with any questions - we are here to help you!
  • Interested in specific projects? Check out the sections below for project workshops!
  • Are you new to 4-H? Have questions? Mark your calendar for the New Member Dinner, March 20.
  • Enrollment and Add/Drop/Change deadline is May 1st.
Sponsorship Drive
Routt County 4-H Award Sponsorship Drive begins March 1 and runs through May 1st.
  • Members are encouraged to gather at least 2 sponsorships
  • First right of refusal goes to previous year's sponsor. All forms and payment must be received by May 1st in order to keep their award spot.
Stay up to date on all things Routt County 4-H. Follow, like and share our Facebook page(s)!
Looking for ways to thank all of your supporters? Consider submitting a Thank You Ad in the 2024 Routt County Fair Book. Payment and ads are due no later than March 15th!

Interested in Advertising or sponsoring a fair event? Check out the Routt County Fair Advertising and Sponsorship page on the Routt County Fair Website!
Financial Opportunities
You can fill out the loan application here.
Please email your completed application to Christine Epp by May 15th.
Applications can be found here.
Colorado 4-H awards scholarships annually to outstanding youth who have actively engaged in Colorado 4-H clubs for at least three years. The scholarship process is open from November 1, 2023, through March 1, 2024. Scholarship recipients will be announced in May 2024. There are opportunities available for all kinds of students, including those attending CSU or other universities, trade schools or junior colleges, transfer students, and continuing students. We encourage our 4-H participants to apply. There is $49,500 available in funding this year!
Routt County 4-H Scholarship Applications are open. Scholarship Applications close on April 1st at 5pm.

You can access the scholarship applications here.
Club Reports
Ranch House
January 8, 2024
Ranch House's meeting was called to order at 6:30pm on January 8th. The Secretary and Treasurer reports were given. There was no old business.
Under new business, we did not have enough members to hold elections. They will be held at our February meeting. We decided on making Valentine Center Pieces again this year at our February meeting for the residents at the Haven. The meeting ended at 7pm.

Submitted by Kelsey Stewart
Did you catch us in the Winter Carnival Parade? Thank you to the Elk River Wranglers Heid Family - Del's Triangle 3 Ranch for pulling our Diamond Hitch with your buggy!
Project Highlight
Interested in raising an animal? Contact Millie for more information.
Enroll in the Routt County Gardening project today!
Interested in learning more? Fill out this Google Form!
Visit our website for more information.
Courtesy Posts
Please reach out to Renee May, or Millie if you have any questions on how to get involved with this great committee!
Positions are open for the Extension Advisory Board. More information and applications can be found on the Routt County Website!

Looking at ways to become involved in the Routt County Fair? No need to wait for a vacancy, submit your application TODAY!

Need more information on the Fair Advisory Board? Find out more on the Routt County Fair and Fairgrounds website! These meetings are open to the public. Every second Wednesday of the month at 6pm in Hayden.
Do you want to show off your creative skills? Sign up for the first annual Recycled Runway Showdown at the Routt County Fair! This event is open to all!
Registration can be found here.
Register for this webinar here.
Complete the survey here.
New Member Information
Learn more about Routt County 4-H on our WEBSITE.
  • See a list of our 4-H clubs and when they meet.
  • Learn about all the projects 4-H has to offer.
  • The Colorado 4-H WEBSITE also offers project information and record book links. Click on the area of a project of interest (word on picture square), then click on the project you want to learn more about.

March 20, 2024, 6-7pm, Mandatory New Member Dinner. Come join us as we discuss important dates, outline the importance of 4-H, and meet the faces behind Routt County 4-H!
4-H Project Area Information
Are you interested in becoming a leader? Reach out to Tami ASAP!
Leader Training Dates -   All workshops are tentative and may be cancelled or adjusted for reason including but not limited to low registration numbers, inclement weather, etc.
  • March 1-3, Morgan County - (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun)
  • March 8-10, Pueblo County – (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Hunting & Outdoor Skills, Western Heritage)
  • March 15-17, Weld County – (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun)
  • March 22-24, Garfield County - (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Hunting & Outdoor Skills, Western Heritage)

Practice Schedule - All members attending practices must be enrolled and paid in the specific discipline. No Exceptions!
  • SoRoCo Air Rifle and Air Pistol - Sundays at 4pm in the SoRoCo Elementary School Gym. Practices start February 18th.
  • Steamboat Air Rifle - practice is to start late winter/early spring. Schedule to be posted soon.

Project Requirements - please make sure that you are aware of the requirements for your project. You can find a complete list of the requirements on the Colorado State 4-H Website.

Important Shooting Sports Dates -
  • May 1 - Project Add/Drop/Change Date
  • July 6 - Completion Weekend Registration Due
  • July 10 - FairEntry Registration Due
  • July 14 - Air Rifle, Air Pistol, and .22 Pistol Completion Day at the Kirby Ranch
  • July 20-21 - Shotgun, Archery, and .22 Rifle Completion Weekend at the Routt County Rifle Club
  • July 27 - Exhibit Day
Project Dates - check out the following links for important project dates!
  • Cattle
  • Swine - please note, the Spring Weigh-in date is May 5th
  • Sheep - please note, the Spring Weigh-in date is May 5th
  • Goat - please note, the Spring Weigh-in date is May 5th
  • Horse
  • Horse members, please check your email for a recap on the February 12th Horse Meeting. Please take 10 minutes to fill out this survey to help with the scheduling of horse rides this summer.
  • Poultry
  • Rabbit
  • Dog
Are you interested in being a Small Animal Superintendent? Contact Millie.
Town Kid Project Locations - Routt County 4-H has secured 2 new places for Town Kids to raise livestock projects.

  • Steamboat Location (NEW) - Stout and Padgett Place located on your way to Strawberry Park near Butcher-Knife Trail.
  • South Routt Location (NEW) - CR 179 and HWY 131 located just a mile up the road on 179 off of 131.
  • Hayden Location - Routt County Fairgrounds

Are you interested in getting connected with one of these facilities? Contact Millie for more information!
Swine Workshop - March 9
Join us for a great market swine workshop.
Topics Include:
  • Market Swine Selection
  • Nutrition
  • Basic Care
BONUS - all members in attendance will be entered in a drawing for a market pig provided by Todd Morris!
Pre-Fair Weigh-Ins -
Weigh-In Results -
Colorado State Fair Information - it is the member's responsibility to educate themselves on the items needed, and deadlines for the Colorado State Fair. We will have nomination forms available at each Pre-Fair weigh-in. Please visit the Colorado State Fair website for deadlines, schedules, and DNA Kits.
Livestock Dates -
Jackpots, Shows, and Expos -
These are shows we are sharing from other counties for members to participate in. The postings are for your information. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Routt County Extension.
  • April 6, 2024 - Annual Beef Blow N Go Show in El Paso County. More information and registration can be found here.
  • April 7, 2024 - 4-H Dog Expo at The Ranch in Loveland. Registration is open on 4-HOnline.
  • April 27-28, 2024 - Spring Gather Open Ranch Horse Show and Clinic in Grand Junction. More info and registration can be found here.
  • June 14-16, 2024 - Kirk Stierwalt Market Beef Clinic in El Paso County. For more information and to register, click here. Payment is due here.
2023-2024 Record Books are posted on the Colorado 4-H website. Need help finding your record book, or would you like it printed out? Shoot us an email.

Pages that can be completed NOW -
Pages to be working on through project -
Pages that are completed at the END of your project -
Project Workshops - Click on the following links to see the tentative schedule for the following workshops. All members must be fully Enrolled in Routt County 4-H before attending these workshops.
Project Requirements - please make sure that you are aware of the requirements for your project. You can find a complete list of the requirements on the Colorado State 4-H Website.
Important Dates -
  • May 1 - Project Add/Drop/Change Date
  • July 10 - FairEntry Registration Due
  • July 27 - Exhibit Day
Routt County 4-H Leadership Opportunities
Routt County Junior Leaders - become an ambassador for the Routt County 4-H Program. Are you interested in promoting county, district, and state events? Plan meetings, events, activities and more. Join the Routt County Junior Leader program to work with like-minded peers to host and plan fun activities!

District Retreat will be April 5th-7th, in Glenwood Springs.
  • Registration is open on 4-HOnline.
  • Members will be responsible for paying the $70 Registration Fee, and Routt County 4-H Leadership Fund will cover the hotel costs.
  • If a member has to cancel any time after the registration deadline, they will be responsible for the $70 Registration fee AND the $75 hotel cost.

Citizenship Washington Focus is June 20-27 (dates lap over State Conference). Registration is open in 4-H Online, and closes February 16th at 5pm. If needed, interviews will be conducted in the 2 weeks following the registration deadline. 2 members from Routt County will go with all expenses paid. If you have any questions, please reach out to Tami.
Leaders
THANK YOU all for the help that you pour into our Routt County 4-H youth each and every year. We could not do what we do without all of you!


4-H Enrollment is Open!
  • Please Re-Enroll as a leader ASAP!
  • Encourage returning members to sign up (and pay) before December 31st to avoid a $30 late fee!
Routt County 4-H Cloverbuds
What is a Cloverbud? Cloverbuds are members from 5-7 years old who are not quite ready to participate in many of the projects and activities that the rest of the older 4-H members participate in.

What can Cloverbuds do? The Cloverbud program is focused on participation, teamwork, and learning (not so much on competition). Several of our clubs host Cloverbud events during their regular monthly meetings, and our Routt County 4-H Junior Leaders host 5 Cloverbud workshops throughout the spring and summer to get our youngest members excited about 4-H.

Enrollment - $15/Cloverbud Member
Here is a LINK to how to enroll, and much more. Cloverbud members are not required to attend monthly meetings, but any member wanting to join the Cloverbud workshops must be enrolled as a Cloverbud member. Call our office with any questions - we are here to help you!

Cloverbud Workshops- See a list of workshops here. RSVP for workshops Here.
Routt County CSU Extension - 4-H