Routt County 4-H news & updates
March 15, 2024
Upcoming Events
Click here to access the Routt County 4-H Google Calendar!
Shooting Sports practice schedules have been updated. Click here for updated schedules.
March 15th, 5pm, Thank Yous and Ads are due.
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!
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.
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.
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 3, May 29, 6pm, Jr Leader Meetings. Click here for a full outline of the Jr Leader Program.
April 5-7, District Retreat in Glenwood Springs. Registration is closed.
  • Interested in being a District Officer? Applications are due TODAY!
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.
April 12, 6pm, Sheep Workshop in the Trout Creek Room. Join us for a great market sheep workshop.
Topics Include:
  • Market Lamb Selection
  • Nutrition
  • Basic Care
BONUS - all members in attendance will be entered in a drawing for a market lamb donated by the Whaley Lamb Company!
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.

Please RSVP Here.
May 1, Enrollment and Add/Drop/Change Deadline.
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!
  • 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 1, 6pm, County Council Meeting in Soroco. We will be voting on our Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion awards during this meeting.

Do you have some award ideas? Email your Reserve Champion Award ideas to Routt County 4-H!
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
Routt County 4-H enjoyed their annual 4-H ski day on March 2nd. 30+ youth and families joined us on a windy but fun day of skiing. We are very thankful to Steamboat Ski Resort, Christy Sports and Powder Tools for helping making this day a success each year. 4-H is very appreciative of all the support from our awesome community!
 
Picture was taken by Fresh Prints
We had a great time with the Steamboat Boys and Girls Club during their school days off. We worked with youth to design their dream chicken coop, and then came back the following day for a petting zoo and Chicken Showmanship Clinic.

Thank you to Steamboat Pilot & Today for the photo in Sunday's paper.
Routt County 4-H Award Sponsorship Drive begins March 1 and runs through May 1st. Members are encouraged to gather at least 2 sponsorships
Stay up to date on all things Routt County 4-H. Follow, like and share our Facebook page(s)!
Financial Opportunities
Routt County 4-H Scholarship Applications are open. Scholarship Applications close on April 1st at 5pm.

You can access the scholarship applications here.
Please email your completed application to Christine Epp by May 15th.
Applications can be found here.
Club Reports
Routt County Council
March 6, 2024
The Routt County Council met on March 6, 2024, at 6:00 pm in the Hayden FFA room. Before the meeting began, Mr. Eric Wellman conducted a parliamentary procedure training for all of those who showed up and made it so much fun, entertaining, and educational for all! Thank you to Mr. Wellman for putting the training on for us, it was so much fun!
The meeting was called to order at 6:21 pm.
  • Club reports and recent events reports were given for the following:
  1. Cowboy Downhill Petting Zoo- Thank you to all who participated and made it so much fun!
  2. NWSS Trip- This trip was also very fun and educational for everyone who came! Visiting the stock show grounds, the barns where all of the animals are kept in preparation for shows, the rodeo, and visiting some local farms in the process made for an amazing trip!
  3. Leadership Development Conference- We strongly encourage this weekend activity for all senior members and appreciate those who participate in it!
  4. Beef Weigh-In- Thank you to everyone who helped out to make the weigh-in as efficient and entertaining as it was!
  5. Winter Carnival Parade- This was a success and thank you to everyone who came!
  6. 4-H Ski Day- We hope everyone had a great day and appreciate the great turnout this year!
Unfinished Business: 
  • BBQ Update: Our returning sponsors have been contacted and Alpine Bank is a yes to be a sponsor again, and Rhineheart Oil is a yes but waiting for a final corporate approval. 
New Business:
  • Livestock Kids:
  1. March 19 @ 10am at the fairgrounds is a swine workshop.
  2. March 15 is the deadline for the buyer thank yous that are going into the Routt County Fair Book for $20 a thank you. Or look at buying a bigger ad to thank your buyers at a 25% discount. 
  3. April 12 @ 6pm in the Trout Creek room is a sheep workshop.
  4. Horse workshops in BCC at 5pm on April 17 and 22.
  5. April 24 is MQA training for all new/first-year livestock members and 1st-year senior members!
  6. May 1 is the animal ID deadline for Horse and Dog projects.
  7. NW Colorado Livestock Expo is June 10-14 in Grand County: This is an amazing learning experience for first-year livestock(horse, dog, poultry, rabbit, livestock) members to attend, the Routt County Council Officers recall "This is actually where most if not all of us learned how to show our animals!" 
  8. Town Kid Locations: Do you live where you can't house your animals? We have THREE locations this year that can house your animal for you! Contact Mille if you are interested in housing your animal at one of these locations.
  • Routt County Fairgrounds in Hayden
  • Stout/Padgett Place on the edge of Steamboat near Butcher Knife Canyon
  • CR 179 off of Hwy 131.
  • Sponsorships:
  1. Each member recruits two sponsorships.
  2. If the sponsor wants to sponsor the same award as last year, they must submit and pay for the sponsorship by May 1.
  3. Any sponsorships coming in after May 1 will be applied where needed.
  4. The Extension Office has emailed all of last year's sponsors to invite them to sponsor again.
  5. Each Club has been given a sprinted sponsorships sheet for all of last year's sponsors that the youth will then take to the sponsors.
  6. Help us with the biggest fundraiser of the year and recruit two sponsors! 
  • New Families: Please RSVP for the mandatory New Member Dinner on March 20 @ 6pm at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.
  • March 17, Sunday: 
  1. Ag Week 4-H Petting Zoo at Howelsen Hill 11am-1pm: We are still looking for volunteers to come help.
  2. Casey's Pond Snow Sculptures at 2pm: Come join your club in building snow sculptures for the residents of Casey's Pond to see!
  • Scholarships: Routt County 4-H scholarships for graduating seniors and continuing education are posted on our website and are due by April 1 at 5pm!
  • May 1: Enrollment Deadline, and final day to add/drop/change a project. After May 1st you must complete all projects you are enrolled in. Please double-check in 4HOnline before May 1 and make sure you are enrolled in the correct projects!

The next Council meeting will be on May 1 @ 6pm in the Soroco Middle School conference room.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:36pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Bedell
Routt County Reporter, 202
Courtesy Posts
Would you like the opportunity to train a mustang? Find more information on the Meeker Mustang Makeover here.
  • Applications are due April 1st. Submit your applications here.

Are you a youth training a mustang and interested in a Wild Horse Kids Camp? Find more information here.
  • Registration for the camp is due April 1st. You can register for the camp 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
Practice Schedules - NEW DATES AND TIMES ADDED - All members attending practices must be enrolled and paid in the specific discipline. No Exceptions!

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.
  • 2023-2024 Record Books available for download on the Colorado 4-H website.
  • Google Drive Record Books pilot program (Please let us know any comments, suggestions, issues, etc. on these record books).
  • Project Manuals are available in our office. Please check your "Welcome to 4-H Email" to see the status on your project manual.

All members must abide by the Routt County 4-H Member Handbook, Policies, and Procedures while enrolled in the Routt County 4-H Program.

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!
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 Town Kid meeting will be held March 19th in Hayden. Contact Millie for more details.

Are you interested in getting connected with one of these facilities? Contact Millie for more information!
Dog Classroom Sessions - Tuesdays at 5:30pm, Trout Creek Room (Down the hall from the Extension Office)
Join Cathy, 4-H Dog Leader, to learn all about the dog project.
Topics include:
  • Breeds
  • Careers
  • Grooming
  • General Knowledge
Sheep Workshop - April 12, 6pm, Trout Creek Room (Down the hall from the Extension Office)
Join us for a great market sheep workshop.
Topics Include:
  • Market Lamb Selection
  • Nutrition
  • Basic Care
BONUS - all members in attendance will be entered in a drawing for a market lamb donated by the Whaley Lamb Company!
Horse Workshops - April 17 and May 22, BCC Room (3rd Floor Historic Court House)
Join us for two great horse workshops presented by Cassidy Perricone.
Topics Include:
  • Horse 101
  • Nutrition & Conditioning
  • and MORE!
Pre-Fair Weigh-Ins - May 5th, 12pm, Routt County Fairgrounds
  • Cost is $5 per animal.
  • Please have the Weigh In Form(s) completed before arriving at the scale.
  • Sheep/Goat Weigh-In Form
  • Swine Weigh-In Form
  • 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.
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.
Program Requirements - All members must abide by the Routt County 4-H Member Handbook, Policies, and Procedures while enrolled in the Routt County 4-H Program.
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 19-21, 2024 - Statewide Horse Clinic at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. 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.
  • May 25-26, 2024 - Loma Outlaws Livestock Jackpot at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. More information 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.
  • 2023-2024 Record Books available for download on the Colorado 4-H website.
  • Google Drive Record Books pilot program (Please let us know any comments, suggestions, issues, etc. on these record books).
  • Project Manuals are available in our office. Please check your "Welcome to 4-H Email" to see the status on your project manual, as some of these can be found online.

All members must abide by the Routt County 4-H Member Handbook, Policies, and Procedures while enrolled in the Routt County 4-H Program.
Important Dates -
  • May 1 - Project Add/Drop/Change Date
  • July 10 - FairEntry Registration Due
  • July 27 - Exhibit Day
Routt County 4-H Leadership Opportunities
Youth Fest is April 26-28, at the Colorado State Fairgrounds.
  • Registration closes April 12th on 4-HOnline.
  • Members must pay $115 to attend this conference.
  • There are no registration refunds after the registration deadline.
  • Members must arrange their own transportation to and from Youth Fest.
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!
  • Remind members that they must be enrolled and paid by May 1st in order to participate in the Routt County 4-H Program.
  • Members have until May 1 to add/change/drop projects
  • Members must be enrolled if they are attending meetings
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