Routt County 4-H news & updates
January 31, 2023
Upcoming Events
Click here to access the Routt County 4-H Google Calendar!
February 5, 2pm, South Routt Snowman Building - All South Routt 4-H members are encouraged to join us to build snowmen in the South Routt Community. Meet at South Routt Elementary and disperse from there. 
February 7, 6pm, 4-H Monthly Moos Call (open to all 4-H members)! - join Tami and Millie as they discuss the topic: Prepping for the 4-H Year? (Zoom information is included in Calendar Link)

Do you have any questions that you would like covered in the latest Monthly Moo? Please email Millie any questions you would like addressed!
February 7, 6pm, Junior Livestock Sale Committee Meeting - Are you interested in becoming involved with the Routt County Junior Livestock Sale? Attend the first JLS meeting of the year at the Routt County Extension office. The meeting will be from 6-7:30pm.
February 12, 12:30pm, Beef Weigh-In at the Routt County Fairgrounds from 12:30-2:30pm.

Cost is $5 per animal. Please have the Weigh In Form completed before arriving at the scale. You must be enrolled with all fees paid (including past due fees).

Questions? Take a look at the handbook section that discusses spring weigh-ins.
February 12, 10:30am, Winter Carnival Parade - Routt County 4-H is going to be in the Winter Carnival Parade this year!

Join us on foot or on skis to partake in our Diamond Hitch graciously provided by Del's Triangle Three Ranch and one of their buggies! Let Tami know if you would like to participate!
February 15, 6pm, Junior Leader Meeting, Trout Creek Room - Are you interested in being an ambassador of Routt County 4-H? Our Junior Leaders help put on all 4-H Events in the county, while learning new leadership skills along the way. All senior aged (14-18 year old) members are encouraged to come and learn more about the Jr. Leadership Program. The Jr. Leaders meet monthly!
Join Routt County 4-H as we host a Blues Break Camp. Open to all!
  • Registration is now open until filled. To reserve your spot please complete a registration form and pay. You can choose from a day of Sewing or a day of Felting & Cake Decorating. The cost is $25 per day (or $20 for 4-H members). Click HERE to download a registration form. You can pay online at this LINK.
March 4, 9am, Routt County 4-H Ski Day - join Routt County 4-H as we hit the slopes of Mount Werner. Members must meet at the top of the Gondola for a picture at 11am!

RSVP to Tami by February 27th to reserve your ticket. Members ski free, parents ski for half price!
March 7, 6pm, 4-H Monthly Moos Call - join Tami and Millie as they discuss the topic: Guiding myself through 4-H (Zoom information is included in Calendar Link).

Do you have any questions that you would like covered in the latest Monthly Moo? Please email Millie any questions you would like addressed!
March 8, 6pm, New Member Orientation Dinner - join us as we discuss important events for the upcoming year. We will also go over the basis of Routt County 4-H and what we offer. The last 30 minutes you will have a chance to rotate and explore different projects.
  • This is a MANDATORY dinner. If you cannot make it, please contact the extension office to arrange a one-on-one meeting with Tami or Millie.
March 15, 6pm, Junior Leader Meeting, Trout Creek Room - Are you interested in being an ambassador of Routt County 4-H? Our Junior Leaders help put on all 4-H Events in the county, while learning new leadership skills along the way. All senior aged (14-18 year old) members are encouraged to come and learn more about the Jr. Leadership Program. The Jr. Leaders meet monthly!
March 19, 2pm, Snow Sculpture Building at Casey's Pond - All Steamboat and North Routt 4-H members are encouraged to join us to build snow sculptures for the residents of Casey's Pond!
March 31-April 2, District Retreat - Join us in Glenwood Springs as we meet up with the District 9 Counties for District Retreat. Registration opens February 6th! Register on 4-H Online.
April 4, 6pm, 4-H Monthly Moos Call - join Tami and Millie as they discuss the topic: Animal IDs (Zoom information is included in Calendar Link)

Do you have any questions that you would like covered in the latest Monthly Moo? Please email Millie any questions you would like addressed!
April 19, 5:30pm, Horse Classroom - join us in the Trout Creek Room, as we invite Cassidy Perricone to discusses Horse Safety and Basic Horse knowledge. Pizza will be provided.
April 26, 5pm, Meat Quality Assurance Training - MQA (Meat Quality Assurance Training) is required for all 1st 4-H animal members and 1st year senior animal members. We will conduct the MQA training first followed up by a Livestock 101 for all livestock members.
4-H News
The Routt County 4-H Member Handbook, Policy and Procedures is updated and approve. All members must abide by the Routt County 4-H Member Handbook, Policies and Procedures while enrolled in the Routt County 4-H Program.
4-H Enrollment is Open!
Here is a LINK on how to enroll, clubs, projects and much more.
  • If you are attending club meetings and other 4-H Events, you MUST be enrolled and paid!
  • All returning members who have not enrolled/paid before January 1 will receive a $30 late fee!
  • New to 4-H? Mark your calendar for the New Member Dinner, March 8, 6pm at the Steamboat Community Center.
Would you like to enter a 'Thank You' ad into the 2023 Routt County Fair Book? Visit the Routt County Fair website to learn more about fair book ads!

When would you like to do Achievement Night this year? Fill out this survey to help us pick a date that works best for members and their families!
Are you looking at filling out scholarships for continuing education? Colorado 4-H Scholarships are now posted on the website! The Routt County 4-H Scholarship Application will be posted soon!
2022-2023 Record Books are now posted! Find them here!
  • Livestock members - scroll down for some helpful record book tips!
We have a few extra t-shirts for sale at the Extension Office. $20/shirt. Stop by today to pick one up!
Club Reports
Leadership Development Conference
On Saturday January 28th, nine Routt County youth drove down to the Denver Renaissance Hotel to take part in the 2023 Leadership Development Conference. We made it down in time to attend the district and senate meetings which went well. We then changed into professional attire and attended the banquet which had delicious food. A dance was held from 8:30-11:00. The next day members ate breakfast and attended breakout sessions where they discussed problems affecting our clubs, communities, country, and world. Skits were performed during closing session and then we went to Bass Pro Shops and Olive Garden for county night out. Another dance was held from 8:30-11:00. On Monday we got to visit the state capital after breakfast. We had the privilege of meeting with Representative Megan Lukens and Senator Dylan Roberts. Over all it was an exciting and wonderful trip. Hopefully we bring more Routt County members next year.

Respectfully submitted,
Tim Bedell
High Point 4-H Club
Dec 11, 2022
Our meeting and year-end party were held at Snowbowl. We decided to waive dues for members who participated in community service the previous year.  We discussed our successful tread of pioneers community service projects in November with the Festival of trees. Elections are finished and all positions are filled for the coming year. We discussed the 4-H scholarship ideas and formed a committee to work on this. Members received end of year awards, thank you Sue!
January 8th 2023 
We met at Steamboat Mountain School and welcomed some new members. Senior members taught junior members how to make a motion properly. Scholarship fundraiser has been canceled so we discussed donating money to the fund instead, will get more info and decide later. We discussed the cowboy downhill petting zoo on January 16th.  Members interested in participating are to contact Tammi. Tim and Jessica Bedell offered to teach roping to any members who want to participate. Next meeting February 12th at Marabou for meeting and tubing, Bedell's hosting.
Submitted by Cole Lujan
Thank Yous
A huge THANK YOU goes out to the Lufkin Family Endowment allowing us to take 7 members and two chaperones to the National Western Stock Show on an all expense paid trip! At the National Western Stock Show, we attended cattle shows, a pro rodeo, visited the CSU SPUR Campus, and toured the grounds!
Congratulations to Peyton Baker on competing at the National Western Stock Show! We are so proud of your efforts and the way you represent Routt County!
Thank you to the Routt County Fair Royalty, and all the other 4-H members who came out to represent Routt County 4-H at the Cowboy Downhill Petting Zoo!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our Routt County 4-H Program at The MusicFest this year! Congratulations to our lucky number 14 on winning!
Courtesy Posts
Strengthening Families 10-14 Program is the number one substance abuse prevention program. It is 7 weeks longs and for youth 10-14 years-old and their parents or caregivers. SFP 10-14 is FREE! DINNER AND CHILDCARE ARE PROVIDED A translator will be provided for any Spanish-speaking families. It is a proven effective, family inclusive program that promotes positive communication, family bonding, and joint problem-solving skills. Free 4 month Old Town Hot Springs membership included after attending 5 sessions. Start date February 5, 2023, Sundays from 12:00-2:30 pm. Location is at the South Routt Community Center, 227 Dodge Ave, Oak Creek, CO 80467.
Are you interested in learning more about sheep shearing? Moffat County Extension is hosting a 3 day Sheep Shearing School! Scholarships are accessible to 4-H and FFA members wanting to attend. Contact Megan for more info!
New Member Information
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!

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 8, 6-7pm - Mandatory New Member Dinner at the Steamboat Community Center. Come join us as we discuss important dates, outline the importance of 4-H, and experience a fun night of interactive booths.
4-H Monthly Moos - Do you have questions about the Routt County 4-H Program? Starting in January, Tami and Millie will be holding monthly Zoom Calls to help with all things 4-H! Monthly meetings will try to have a specific topic, but all questions are welcome anytime. 4-H Monthly Moos will start January 3th and will run on the first Tuesday of the month (besides July) at 6pm through August 1st.
  • February 7 - Prepping for the 4-H Year (important dates, upcoming events, time commitments)
  • March 7 - How can I guide myself through my project? But wait, I want to do more! Adding/Dropping Projects
  • April 4 - Animal IDs - What's needed, how do I do it, when are they due by?
  • May 2 - Test our knowledge!
  • June 6 - Yay! Record Books!
  • July 11 - Completion Weekend and Exhibit Day
  • August 1 - Fair 101
4-H Project Area Information
Practice Schedules -
  • Steamboat (coming soon)
  • Hayden (coming soon)
  • South Routt (Air Rifle and Air Pistol, others coming soon)

Important Shooting Sports Dates -
  • May 1 - Add/Drop deadline for all projects
  • July 6 - Completion Weekend Registration Due
  • July 16 - Shooting Sports Completion Weekend for Air Rifle, Air Pistol & .22 Pistol
  • July 22-23 - Shooting Sports Completion Weekend for .22 Rifle, Archery & Shotgun
  • July 26 - Exhibit Day

Leader Trainings - All workshops are tentative and may be cancelled or adjusted for reason including but not limited to low registration numbers, inclement weather, state health department restrictions, etc.

  • March 3-5, Morgan County - (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun) OPENS: 1/20/23 CLOSES: 2/17/23 See attached flyer!
  • March 10-12, Weld County – (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun) OPENS: 1/27/23 CLOSES: 2/24/23
  • March 17-19, Pueblo County – (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Hunting & Outdoor Skills, Western Heritage) OPENS: 2/3/23 CLOSES: 3/3/23
  • March 24-26, Garfield County - (Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Western Heritage) OPENS: 2/10/23 CLOSES: 3/10/23
Livestock Notes -
  • Colorado State Fair Nomination forms are available for pick-up at the Extension Office. Please make sure you understand all competition rules and requirements for the Colorado State Fair!
  • Thinking about choosing your animals for this year? Email Millie for a webinar highlighting how to pick out your perfect animal!
Beef Members -
  • February 12 - Beef Weigh In at the Routt County Fairgrounds.
  • $5/animal
  • Please have the Weigh In Form completed and your brand papers ready before arriving at the scale.
  • For more info regarding Spring Weigh-Ins, please visit our website!

Sheep Members -
  • There has been some question in the past as to what we meant by “extreme docking” in our member handbook. This year, with help from the FFA Advisors, Sheep Superintendents, and us here at the Extension Office, we decided to update the wording in the member handbook to make this rule more clear. The wording that we are using is coming straight from the Colorado State Fair Rulebook!
  • Extreme docking of lambs: (complete tail removal) is not an acceptable animal husbandry practice. We will be using the same rule for the Colorado State Fair regarding docking. Market Lambs shall show no evidence of surgical docking, prolapses, purse strings, sutures, etc. If any of these are evident in any sheep, that animal will be disqualified from the show
  • There will be a team of people checking lambs at spring, and fair weigh-ins

Goat Members -
  • This year, there will no longer be a separate meat breed and non-meat breed showmanship class for goats. There will be one showmanship class regardless of the breed of goat. The showmanship class will be judge on how you show and present your animal based on their breed standards.
Poultry Members -
Livestock Dates -
  • February 12 - Beef Weigh In at the Routt County Fairgrounds. Cost is $5/animal. Please have the Weigh In Form completed and your brand papers ready before arriving at the scale.
  • April 26 - Meat Quality Assurance and Livestock 101. All first year seniors and first year animal members are required to attend.
  • May 1 - Animal IDs due for Dog and Horse
  • May 1 - Add/Drop Date for all projects
  • May 8 - Sheep and Goat Weigh In at the Routt County Fairgrounds. Cost is $5/animal. Please have all your weigh in forms completed before arriving at the scale.
  • May 9 - Swine Weigh In at the Routt County Fairgrounds. Cost is $5/animal. Please have all your weigh in forms completed before arriving at the scale.
  • June 1 - Animal ID deadline for market beef, swine, sheep, and goat
  • June 12-13 - Northwest Colorado 4-H Expo Horse and Dog
  • June 15-16 - Northwest Colorado 4-H Expo Livestock, Poultry and Rabbit
  • July 1 - Animal ID deadline for ALL breeding animals
  • July 11 - Registration deadline for Fair
  • August 9 - Fair Clean-Up/Set-Up Day
  • August 11-20 - Routt County Fair
  • September 19 - Animal/Livestock Record Books Due
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 1st - Beef Blow N Go Show in El Paso County. More information here!
  • August 24th-27th - Colorado State Fair 4-H Championship Horse Show in Pueblo Colorado.
2022-2023 Record Books can be downloaded here!

Pages that can be completed NOW -
Pages to be working on through project -

Record Book Tips -
  1. Keep columns Consistent
  2. Add more pages as needed
  3. Dates need to be in chronological order
  4. Read all page directions completely and carefully
  5. NEVER leave a page blank

Important Record Book Dates -
  • October 1 - Start of 4-H Year
  • June 6 - Monthly Moo Topic: Yay! Record Books!
  • June - Record Book Check from Club Leaders
  • September 19 - Animal/Livestock Record Books Due
Robotics Schedule - All members must be enrolled and attending practices by January 26th in order to participate in the Routt County Robotics Program!

Blues Break Camp - February 21-22 at the Bud Werner Memorial Library Hall, 9am-3pm
  • Learn something new over Blues Break! Try sewing, fiber arts, and cake decorating at our day camp with local craft experts! Open for 3rd-5th Graders!
  • Registration is now open until filled. To reserve your spot please complete a registration form and pay. You can choose from a day of Sewing or a day of Felting & Cake Decorating. The cost is $25 per day (or $20 for 4-H members). Click HERE to download a registration form. You can pay online at this LINK.

Important Dates -
  • May 1 - Add/Drop Date for all projects
  • July 11 - Registration deadline for Exhibit Day
  • July 26 - Exhibit Day
Routt County 4-H Leadership Opportunities

Routt County 4-H Council - Did you know that you can hold 4-H officer positions at the club, county, district and state level? Our 4-H council meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month (every other month) across Routt County. At these meetings county wide information is shared including updates to the handbook, voting on the buckle/reserve champion awards, sale committee updates, upcoming events and more. All members are encouraged to attend the 4-H Council meetings and at least two representatives from each club attend each meeting.
  • March 1 - 4-H Council meeting 6pm at Exhibit Hall in Hayden
  • May 3 - 4-H Council meeting 6pm at Soroco High School
  • July 5 - 4-H Council meeting 7pm at Exhibit Hall in Hayden

Routt County Jr. Leader - Are you interested in being an ambassador of Routt County 4-H? Our Junior Leaders help put on all 4-H Events in the county, while learning new leadership skills along the way. All senior aged (14-18 year old) members are encouraged to come and learn more about the Jr. Leadership Program. The Jr. Leaders meet monthly in the Trout Creek Room!
  • February 15 - 6pm
  • March 15th - 6pm
  • May 24th- 6pm
  • June 14th- 6pm
  • July 12- 6pm

Leadership Conferences - attend different conferences around the state!
  • March 31-April 2 - District Retreat in Glenwood Springs for ages 10-18. Register online! Registration opens February 6th, closes March 6th!

Routt County 4-H Fun Day - June 7th at the Kvol's Ranch for ages 8-13. Your Jr. Leaders have a fun packed day of STEM activities, games, crafts, dancing and great food.
Leaders
Important Updates -
  • Please include Tami and Millie in all 4-H Club related correspondence.
  • Enrollment is OPEN on 4-H Online!
  • Please Re-enroll as a 4-H Leader ASAP!
  • Any members attending meetings and/or holding club officer positions must be enrolled in the current 4-H Year.

Upcoming Dates -
  • February 1, 7pm, Leaders Meeting please see Zoom link in email sent from Tami!
  • February 12, Beef Weigh-In at the Routt County Fairgrounds from 12:30-2:30pm.
  • March 4, Routt County 4-H Ski Day

Leader Trainings -
Routt County CSU Extension - 4-H