FAQS

2026 Arapahoe County Fair Hours*
July 23, 2026; 4 p.m.-Midnight
July 24, 2026; 11 a.m.-Midnight
July 25, 2026; 11 a.m.-Midnight
July 26, 2026; 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Indoor Building Hours:
July 23-July 26, 2026: 11 a.m.-8p.m.*
*Main Hall Closes on Sunday, July 26 at 5 p.m. for project release
Indoor Restroom Access available all open Fair hours.

*Fair entry gate and ticket sales close at 11 p.m. on July 23-25th and 9:30 p.m. on July 26th

Important note: Fair tickets are non-refundable, and the event is held rain or shine. Saturday is the busiest day of the Fair and attendees should know that the Fair gates, general grounds, and parking lots may close if capacity limits are reached. No refunds are issued for capacity closures. 

You can redeem your ticket two ways.

1) Print your ticket and show it at the gate.
2) Show bar code proof of purchase on a smart phone.

We will not have record of your online purchase at the gate. There is no admittance if you do not have a printed ticket or proof of purchase on your phone.

Most vendors take cash and credit. Mutton' Bustin does require payment by cash or venmo.
ATMs are available on site. Please refer to the Event Map for locations.

Yes. Mutton Bustin' has a $15 entry fee for competition that can be paid by CASH or VENMO. However, you can watch the shows for FREE. Please register in person to compete 45 minutes prior to each show. Not to exceed 50lbs.

Unlimited Carnival Rides, Drone Show, Rodeos, Tractor Pulls, Roaming Entertainment, Petting Farm, Kids Corral, Heritage Hall, BMX Entertainment, 4-H shows at the livestock pavilion, Main Stage Entertainment, Public Competitions, and More.

*Midway games, Mutton Bustin, Food, and Beverages are additional cost. Vendors may have items for purchase.

*Boots Not Suits is a separate ticketed event. Please visit the TICKETS page to purchase.

There is no fee for parking at the Arapahoe County Fair. We strongly encourage carpooling to the Fair.

Handicap and ride share drop-off parking is available.
For questions about vendor, exhibitor, or entertainer parking, please email Fairgrounds@arapahoegov.com

Yes, you can get a ride share service to or from the Fair. Please look for signs that say Ride Share near the main entrance. This location is also where all drop-offs/pickups should occur.

No. Pursuant to Section 4 (B) of the Arapahoe County Open Spaces Rules and Regulations and in consideration of the safety of fair attendees, Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) are not allowed at the Fairgrounds during the County Fair.
OHVs are not street legal and are designed to travel on wheels or tracks in contact with the ground.

For more information, please visit: https://www.arapahoecountyfair.com/p/pages/arapahoe-county-open-spaces-rules-and-regulations

No. Pursuant to Section 4 (B) of the Arapahoe County Open Spaces Rules and Regulations and in consideration of the safety of fair attendees, e-motos are not allowed at the Fairgrounds during the County Fair.

For more information, please visit: https://www.arapahoecountyfair.com/p/pages/arapahoe-county-open-spaces-rules-and-regulations

For those with mobility concerns, portions of the Fair and Fairgrounds are on uneven ground and may not be readily accessible. The Event Center, however, is accessible. We will work to provide those attendees who have mobility issues with accommodations when possible. Please contact our event staff at Fairgrounds@Arapahoegov.com to discuss arranging for an accommodation. Please note that not all requests can be accommodated; however, the County staff will work with you to try to reach a reasonable accommodation.

Arapahoe County follows current guidance from Arapahoe County Public Health for the health and safety of staff and fairgoers to reduce the spread of illness. Guidance is in alignment with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recommendations.

-Fairgrounds staff and midway ride operators perform regular cleaning of rides, restrooms, and other high-touch surface areas.
-Fairgoers are encouraged to wash hands frequently or apply hand sanitizer (available throughout the Fairgrounds), especially after touching animals and before eating.
-Food vendors must comply with all Arapahoe County Public Health cleaning and sanitization protocols.
-Fairgrounds staff and fairgoers are both encouraged to stay home if not feeling well and consider speaking with their doctors for any testing recommendations.
-We will update this website if there any restrictions in place during the Fair.

• Extreme Heat: Temps are expected to reach the low 90s during the Fair. Stay hydrated (water is best), use sunscreen, and know the signs of heat-related illness (heavy sweating, short of breath, dizziness, headaches, weakness, nausea, muscle cramps). Take breaks in the shade or air conditioning (hello Heritage Hall!) and never leave children or pets in a hot car where temps can skyrocket in minutes.

• Insect and Wildlife Safety: Colorado is home to amazing wildlife but remember to keep your distance and protect yourself. Guard against mosquitoes and West Nile virus with bug repellant, wear proper clothing to cover yourself, and know that mosquitoes like to mingle most at dusk. Snakes and other wildlife are also no strangers to Arapahoe County’s plains, including the Fairgrounds. Leave them be if you cross paths; wear long pants and closed-toe shoes and call 911 if you are bit. Remember that there’s a first aid station inside the main Fairgrounds building.

• Food Safety: Did you know Arapahoe County Public Health food inspectors inspect not only the food booths and tents you see at the Fair, but the mobile food trucks as well? Do your part by washing hands before you eat or using hand sanitizers/wipes—especially if you visit the petting farm first! Be mindful of cooling and heating guidelines for any food you bring or buy.

•Learn more at www.arapahoeco.gov/SummerSafety

Important note: Fair tickets are non-refundable, and the event is held rain or shine. Saturday is the busiest day of the Fair and attendees should know that the Fair gates, general grounds, and parking lots may close if capacity limits.

Daily Fair tickets are non-refundable. Event is rain or shine.

To ensure the safety of fairgoers severe weather may cause entertainment and rides to temporarily shut down. Once inclement weather has passed, entertainment and rides will resume as approved by Fair management. If you leave the Fair due to inclement weather, you may reenter the Fair with your wristband that same day.

The wristband you redeem will be valid to reenter on the same day you redeem your ticket. If you would like to come back another day, you will have to purchase another entry ticket.

Children must be at least 36" to ride carnival rides. Children under 36" will not have to purchase a ticket to enter the Fair. All fairgoers over this height must purchase a ticket to enter the fair. Children 37" - 42" have limited rides available and some require an adult to accompany them on the ride.
Carnival riding is UNLIMITED!
The carnival is just one feature of the Fair. If you do not wish to ride, we encourage you to enjoy other entertainment offered.

The carnival is just one feature of the Fair. If you do not wish to ride, we encourage you to enjoy our full lineup of entertainment on the Main Stage, Rodeos, Kids Corral activity area, 4-H exhibits and shows, Public Competitions, tractor pulls, and so much more!

**Midway Games are an additional cost**

Fair management discourages bringing dogs or pets to the County Fair and associated grounds. Service animals and animals associated with competitors or entertainers are allowed within the Fairgrounds and Event Center.

Food and beverage in a cooler is allowed (no glass containers or alcoholic beverages).
Purses and small backpacks are allowed.
Umbrellas are allowed.
Lawn chairs or stadium/bleacher cushions are allowed.
Be sure to keep all personal items with you, the Fairgrounds is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please be courteous to others when using an umbrella during a spectator event and do not use lawn chairs in designated handicap areas.

Yes! We recommend two hotels that are close to the Fairgrounds.

Fairfield Inn and Suites- Marriott
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/denas-fairfield-inn-and-suites-denver-aurora-parker/

Doubletree- Hilton
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/denitdt-doubletree-denver-aurora/?SEO_id=GMB-DT-DENITDT

The Arapahoe County Fairgrounds has a designated free speech area for events. The area will be near the entrance and clearly marked.

The Arapahoe County Fair and Signature Events are organized as a family event and operated for educational purposes to encourage and promote agricultural, horticultural, livestock, and other activities.

Arapahoe County retains control and management of the Arapahoe County Fair, the Fairgrounds and Event Center, and associated grounds, buildings, structures, facilities, or property (the “Fairgrounds”) at all times, and will have the right at all times to enforce these Rules and Regulations, the Open Spaces Rules and Regulations, the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds Policies and Procedures, and any laws, rules, ordinances, or regulations of local, state, or federal government (the “Rules and Regulations”). Arapahoe County will use all reasonable care to ensure the safety of the animals, exhibits, exhibitors, and Event patrons, but under no circumstances shall Arapahoe County be responsible in any way for any loss or injury to any person exhibiting, assisting with, or attending the Fair. Arapahoe County has the right to eject all persons who fail or refuses to comply with the Rules and Regulations covering entry to the Fair, Signature Event, and use of the Fairgrounds including the prohibitions enumerated below and such persons may be subject to fine and/or criminal prosecution under Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 18-9-101, et seq., including 18-9-110 and 18-9-117.

1. No sale, consumption, or possession of alcohol is authorized in the Fairgrounds, except where sold by licensed personnel and so long as consumed within the confines of the Arapahoe County Fair or Signature Event.
2. No unauthorized carrying or discharging firearms or weapons of any kind is allowed. Paintball, BB, pellet, air, blowguns, rocket slingshots, crossbows, martial arts weapons, fireworks, and explosives are prohibited on the Fairgrounds.
3. No smoking on the Fairgrounds, except in a designated smoking area.
4. No noisemakers or sound-making devices such as whistles or air horns will be permitted in the Fairgrounds.
5. No glass containers may be brought into the Fairgrounds.
6. No pets are allowed into the Fairgrounds with the exception of service animals.
7. No bicycles, skateboards, roller blades, or scooters are allowed within the Fairgrounds or associated midway.
8. No drones or other radio controlled aircraft are permitted to take off or land on the Fairgrounds. The observation of any such craft will be reported to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
9. No person shall engage in disorderly conduct, fighting, vandalism, illegal activity, or in any other conduct which may be reasonably expected to substantially interfere with the use and enjoyment of the Fairgrounds, or which may otherwise constitute a general public nuisance.
10. No person shall engage in foul, obscene, or abusive language or actions.
11. No motor vehicles may be parked outside designated areas.
12. No personal golfcarts are allowed in the Fairgrounds. Operation of Fair golfcarts are restricted in areas of the midway or in pedestrian travel areas during Fair hours of operation.
13. No camping is allowed in the Fairgrounds, except by permit in areas designated by Fair Management.
14. No politicking, campaigning, or circulating of petitions is permitted, except within specific area(s) designated by Fair Management.
15. No solicitation of merchandise, food, or beverage and handing out of fliers, pamphlets or other information is allowed outside of designated vendor spaces. Vendor space must be rented and a valid agreement for the current Arapahoe County Fair must be in place with Fair Management.
16. No staff or volunteers shall accept or encourage any special considerations, discounts, tips, or free merchandise or food from any of the food, commercial vendors, or the public.
17. No professional/commercial audio and/or video recording or photography is allowed in the Fairgrounds, except when pre-approved by Fair Management through a valid service agreement. Guests are welcome to bring phones, cameras and other recording devices for personal use.

For the full Open Space Rules and Regulations, please visit:

https://www.arapahoecountyfair.com/p/pages/arapahoe-county-open-spaces-rules-and-regulations