2023 Colorado State Fair in Pueblo sees highest number of attendees since 2011

The 2023 Colorado State Fair beat the heat to become the best attended fair since 2011.

Nearly 510,000 people visited the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo this year, according to unaudited numbers shared with the Chieftain by state fair staff. That’s an increase from the 461,104 people that visited in 2022 and is the highest attendance number since 515,995 fairgoers bought tickets in 2011.

The banner year marks the fourth time more than 500,000 people attended the state fair since 2005. It also previously reached and surpassed that number in 2010 and 2015, when 517,140 and 500,207 people visited the fair, respectively.

This year’s number — 509,156 — fell short of that total but came awfully close despite persistent rain during the fair’s first three days and hotter-than-expected conditions throughout the final weekend.

“The weather was definitely not on our side,” said Scott Stoller, general manager of the Colorado State Fair. “But as we went through the fair, it was great to see all those people show up and support it despite the weather. I think people also came to check out the new improvements at the fairgrounds, but it's very encouraging and exciting to see that many people chose us this year.”

Attendance during the first three days was more than 14,000 people short of the amount of visitors who had attended last year’s fair at that point, but fairgoers came out in droves between Monday, Aug. 28, and Friday, Sept. 1. There were more visitors each of those days than there were during the same period last year.

Stoller said the state fair sold more than 66,000 commemorative pre-sale tickets, which were accounted for throughout the 11-day fair but especially helped boost attendance numbers on Monday, Aug. 28, and the Tuesday and Wednesday thereafter. Attendance climbed to 51,983 Thursday because of comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias’ sold-out show that evening, he said.

Attendees throughout the fair’s final weekend outpaced last year’s numbers, including the 77,734 that came out for Fiesta Day, Sept. 3. The state fair closed with 28,366 visitors on Labor Day, which was the tail end of a five-day stretch in which temperatures at times neared and reached 100 degrees.

“You just assume based on that forecast that you’re going to see smaller daytime numbers and it just didn’t (happen),” Stoller said. “People came out and I think they know how we have a lot of indoor space that’s cooled.”

Some of the early rain and late heat, however, likely impacted carnival revenue, Stoller said. Last year, the carnival generated a record $2,096,440 in revenue, but this year's earnings were down 5%.

More: Relive the 2023 Colorado State Fair in Pueblo through these photos

Specials, ticketed shows and food sales also saw big numbers

Food and beverage sales set a new record, producing almost $4 million in revenue, a 9% increase from last year. Ticketed shows including concerts, rodeos and motorsports were up 33% in revenue compared to the 2022 fair. The Los Tigres Del Norte show on Fiesta Day was the largest earner, picking up nearly $400,000 in ticket sales.

A pair of first-year specials were received well, Stoller said. Almost 10,000 pounds of food was donated as part of the “Two Can Tuesday'' discount that was offered on Aug. 29. Early daytime crowds on both Fridays were noticeable because of the $5 admission and $5 food items that were available on those days until 5 p.m., he said.

There were more entries this year in the Fine Arts competition, which is something Stoller said he was thrilled with because it means fair staff is achieving its goal to get more people to engage with the state fair’s programs.

The Colorado State Fair in 2021 brought in an estimated $55.5 million to Pueblo’s economy, and though state fair staff won’t know an exact number of this year’s output immediately, Stoller said that number doesn’t vary much year-to-year.

Fairgoers at the 2024 state fair can expect additional improvements to the state fair’s main entrance as well as other potential changes that the fair might introduce based on feedback it collected from this year’s iteration, Stoller said. The state fair also has other ongoing developments based on its four-phase, 30-year master plan.

“We’re going to have to go through our review process, but I know financially (this year’s fair) is going to be a success and participation level is a success,” Stoller said. “We’re really excited about it and it gives us something to build off for next year. Hopefully the momentum keeps going and growing.”

Chieftain reporter Josue Perez can be reached at JHPerez@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @josuepwrites. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain atsubscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: 2023 Colorado State Fair in Pueblo sees 12-year high in attendance