The Chaffee County 4-H community gathered on September 28, 2025 for the 2025 4-H Achievement Celebration, an afternoon of recognition, awards, and celebration of the year’s accomplishments. More than 115 youth and volunteers, along with families, community leaders, and sponsors, came together at the annual event themed the “4-H All Stars Ice Cream Social.” The program, sponsored by the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center, highlighted the achievements of local 4-H members in areas ranging from livestock and equine projects to STEM, creative arts, culinary arts, and leadership. 2025 Chaffee County Fair Indoor Grand Champions were awarded with belt buckles: Chase Shellabarger (Creative Arts), Tanner Shellabarger (Family Consumer Science), Leah Howard (Animal Sciences), Paisley Miller (STEM), and Raymond Harvey (Shooting Sports.) Indoor Reserve Grand Champion belt buckle awardees were: Josiah Walker (Creative Arts), Liberty Wertz (Family Consumer Science), Abigail Tapp (Animal Sciences), Liberty Wertz (STEM), and Tristan Jones (shooting sports). The Grand Indoor Supreme award went to Tanner Shellabarger and the Reserve Grand Indoor Supreme award went to Liberty Wertz. At the 2025 Colorado State Fair, Chaffee County sent 48 indoor projects, a 50% increase from 2024 entries. There were also three entries in the digital photography contest, two entries in the state dog trials, and one family entered into market goats. Exhibits placed 1st through 3rd are listed below.
Sevi Blue Archery Display Board 3rd Place
Rainy Bowyer Digital Animal Photo Contest 3rd Place
Brier Burns Crochet Scarf 3rd Place
Brier Burns Foods & nutrition – quick bread 2nd Place
Ian Helland Robots inspired by nature project 1st Place
Leah Howard Gardening herb project 2nd Place
Chase Shellabarger Leather truck console cover 3rd Place
Tanner Shellabarger Basketweave cake 2nd Place
Abigail Tapp Bees & honey making project 1st Place
Evan Tapp Metal firewood rack 3rd Place
Josiah Walker Hummingbird moth photo 3rd Place
Liberty Wertz Alpine cross stitch project 2nd Place
4-H record books are how 4-H’ers learn important qualities such as timeliness, responsibility, attention to detail, financial literacy, and goal-setting. Brier Burns, Kaimana Lancaster, and Carly Swango were recognized for top junior age division record books. Logan Scanga, Robert Hahn, and Addilyn Miller received the top scores for intermediate record books. Senior reserve record book award went to Colton Criswell and Sydney Rohrich received the top senior record book score. Liberty Wertz’s Secretary book for County Council was the top placing, as well as Treasurer record books from Robert Hahn, Paisley Miller, & Jason LaRue.
Rate-of-Gain is based on the highest average daily weight gain of a 4-H market animal from spring weigh-in to county fair. The rate of gain is important because it can help a 4-H’er understand the importance of feed efficiency, economic efficiency, breed and genetic evaluation, and market readiness. The spring beef weigh-in was held on January 26. The spring sheep, goat, and swine weigh in was held on April 27. The weigh-in at Fair was held on July 30. First place Beef Rate of Gain was awarded to Logan Scanga and second place was Addison Mize. First place Swine Rate of Gain was awarded to Chase Shellabarger and second place was Tanner Shellabarger. First place Sheep Rate of Gain was awarded to Shae Lewis and second place was Elizabeth Tapp. Rainy Bowyer and London Green tied for first place Goat Rate of Gain. Sponsored by Scanga Meat, livestock carcass and ultrasound contest winners received trophies. The winners of that contest were Ethan Schwarz (swine), Evan Tapp (sheep), Rainy Bowyer
(goat), and Avrie Taverna (beef). Rainy Bower also placed first in the state market goat ultrasound contest. Supreme Livestock awards are compiled from points in five categories: live placing, rate of gain when applicable, record book, written test, and carcass/ultrasound contest. Supreme Livestock winners were Avrie Taverna (beef), Chase Shellabarger (swine), Elizabeth Tapp (sheep), Rainy Bowyer (goat), Courtnee Palmer (rabbit), and Ian Helland (poultry). Reserve Supreme Livestock winners were Logan Scanga (beef), Tanner Shellabarger (swine), Evan Tapp (sheep), Sydney Rohrich (goat), Emma Eaton (rabbit), and Cash Courson (poultry). Volunteers were honored for their dedication to the 4-H program through their time and expertise. Eight first year leaders (Ashley Cooper, Jake Farber, Jenny Feicht, Kate Howard, Kathy Rohrich, Marty Glapa, Matt Harutun, and Tina Stringfellow) were recognized. Glen Egbert celebrated five years of volunteer service and Michele Warner-Anderson achieved 10 years of service. Ashley Cooper was named the 2025 Outstanding Leader of the Year. The Above & Beyond the Call of Duty award was given to Kail Glenn. Tim & Lisa Glenn were named the Friends of 4-H for the year. The Outstanding 4-H Alumni Award was given to Molly McMurry. Nancy Roberts was recognized for her dedication to the Paw Prints 4-H Club as she retired from 4-H club leadership roles and the 2025 Outstanding Administrative Support award for the Mountain Region of CSU Extension was given to Janella Martinez.
New in 2025, the 4-H Resume Program honored members for their broader leadership and academic accomplishments. Recognition was given to 2025 Chaffee County Fair winners for horse project, dog project, market livestock projects, and shooting sports projects. Finally, groups such as the Chaffee County Commissioners, Chaffee County Fairgrounds staff, Chaffee
County Fair Committee, and others were recognized by the youth-led 4-H County Council for their support of 4-H programs.
“4-H is about helping young people gain skills for life,” said Rebecca Sheriff, Chaffee & Lake County 4-H Specialist. “This celebration is a chance to recognize not only project awards, but the growth, responsibility, and leadership our youth and volunteers display throughout the year.” The Chaffee County 4-H program is made possible through the support of sponsors, families, volunteers, and community partners. For more than 100 years, 4-H has empowered youth across Colorado to learn, lead, and serve their communities. In Chaffee and Lake Counties, more than 130 members participate in projects, fairs, camps, and service activities each year. Enrollment opened for the 2025-2026 4-H year on October 1, 2025. Enrollment in 4-H to participate in County Fair 2026 concludes on January 8, 2026. Contact the Chaffee County Extension Office at 719-539-6447 to learn more about 4-H and to enroll.