The 2016 Pikes Peak Posse will again ride to the Colorado State Fair on Aug. 30.

El Paso County Commissioners and many other elected officials and business leaders will travel to Pueblo by bus, where we will meet up with the governor and other dignitaries for some informal, powerful and friendly dialogue. This unique event supports the young men and women who participate in the 4-H and FFA livestock programs, by bidding on the labors of their award-winning projects. We engage in a little friendly competitive bidding in an effort to ensure that these kids can further their higher educational pursuits.

In years past, too many have not taken advantage of this incredible access to Denver political and business leaders, and our hope is that more of Colorado Springs’ leaders will choose to do so this year.

We will gather at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame at 11 a.m. for some pre-festivity snacks and refreshments, then we will leave at 1 p.m., arriving at the state fairgrounds by 2 p.m. The mingling and networking along with the state fair buffet at the Events Center continues until the sale begins at 3:30 p.m. The itinerary is available on the website: pikespeakposse.com.

The cost for business leaders to participate remains the same at $500 per seat on the bus; please register online at pikespeakposse.com. Bring your shirt from last year; if you need a shirt please note the details on the registration form.

We are gathering sponsors, and if you are interested please take a look at the sponsorship details on the website.

We are pleased to announce that Taco Bell and Affordable Fuels have agreed to sponsor the event this year along with The Gazette, Rampart Distributing and Pepsi. Note that your sponsorship also provides seats on the bus.

If you are interested in extraordinary meat for the freezer, the Posse allows a unique opportunity. Just let us know if you want a whole animal, half third or a quarter and we will attempt to accommodate. The Posse will purchase the animal at the sale, then you will have the opportunity to purchase the animal at the state fair buy back price plus processing.

We have established a new sponsorship category – bid sponsors – in an effort to increase the pot a little to help us be more competitive with the Denver Rustlers and the like. If you are interested, please consider becoming a bid sponsor.

Join the Posse for the trip, consider a sponsorship, check out the benefits of membership and participate in supporting and encouraging the great kids that are engaged in 4-H and FFA.

For further information please contact Diedre Smith at 719-377-3564. We plan to see you at the fair! We sincerely appreciate your participation and support.

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John Suthers is mayor of Colorado Springs.