More Than $508,000 raised to Benefit Colorado Youth during Colorado’s Electric Cooperatives Junior Livestock Auction

The 2025 Colorado’s Electric Cooperatives Junior Livestock Sale held yesterday at the Colorado State Fair raised more than $508,000 in the auction of 102 animals raised and shown by young people from across Colorado. The 2025 Grand Champion Market Beef, raised by Jake King of Washington County, was purchased for $45,000 by the Sam Brown Family. The Kings are a family of champions: this was the second year in a row that Jake showed the winning steer and his sister Joslyn showed the Grand Champion Market Beef in 2021. 

“Making it to the Junior Livestock Auction is a great accomplishment,” said Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg. “Raising livestock teaches so many skills, including leadership, best animal husbandry practices, responsibility and more. I’m so proud of all the exhibitors for their dedication and hard work.”

At the Junior Livestock Sale, youth exhibitors who’ve placed the highest during the Colorado State Fair livestock competitions have a chance to sell their animals to the highest bidders. Buyer groups who bid on the animals come from across Colorado and use the sale as an opportunity to support the hardworking youth exhibitors from 4-H and FFA. 

“The Colorado State Fair highlights the hard work and dedication our state’s young people put into raising their animals along with preserving the agricultural heritage of our state” said Colorado State Fair General Manager Andrea Wiesnmeyer. “We’re grateful for all of the generous buyers who came out to support the next generation of Colorado farmers and ranchers.”

The junior livestock sale is instrumental in supporting the future of Colorado’s agribusiness, as it demonstrates the importance of raising quality livestock and the work required of those who pursue careers in agriculture. The auctioneer and master of ceremonies for the event was John Korrey, who has donated his time as MC for the past 27 years. 

This year, the exhibitors and buyer groups also rallied around one of their own. Dominic Maldonado (Weld County), whose market lamb placed 1st for Black Face Medium Heavy, unexpectedly lost his father only four days before leaving for the state fair. 

To support him through this tough time, many youth exhibitors donated partial proceeds from the sale of their own animals to benefit the Maldonado family. They also collected donations from people around the state and country and presented Dominic with a check that will go into a trust for him to finish high school and graduate. Anyone interested in donating to Dominic Maldonado can do so through the state fair’s Online JLS Add-on form. 

The Junior Livestock Auction Grand and Reserve Grand Champions for each animal species sold are listed below. A complete list of all winners will be posted on the Colorado State Fair website soon.