Colorado is where the mountains meet the plains—where people are influenced by expansive natural worlds and intimate big-city nooks. The Colorado State Fair Poetry Competition offers a space to bring these elements together in words—a place where the experienced poet meets the burgeoning poet. Writers of all ages are called upon to enter the annual Colorado State Fair Poetry Competition. The competition will conclude with a reading during the Colorado State Fair to give winning poets and finalists the opportunity to share their work.
In-person entry registration Office Hours 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays between June 15th and July 22nd.
In-person entry registration will be in the General Entry & Fine Arts office in the Northeast corner of the Palace of Agriculture (where it has been in prior years).
2026 Poetry Important Dates
| June 15 | Entry Registration Opens |
| July 22 | Entry Form & Fee Deadline |
| August 10 | Online Only Entry Form & Fee Deadline Extension |
| August 10 | Deadline poems must be received digitally |
| September 2 at 6:00 pm | Poetry Reading in Fine Arts Building |