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August 22 - September 1, 2025

Fun Things to Do in Summer in Colorado

The Colorado State Fair is one of the most popular attractions in the summer. Every year at the end of August, Coloradans travel from across the state to Pueblo to attend this exciting 11-day event.   

In this article, we’ll go over outdoor activities and fun things to do in summer at the Colorado State Fair.  

Camping   

If you’re visiting Pueblo from afar and want to stay in town for several days to enjoy the fair, camping is a fun and affordable alternative to expensive hotel rooms. Nothing beats waking up in the morning and going straight to the fair, and then having a nearby place to sleep after a long day of fun!   

Guests who are participants in any of the Colorado State Fair’s shows and competitions are welcome to camp directly on the fairgrounds in the Horsemen/Livestock Lot. However, if you’re not a participant in the fair, but would still like to camp nearby, a great alternative campground is near Lake Minnequa, which is just a few miles south of the fairgrounds.   

Outdoor Activities in Pueblo   

If you plan on taking a trip to Pueblo to attend the Colorado State Fair, there are plenty of additional outdoor attractions you can visit along the way!   

  • The Pueblo Zoo – with over 420 animals and more than 140 different species, this zoo is a great “bonus” attraction to visit before or after visiting the petting zoo at the Colorado State Fair!    
  • Lake Pueblo State Park – a large, pristine lake that’s great for fishing, camping, swimming, etc. Jet ski rentals are also available for a fun ride on the water.
  • Historic Arkansas Riverwalk – a scenic trail along the river for a pleasant foot tour along the most beautiful parts of Pueblo. Just a few miles from the fairgrounds! 
  • Pueblo Museums – including the Railway Museum, History Museum, and Rosemont Museum (the latter is located inside an impressive 37-room Victorian house built in 1893!).  

3 men playing music during an outdoor concert as part of fun things to do in summer at the Colorado State FairOutdoor Live Music   

There’s nothing like listening to beautiful live music outdoors on a warm summer evening. That’s why we have a wide variety of live outdoor music at the Colorado State Fair every year.   

The Bud Light Grandstand is a rodeo arena during the day, but it turns into an outdoor music venue in the evening. Every year, people buy tickets to see several of the country’s top musicians perform here.   

If you don’t want to buy tickets, don’t fret! Indie musicians from around Colorado also travel to the fair every year to put on incredible live performances for free. So whatever your preference, and no matter your budget, you’re sure to enjoy the beautiful tunes here.   

 

Colorado Rodeo 

Every year, rodeo fans mark their calendars and wait in anticipation to attend one of the biggest and most exciting rodeo events in all of Colorado!   

We take rodeo seriously at the Colorado State Fair and offer a wide variety of exciting rodeo events, including:   

  • A cowboy on a bucking bronco during the rodeo at the Colorado State Fair

    Barrel Racing, where the rider must guide their horse around a clover-shaped track, performing a perfect circle around three different barrels at full-speed without knocking the barrels over. An incredible display of coordination between rider and horse. 
  • Tie-down (also known as calf roping), where a cowboy must lasso a calf and restrain it before it gets away. A great show of accuracy and skill! 
  • Team roping, where two cowboys work together to restrain a calf — one lassoing it by the horns and the other by a back leg. This requires great coordination and teamwork. 
  • Steer wrestling, where a brave cowboy leaps off his horse and attempts to wrestle a full-grown steer to the ground! An impressive display of raw strength combined with technique. 
  • Bronc riding, where a cowboy attempts to ride a wild and aggressive bucking horse without falling off. 
  • Bull riding, where a tough-as-nails cowboy mounts a muscular bull and attempts to hold on for dear life — using only one hand as it violently thrashes around! One of the most difficult (and dangerous) events in the rodeo.  

Carnival Rides   

A trip to the fair wouldn’t be complete without going on a few carnival rides!   

If you’re looking for the fright of your life, get your thrill on by going on the terrifying Hi-Roller, Zipper, or Super Shot rides — which utilize high speed, dizzying spins, and extreme heights.   

If you prefer less-scary rides, the classic Ferris Wheel, Carousel, and Bumper Cars are timeless favorites among both children and adults.   

Whatever your preference, there’s a wide variety of exciting rides at the Colorado State Fair that make going to the carnival the perfect outdoor activity in the summer.   

Fair food at the Colorado State Fair

Carnival Food   

A mention of summer activities wouldn’t be complete without talking about the delicious selection of carnival food!   

It might feel sinful to indulge in the deep-fried goodness that is carnival food, but it’s a delicious treat that is only available once per year, so you might as well eat to your heart’s content!   

If you’re looking to satisfy your hunger with a savory meal, you might consider a smoked turkey leg, which is a massive, delicious hunk of meat that will satiate even the hungriest fairgoer! One of our most popular foods. 

Oh, and don’t forget to try one of our famous Sloppers! If you’re not familiar, a Slopper is an open-faced cheeseburger that’s drenched in green chili, and it’s unique to the local Pueblo area. A must-try if you want to get the full Pueblo tourist experience!   

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something cold and sweet to relieve the summer heat, you might consider getting some ice cream!   

Whatever your preference, whether savory or sweet, the Colorado State Fair has all the delicious carnival food you could ask for.   

Enjoy Amazing & Fun Things to Do in Summer at the Colorado State Fair!  

Taking a trip to the Colorado State Fair is one of the most fun things you can do in the summer. From jamming out to soul-soothing live music to watching exciting rodeo shows and indulging in delicious fair food, there are countless ways to have fun.   

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience this summer, come visit the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo. If you have any questions or would like more information, give us a call at 719-561-8484. 

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