The Larimer County Fair and PRCA Rodeo Parade will take community members on a march “Through the Decades” this Saturday as participants and paradegoers alike celebrate the 140th anniversary of the fair and the 75th year of the PRCA Rodeo.

Colorado State University’s Interim Vice President for Engagement and Extension Kathay Rennels will have the honor of leading the festivities as the parade’s grand marshal.

“Being chosen as the grand marshall is truly an honor,” Rennels said.  “I feel very representative of all of the amazing people in agriculture and in Larimer County who were dedicated to the youth and people of our communities. It is humbling to represent years of people’s dedication.”   

Rennels grew up on a ranch in Colorado and she and her husband, Darell, continue to ranch in Livermore, just northwest of Fort Collins. Rennels has spent her life giving back to her community in the county she calls home, having previously served three terms as a Larimer County commissioner and co-leader of the Food and Agriculture Key Industry Network for the state of Colorado.  

After her election as county commissioner in 1999, Rennels worked to build the new Larimer County Courthouse, the Larimer County Justice Center, and the Sheriff’s Office building. She also worked with the fairgrounds task force to advance the development of the Larimer County Fairgrounds and Events Complex.  

Rennels’ support for the agricultural industry has continued throughout her career, including her work on projects highlighting Colorado’s emerging agricultural innovation sector and the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy. In 2015, she planned and implemented the first annual “Advancing the Agriculture Economy Through Innovation” summit, now known as the CSU AgInnovation Summit.   

Rennels was named CSU’s interim vice president for Engagement and Extension in July 2022 and since 2019 has served as special advisor to the chancellor of the CSU System on rural-urban issues where her focus has been bridging the divide between Colorado communities and expanding access to programs and opportunities for rural Coloradans.  

She has also served on the Northern Colorado Economic Development Council and through the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, El Pomar Foundation, The Matthews House, Larimer County United Way, Colorado Youth Conservation Association and National Institute of Science Manufacturing Extension Partnership.