The Colfax County Fair Association has announced that the 2020 Woman-of-the-Year is Betsy Trujillo Lovato.
Born September 1, 1956, Betsy spent her childhood on the Vallejo Ranch west of Miami, New Mexico. She attended school in Springer, graduating in 1974 and then went on to attend Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM. While at Eastern, she was a member of the ENMU Rodeo Team, and remains a member of the ENMU Alumni Association and continues to assist with the annual rodeo held in Portales.
Betsy went to work as a classification officer in Roswell, NM, and while there she met her future husband, Jimmy, and they will mark 37 years together this December. The couple then worked in Las Cruces, NM for the Department of Corrections.
In 1987, the couple relocated to Springer where they began a sheep operation with their focus on producing high-quality show lambs for 4-H, and FAA youth. They also worked with each exhibitor throughout the year.
Betsy also worked at Springer Drug, serving the community as a lab technician for 17 years. She then on to work at the New Mexico Boy’s School for four years. When the facility was converted to an adult facility, Betsy served as the K-9 Officer for 6 additional years before retiring.
But Betsy wasn’t through serving youth as she then obtained her teaching license and taught school for 2 years in the Springer Schools.
A supporter and advocate for young people in the schools, sports, 4-H, and the FFA, Betsy has served as the Sheep and Goat Superintendent for the CC Fair for over 10 years, and a 4-H adult leader in Lamb and Hogs for over 25 years. Betsy has also organized a silent auction to benefit youth and has been an avid sponsor of the youth horse shows, as well as helping to organize, and run those events. Her commitment to our youth continues as she sponsors the awards at the Annual 4-H and FFA Trophy Banquet.
Betsy is truly a country girl and agriculture has always been part of her life. She has touched many young people in our county, and no doubt will for many more years.
Congratulations again to the 2020 Colfax County Woman-of-the-Year, Betsy Trujillo Lovato.