In 1967, a group of Jefferson County horse enthusiasts, realizing the danger of losing their riding space and the right to keep their horses at or near their homes, took steps to make their voice heard. They formed the Jefferson County Horsemen's Association, now known as the Jefferson County Horse Council (JCHC). Over the next several decades, JCHC became a unified voice for horse owners in Jefferson County, weighing in on issues affecting the county’s horses and riders and educating the public in the ways of horsemanship and our community’s Western heritage.

In 2000, as the Hi Meadow Fire devastated portions of Jefferson and surrounding counties, members of the Jefferson County Horse Council answered the call to action and assisted Animal Control in caring for 276 animals brought to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds from the fire zone. This was the beginning of the Emergency Evacuation Team, now comprised of over 35 volunteers. The EET has since instituted a rigorous training program and has entered into an partnership agreement with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Unit.

Seeking to further its mission and expand its service to Jeffco’s horse community, the Council sought, and was approved for, 501(c)(3) status in 2023. This will allow the organization to seek public and private grants and to pursue an aggressive list of goals in 2024 and beyond.

JCHC continues to take steps to ensure this organization's effectiveness and transparency by electing an aggressive slate of officers and a large board of directors. The officers and directors need input from all concerned horsemen and women, as well as those servicing the horse industry.