When he first heard Healthy Park County’s plans for this year’s fair, Commissioner Joe Tilden was a little incredulous.

“Water in the beer garden?!” Tilden asked, playfully.

But it’s true. As part of its efforts to promote safe and responsible drinking, Healthy Park County has set up its new 125-gallon “WaterMonster” at the fair’s beer garden.

The point, said initiative coordinator Wendy Morris, is to encourage people to “have a nice cup of water while you’re enjoying another cold beverage.”

In-line with best practices, Morris wants folks to stay hydrated while drinking alcohol. For some, that might mean one glass of water for each beer; for others it might mean one glass for every two. By having water readily accessible, Morris hopes it will make people more likely to stay properly hydrated — especially amid this week’s heat.

Healthy Park County is also helping to ensure only adults gain access to the beer garden and providing training, but the water station and its colorful design will be the initiative’s most visible presence.

“You’ll definitely see it,” Morris said.

Healthy Park County is not aiming to take business away from vendors by offering free water, Morris added — and she believes that won’t be an issue around the beer garden.

“It’s not a huge revenue loss to them is the best way to say it,” Morris said with a laugh. Although water has been sold at the beer garden, she was told that they “don’t really sell a lot of water.”

This year, she’s hoping the free water is a more popular pick alongside the alcohol.

“I always want everyone to have a great time,” Morris said, “but we want to make sure everyone’s healthy and safe.”