Blog Post

By Commissioner Kate Greenberg

Last week I returned from the United Kingdom after my first international agricultural mission as Commissioner. 

Recently, the Governor of Nebraska announced a funding initiative to pursue a $500 million canal project to divert water from the South Platte River in Colorado. CDA has been in close contact with the Department of Natural Resources and the State Engineer’s Office, which has a strong understanding of the South Platte River Compact. 

The Marshall Fire damaged or destroyed over a thousand homes and businesses in Boulder County, when it burned over 6,000 acres of land. In addition to tightly packed urban residences, this geographic region also includes small ranches, backyard horses and livestock, as well as open space and grazing with commercial livestock. 

Written by Bethany Howell, Deputy Director of Communications & Outreach

In late October I had the opportunity to spend multiple days touring farms, ranches, and other ag operations across northeast Colorado. As Commissioner of Agriculture, meeting producers across our state is not only one of my favorite parts of the job, but one of the most important. It is critical for me to continue listening and learning from those whose lives revolve around agriculture, and that is precisely what this trip offered.   

If you’ve noticed a sudden increase in hornets near where you live, you may wonder whether any of these are part of the Vespa mandarinia species of now named Northern Giant Hornet (formerly known as Asian Giant Hornet). These hornets have recently garnered a lot of attention in the media, resulting in increased reports of potential sightings coming in from across Colorado.

Here are the facts about Northern Giant Hornets:

Please note: this RFI is now closed. 

The Colorado Departments of Agriculture and Personnel & Administration are seeking information from current agricultural and other lenders who can provide insight and expertise into structuring a comprehensive scope of work and cost response for an agricultural loan program. The loan program comes as the result of SB 21-248, which appropriated up to $30 million for low interest loans and farm-to-market infrastructure loans and grants.

By Bethany Howell 

On August 11 and 12, the Colorado Drought Task Force organized a Drought Tour through northwest Colorado in the Yampa River Basin to speak with producers, natural resource managers, local legislators, and other community members about the impacts of an ongoing drought in the region. The tour was geared towards helping legislators and other key policy makers understand the impacts of prolonged drought on Colorado’s northwest region (Routt and Moffat counties) and recognize how its effects impact all of Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has been working to set up and administer a number of programs passed by the legislature in the 2021 session. In all, the Colorado Comeback stimulus bills are driving $76M directly to Colorado’s agricultural sector.