Guest Blog by Alliy Sahagun, Gunnison County Electric Association
When Gunnison High School student and Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) member Paden Davis was assigned to select a project for his environmental science class, he knew he wanted to work on an assignment that would have lasting effects beyond the classroom and his grade.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management Program and the Colorado State University Extension signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize a partnership that details how these two critical state resources will work hand in hand during emergencies impacting Colorado’s agriculture communities.
In an effort to curb further spread of the HPAI virus and implement additional control measures to protect the dairy and poultry industries and public health in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is implementing mandatory statewide surveillance for all Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) licensed commercial cow dairies. This action will help identify any additional infected dairies with the virus with the goal of preventing further spread of the disease.
Yesterday, the Colorado Agricultural Commission approved, and Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg adopted an emergency rule to help limit the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Colorado. Since the initial detection of HPAI in dairy cattle in March 2024, the virus has spread to dairies in at least nine states, including Colorado.
On April 24, 2024, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), United States Department of Agriculture, issued a federal order to prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
In the 1980s, G.I. Joe: Real American Hero animated TV series concluded each cartoon episode with a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for children: “Now you know, and knowing is half the battle!”
Emergency preparedness and disaster management for a farm, ranch, or ag business follows that same mantra. If you know how to prepare, respond, and recover from an animal disease incursion or a natural disaster like flooding or wildfire, then you just need to follow your plan and act accordingly.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has hired Dan Frazen to serve as the Agriculture Emergency Coordinator for Colorado, a position CDA created this year after approval by the legislature to build out the Department’s emergency response capabilities. In this new position, Frazen will lead the Department’s response to all-hazards incidents that impact agricultural communities and coordinate with other government agencies and stakeholders for all phases of disaster management.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2020
Contact: Mary Peck, 720-428-0441, mary.peck@state.co.us
Broomfield, Colo. - The Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA), a program administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), has passed a temporary emergency rule exemption in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.