Press Release

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is sending $110,000 to Mesa County to evict an unwanted visitor: the Japanese beetle.

This invasive pest, which was discovered within the city limits of Grand Junction in the summer of 2022, can cause great damage to both ornamental horticulture and agricultural operations on the Western slope. Japanese beetles feed on more than 300 species of plants, many of which are essential to western Colorado’s agricultural economy, including peaches, grapes, sweet corn, and many other ornamental plants in urban spaces, including turf grass.

World-famous Goo Goo Dolls will join the lineup of musical acts performing at the 152nd Colorado State Fair. The show, presented by the Colorado Lottery, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, at the Southwest Motors Events Center. 

"The Colorado Lottery concert is always a crowd favorite, and this year is no exception," said Scott Stoller, general manager of the Colorado State Fair. "The Goo Goo Dolls concert is a fantastic way to wrap up summer and the State Fair — and we can’t wait for you to join us."

The 2024 Colorado State Fair concerts feature a star-studded lineup that includes An Evening of Icons with the Commodores and The Spinners, Ludacris, Trace Adkins with special guest Cody Cozz, Shane Smith & The Saints, Scotty McCreery, Lonestar and Banda el Recodo, just to name a few.

Tickets for all concerts will go on sale Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m. on the Colorado State Fair ticket website.  

To help promote multi-faceted uses of agricultural land, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Agrivoltaics Research and Demonstration Grant Program. Open for the second year in a row, the program funds projects that demonstrate and research the use of solar generation on agricultural land.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations across Colorado to fill six vacancies on the Hemp Advisory Committee (HAC). The committee provides advice to the Commissioner by reviewing proposed rules and recommending new rules or changes to existing rules.

“Colorado has been a pioneer in the hemp industry since 2013 and the Hemp Advisory Committee consists of leaders and innovators who have an active role in advising the Department by providing invaluable industry feedback,” said Brian Koontz, Hemp Program manager.

The HAC is looking for members representing:

To advance the administration of animal welfare programs and provide additional capacity for the Animal Health Division, the Colorado legislature passed a bill establishing the Division of Animal Welfare at the Colorado Department of Agriculture (HB24-1458). The Colorado Department of Agriculture is now seeking a qualified candidate for this first-ever position of Division of Animal Welfare Director.

With seeds sprouting and harvest season just around the corner, the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Produce Safety Program will host a public webinar to review cleaning and sanitizing practices, with a focus on food contact surface contamination.

When tiny green asparagus tips start peeking through the ground, we say Colorado’s spring produce season has officially begun. Fresh asparagus offers a delicious crispness to complement any meal. When paired with some citrus flavors, you can really elevate the experience for your taste buds. This particular recipe also uses honey, a popular sweetener produced throughout Colorado. Check out your local honey supplier or support Colorado honey through your next grocery store purchase.

 Producers who sell hay can now submit their listing to the annual Colorado Hay Directory. For more than 26 years, the Hay Directory has helped Colorado hay producers connect with buyers.

“If you’re selling hay, the Hay Directory has a strong record of helping buyers find locally grown animal feed for their needs, ” said Danielle Trotta, senior marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “The Hay Directory is a great resource for livestock owners in Colorado and beyond.”

The Colorado Soil Health Program is seeking to fill four vacant positions on the Soil Health Advisory Committee, which helps advise the Department on aspects of the flagship program.

The Soil Health Advisory Committee provides a critical link between CDA and agricultural producers, water users, and others with expertise in soil health. The committee assists in the implementation of the Colorado Soil Health Program, one of the agency’s key programs that helps Colorado producers introduce or expand the use of water resilient agricultural practices.