Press Release

BAP Program Announces Hire of Dedicated Investigations Coordinator to Respond to Complaints Regarding Animal Mistreatment

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is excited to welcome Taylor Peterson as the Investigations Coordinator with the Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) team. The mission of the BAP program is to prevent the neglect, mistreatment, and abuse of animals in Colorado. Peterson will work closely with the BAP Program Manager as well as local law enforcement, the livestock community, veterinarians and nonprofit organizations across Colorado to ensure complaints submitted to the BAP are handled within the process established by law. 

USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Wild Geese in Sedgwick County, Colorado

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), in conjunction with United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in wild Snow and Ross's geese in Sedgwick County, Colorado.  These birds were collected by Colorado Parks and Wildlife on March 17, 2022 after finding several sick and dead geese at Jumbo Reservoir.  The birds were necropsied at the CPW Wildlife Health Laboratory and samples were submitted to t

HPAI Detected in Midwest, Colorado Poultry Operations Should Prepare by Increasing Biosecurity

In the first confirmed case since 2020, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in a commercial turkey flock in Indiana on February 8, 2022. Since then, HPAI has been detected in commercial poultry in Kentucky and backyard birds in Virginia. HPAI has also been detected in wild birds across many eastern and southeastern states as part of USDA’s routine surveillance program. There are currently no cases of HPAI in Colorado. 

CDA Hires Manager for Bureau of Animal Protection Program to Focus on Education and Prevention

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce Dr. Rebecca Niemiec as the Manager of the Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) program. The mission of the BAP program is to prevent the neglect, mistreatment, and abuse of animals in Colorado. Dr. Niemiec is a social scientist, whose work and research have focused on the relationships between humans and animals as well as enhancing community engagement in environmental stewardship.

List Your Farmers Market, Roadside Stand, and More in CDA’s 2022 Farm Fresh Directory

Colorado agricultural producers are encouraged to list their business in a publication reaching more than 85,000 consumers across our state. The 2022 Colorado Farm Fresh directory, released annually in June by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, promotes Colorado farmers’ markets, roadside stands, u-picks, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producers, agritourism activities, wineries, and farms and ranches that sell direct to the public. 

2022 Resolution to “Eat Well” Nurtures Fresh Choice to “Buy Local”

Every January, a resolution-driven population commits to improving their eating habits, thinking harder about food choices that are nutritiously and economically sustainable. Thanks to Colorado farmers, ranchers and producers, local-food options make it easier than ever to stick to this resolution, adding extra value to our lives well beyond the New Year timeframe.