FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2020
Contact: Mary Peck, 720-428-0441, mary.peck@state.co.us
Broomfield, Colo. - The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), in partnership with Governor Polis and in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, today submitted the Colorado State Hemp Management Plan to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, certifying that the State has the resources and personnel to carry out the practices and procedures set forth in the plan.
The visionary plan holistically addresses the many aspects involved in managing a successful and sustainable state commercial hemp industry, including use of third party approved labs and approved samplers to accomplish 100% variety testing, options for discipline waivers, and post harvest testing under certain parameters.
“The plan we submitted today is both innovative and practical. It provides a valuable roadmap for building a successful and sustainable hemp industry in Colorado, based on our state’s unique insight and knowledge,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg.
Feedback received from numerous stakeholders statewide contributed to the plan, including input from farmers, processors and product manufacturers, state and local government agencies, healthcare professionals, financial services providers, law enforcement, and academic institutions.
“With our experience administering a hemp program in Colorado for the past five years, we were able to bring together leaders with expertise in every link of the hemp supply chain to help us understand the challenges we face in helping the industry to grow,” said Brian Koontz, CDA Industrial Hemp Program Manager.
The Colorado State Hemp Management Plan will begin implementation November 1, 2020, pending approval from USDA. View the plan here.
Colorado was one of the first states in the nation to implement an industrial hemp program, expanding to more than 87,000 registered acres and 5,539 registrations over the last five years, and becoming the largest cultivation state in the nation.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture exists to support the state's agriculture industry and serve the people of Colorado through regulation, advocacy and education. Our mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado agriculture, promote a safe and high-quality food supply, protect consumers, and foster responsible stewardship of the environment and natural resources.