Federal officials declared a drought disaster in southeast Colorado on Monday, giving farmers and ranchers hard-hit by the drought conditions eligibility for emergency loans.
Governor Hickenlooper sent a letter to US. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting drought assistance for: Bent, Chaffee, Custer Fremont, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Prowers and Pueblo counties. The letter also requests disaster assistance for Fremont County apple producers which lost 60 percent of their crop due to freezes that occurred between April 28 through May 1, 2011.
Secretary Vilsack and the USDA has already approved Gov. Hickenlooper’s earlier June 16 drought disaster declaration for: Baca, Crowley and Otero counties. As such, farmers in these counties are now considered for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program and Service Agency loans. Ranchers and farmers have eight months to apply for assistance
In a press statement, U.S. Senator for Colorado Mark Udall said:
I want to thank Agriculture Secretary Vilsack for responding quickly to the needs of Colorado’s farmers and ranchers. Farmers in southeastern Colorado are facing heavy losses as a result of the drought, and this will provide some relief to help get them through the year.