Gov. Ritter Announces Disaster Designation for Several Colorado Counties

Governor Ritter recently announced that the US Department of Agriculture has granted a request for disaster designation in several Colorado counties where crops have been affected by drought and an early frost.

Last year between October 8th and 11th Freemont County and contiguous counties of Chaffee, El Paso, Pueblo, Saguache, Teller, Custer and Park, experienced damaging frost and freezing. The early frost rendered unharvested apples worthless.

The Western Slope saw a wet spring turn into a very dry summer, affecting various crops in Mesa, Montezuma, Dolres, San Miguel and Montrose; and contiguous counties of: Delta, Gunnison, Ouray, Pitkin, San Juan, Garfield and La Plata.

Farmers and ranchers in 20 primary and contiguous counties are eligible to apply for assistance from the Federal Farm Service Agency. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payment Program.