The federal government agreed today to make emergency loans available to ranchers and farmers in 10 southeastern Colorado counties after a series of devastating storms left thousands of cattle dead.
The loans will be available in Baca, Bent, Crowley, El Paso, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers and Pueblo counties, Gov. Bill Ritter said.
He said family farmers in 10 contiguous counties may be eligible for the low interest loans.
The loans will cover production and infrastructure losses.
“I’m pushing our (congressional) delegation to do everything possible to assist our farmers and ranchers,” Ritter said in a news release. “The losses will only get worse as more storms hit, as the snow melts and as calving seasons begins. Our livestock are distressed and our farmers and ranchers are at the breaking point.” The governor’s office says an estimated 10,000 cattle died in the storm, but a cattlemen’s group has said the total may reach 15,000.
Ritter said the area is home to 345,000 head of cattle and calves, 23,500 head of producing sows and 112,000 head of sheep and lambs, with an estimated value of $500 million.
