DENVER—Gov. Bill Ritter is asking for federal assistance for farmers and ranchers in 22 counties hit by drought or late spring freezes.
Ritter made the request to Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer in a letter Friday. Ritter says native pasture production has been dramatically reduced in 20 counties because of drought.
They are Adams, Crowley, Kit Carson, Park, Arapahoe, Douglas, Kiowa, Prowers, Baca, Elbert, Las Animas, Pueblo, Bent, El Paso, Logan, Teller, Cheyenne, Huerfano, Otero and Washington.
Ritter also asked for additional aid for Fremont and Delta counties as well as Pueblo because early freezes destroyed fruit and vegetable crops.
Earlier this month, the federal Farm Service Agency approved emergency drought assistance for six counties, mostly in southeastern Colorado. That allows ranchers to graze on Conservation Reserve Program land there.
