Gov. Bill Ritter on Monday asked the federal government for disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers in 22 drought- and freeze-stricken counties.
In a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture officials, Ritter said ongoing dry conditions and a late spring freeze have caused “economic distress” in the counties.
“Losses to forage production reach as high as 100 percent in Bent County,” Ritter said in the letter.
The drought-affected counties include 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 requested disaster assistance for three counties hit by late spring freezes, damaging fruit and vegetable crops.
The counties are Delta, Fremont and Pueblo.
The Denver Post
