DENVER—U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has approved federal disaster aid for farmers in eight Colorado counties due to a freeze in April.
Vilsack said Thursday he is designating Mesa and Montrose counties as primary natural disaster areas. Gov. John Hickenlooper said in June that Mesa County lost an estimated 30 percent of its grape crop and Montrose County lost an estimated 85 percent of its sweet cherries due to freezing temperatures April 7-8.
Vilsack says nearby Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Ouray, Pitkin and San Miguel counties are being designated as contiguous disaster counties.
Farmers in the eight counties can apply for low-interest emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency.
Grand San Juan County in Utah also qualifies.
