Press Release - Drought Relief Sought for 22 Counties
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008
CONTACT:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER SEEKS DROUGHT RELIEF FOR 22 COUNTIES
Gov. Bill Ritter is seeking federal disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers who are experiencing financial distress in 22 counties hit by drought and late-spring freezes.
Gov. Ritter's letter was sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday:
Honorable Ed Schafer
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th and Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250
Dear Secretary Schafer:
I write to request Secretarial Disaster Designation for 22 Colorado counties where farmers and ranchers are in economic distress due to ongoing drought and late spring freezes.
Production of native pasture in the counties listed below has been dramatically reduced due to drought. Losses to forage production reach as high as 100 percent in Bent County, Colorado. I hereby request drought disaster designation for the following counties:
Adams
Crowley
Kit Carson
Park
Arapahoe
Douglas
Kiowa
Prowers
Baca
Elbert
Las Animas
Pueblo
Bent
El Paso
Logan
Teller
Cheyenne
Huerfano
Otero
Washington
I further request Secretarial Disaster Designation due to freezes destroying fruit and vegetable crops in the following counties:
Delta: April 25 through May 8, 2008
Fremont: April 29 through May 4, 2008
Pueblo: May 2 through May 5, 2008
Farmers and ranchers in these counties have a great deal of money invested in crops that will not yield profitable levels. I request your prompt consideration of these requests.
Sincerely,
Bill Ritter, Jr.
Governor
Cc: John Stulp, Commissioner