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

EI 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