Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet urged U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to deliver fast, coordinated assistance to Colorado’s livestock producers to help recover from this summer’s wildfires. Livestock production is Colorado’s largest agricultural commodity, with families raising livestock in every county of Colorado. Livestock and livestock products provide more than $6.3 billion in cash receipts annually and sustain rural economies across Colorado.
“This summer, wildland fires have burned over 200,000 acres, including the fifth-largest wildfire in Colorado’s history, killing livestock and destroying private pastures and public land allotments,” said Bennet.
“Producers now face severely reduced grazing for their surviving herds, along with delayed health problems from smoke and stress that could require costly veterinary care and lead to further losses. Without immediate support, operations that have sustained Colorado communities for generations may not recover,” continued Bennet.
Senator Bennet requests that the USDA deploy every available program without delay, expand veterinary and animal health support, secure temporary and alternative grazing access, and provide direct communication and assistance.
“I stand ready to work with you to ensure Colorado’s farmers and ranchers can take full advantage of the USDA’s support,” concluded Bennet.
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Secretary Rollins:
I urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to work with the State of Colorado and local livestock producers to deliver fast, coordinated assistance to recover from this summer’s wildfires. This summer, wildland fires have burned over 200,000 acres, including the fifth-largest wildfire in Colorado’s history, killing livestock and destroying private pastures and public land allotments.
Producers now face severely reduced grazing for their surviving herds, along with health problems from smoke and stress that could require costly veterinary care and lead to further losses. Without immediate support, operations that have sustained Colorado communities for generations may not recover.
To respond effectively, I respectfully request that the USDA:
- Deploy every available program without delay, including the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to cover livestock deaths, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) with flexibilities to cover veterinary costs for smoke-related injuries, and the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to restore burned grazing lands, fences, and related infrastructure.
- Expand veterinary and animal health support by directing Farm Service Agency offices to expedite claims for smoke-related livestock health impacts under ELAP, and working with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and local veterinarians to deliver on-site care and assistance.
- Secure temporary and alternative grazing access by coordinating with the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, private landowners, and local partners to identify and approve other appropriate lands for grazing, whether public or private, while original pastures and allotments recover.
- Provide direct communication and assistance by assigning USDA points of contact for affected producers and conducting proactive outreach so they know what help is available and how to access it.
I stand ready to work with you to ensure Colorado’s farmers and ranchers can take full advantage of the USDA’s support.
Sincerely,