Governor seeks drought aid for Southeast Colorado

Gov. Bill Ritter today asked the federal government for drought relief assistance to help farmers and ranchers in Baca, Bent, Kiowa and Prowers counties in Southeast Colorado. In a letter to Lewis Frank, Colorado director for the Farm Service Agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ritter noted that "In parts of southeast Colorado precipitation is as low as 19 percent of normal."

Ritter wrote, "I am particularly concerned about the production of native pasture. I am hearing reports that ranchers are reducing their herds due to lack of pasture." Ritter requested that farmers and ranchers in the four affected counties be allowed access to federally managed acreage for haying and grazing purposes.