Most of state counties designated 'disasters'
Rocky Mountain News
Published July 17, 2006 at midnight
Fifty-nine of Colorado's 64 counties have been given "disaster" designations because of heat, high winds, insect pests, a late freeze, and ongoing drought, according to Gov. Bill Owens' office.
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced that 45 counties had been approved for the designation, bringing the total to 59.
The approval was granted via letters dated July 10 and 11, and received by the Governor's office on July 14.
"Colorado's farmers and ranchers have been among the hardest hit by drought conditions," said Owens. "These designations won't bring the rain that's so desperately needed, but hopefully, they will provide help until Mother Nature decides to cooperate."
The approval of disaster designation allows agriculturists in affected counties to apply for low-interest, emergency loans.
In accordance with the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, all counties neighboring those receiving disaster designation are named as contiguous disaster counties, and as such are eligible for the same assistance.
Fifty-nine of Colorado's 64 counties are thus disaster designated. The five counties as yet undesignated are Garfield, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt.
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