Agriculture producers across 34 Colorado counties may now eligible for physical loss loans due to damages from fires and high winds that occurred this year between February 13 and April 19, as well as a blizzard and high winds that occurred April 13-14. The deadline to apply is January 9, 2019.

Producers in Baca, Chaffee, El Paso, Las Animas, Prowers, Pueblo and Washington counties – designated at primary damage areas - may be eligible for the low-interest loans if they suffered “severe physical losses” which can include buildings and livestock.

Producers in 23 adjoining Colorado counties may also be eligible under the designation. Those counties include Adams, Arapahoe, Bent, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, Douglas, Elbert, Fremont, Gunnison, Huerfano, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lake, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Otero, Park, Pitkin, Saguache, Teller and Yuma. Producers in adjoining counties in Kansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma may also be eligible.

In the map below, primary counties designated for fires and high winds are shaded red, while adjoining counties are shaded yellow. Counties that are not eligible are shaded grey.

A similar designation was made for a blizzard and high winds that occurred in northeast Colorado April 13-14. Counties receiving a primary damage designation include Kit Carson, Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma.

Adjoining Colorado counties for the blizzard include Adams, Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Lincoln, Morgan and Weld. Producers in Kansas and Nebraska may also be eligible.

In the map below, primary counties designated for blizzard and high winds are shaded red, while adjoining counties are shaded yellow. Counties that are not eligible are shaded grey.

Physical loss loans can be used to help producers repair or replace property that was damaged or destroyed and is considered essential to the operation. Losses can also include livestock. Among other examples are farm buildings, equipment, crops, and hay.

Ag producers should contact their local USDA service center for information about eligibility for loans and how to complete an application.