Issue Briefs Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also commonly known as bird flu, is present in Colorado and nationwide. Recently, it has caused outbreaks in poultry and dairy herds, resulting in the largest animal disease outbreak in the state’s history. Release date: 2026-01-12 Publishing Agency: Legislative Council Staff Subjects: Agriculture Public Health Download File
Issue Briefs Colorado Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act This issue brief provides an overview of state laws related to pet animal facilities. These facilities are licensed and regulated under the Colorado Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA). Release date: 2025-10-09 Publishing Agency: Legislative Council Staff Subjects: Agriculture Download File
Issue Briefs Conservation Easements This issue brief provides an overview of conservation easements in Colorado and discusses the certification process, federal and state tax incentives for the donation of conservation easements, and state purchases of conservation easements. Release date: 2024-10-29 Publishing Agency: Legislative Council Staff Subjects: Agriculture Natural Resources & Environment Download File
Issue Briefs A Snapshot of Colorado Agriculture As one of the top agricultural states in the United States, Colorado agriculture generates approximately $47 billion annually in economic activity. Agriculture in Colorado is made up of about 30 million acres of farmland, with approximately 36,000 different farm operations, employing more than 195,000 people. This issue brief gives an overview of agriculture in Colorado, including the Colorado Proud label, the wine industry in the state, and a map showing the economic value of agriculture in each county. Release date: 2024-03-19 Publishing Agency: Legislative Council Staff Subjects: Agriculture Natural Resources & Environment Download File
Issue Briefs Developing Colorado’s Turf Replacement Program (22-03) An estimated 3.3 million people in Colorado are affected by drought, with 2022 being the driest year to date over the past 128 years. In response to the ongoing drought in Colorado, the General Assembly passed HB 22-1151 to promote the efficient and maximum utilization of Colorado’s water resources by decreasing the amount of irrigated turf within the state. The bill requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the Department of Natural Resources to create a turf replacement program that incentivizes the voluntary replacement of nonessential irrigated turf acr Release date: 2022-09-12 Publishing Agency: Legislative Council Staff Subjects: Agriculture Natural Resources & Environment Water Download File