8 More Colorado Counties Declared Disaster Areas

Eight more Colorado counties have been declared natural disaster areas because of drought and a freeze.

Colorado Sen. Mark Udall’s office said Monday the designation encompasses Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande and Saguache counties in southern Colorado, which has been hit by drought. The Western Slope counties of Delta, Mesa and Montrose also were declared disaster areas following a freeze that damaged fruit crops.

The latest declaration brings to 20 the number of Colorado counties declared disaster areas. The designation means farmers and ranchers are eligible for aid and low-cost loans through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Counties next to the recently declared disaster areas are also eligible for aid. That includes Grand and San Juan counties in Utah and Colfax, Rio Arriba and Taos counties in New Mexico.