By Jamie Martin
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Montezuma County, Colorado, as a primary natural disaster area due to ongoing drought conditions.
This designation makes farmers and ranchers in the area eligible for emergency assistance through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).
The drought, which began on March 25, 2025, meets the criteria set by the U.S. Drought Monitor, including either a D2 (Severe Drought) lasting eight or more consecutive weeks, or more intense conditions such as D3 (Extreme) or D4 (Exceptional) drought levels.
Farmers in Montezuma County can now apply for FSA emergency loans to replace essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganize farming operations, or refinance specific debts.
The FSA will evaluate loan applications based on the level of loss, collateral available, and the producer’s ability to repay.
Additionally, farmers in nearby counties also qualify for assistance. These include Dolores, La Plata, and San Juan counties in Colorado; Apache County in Arizona; San Juan County in New Mexico; and San Juan County in Utah.
“We know how hard natural disasters hit farming communities. This designation is about helping producers stay resilient,” an FSA spokesperson said.
Farmers can find more resources online through USDA’s Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov. To file a Notice of Loss or ask questions, local USDA Service Centers are available for support.
The deadline to apply for emergency loans related to this disaster is February 2, 2026. Producers are encouraged to apply early to ensure timely support and assistance.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National