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Local conservation districts seek continued county support as drought, wolf-mitigation and grazing projects grow

5821908 · August 19, 2025

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Summary

Bookcliff, Southside and Sopris conservation districts told the county Aug. 19 they continue irrigation cost-share, noxious-weed programs, soil-health grants and grazing-technology pilots including virtual-fence collars; districts said drought and wolf-mitigation conversations are increasing producer stress and funding needs.

Representatives of three local conservation districts told Garfield County commissioners Aug. 19 about ongoing agricultural-support programs, cost-share projects and mounting pressures from drought, wolf-mitigation and wildfire-response work.

District leaders said core programs include an irrigation cost-share (active since 2010), a noxious-weed cost-share program (active since 2009), a no-till drill rental used by more than 120 landowners, and outreach such as a riparian education trailer for schools and public events. They described $470,700 invested in irrigation cost-share to landowners, $605,000 in noxious-weed mitigation grants and about 3,500 acres seeded with the no-till drill across local producers.

District staff said new funding has supported virtual-fence collars and towers to help grazing management; a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant provided approximately $160,000 to support five producers with virtual-fence collars. Districts said the technology is site-specific and requires training and towers for full effectiveness.

Districts described increased producer stress tied to drought and wildfire, and said they had secured Colorado Department of Agriculture and state conservation-board grants for soil-health testing and programs. District staff reported that 80% of recent external grant dollars awarded to their programs went directly to Garfield County producers.

Commissioners and district leaders also discussed recent state legislative activity and a countywide interest in wolf-mitigation funding; the districts said they continue to serve as a trusted local resource for landowners and that staffing and state/federal cutbacks have increased the districts' responsibilities in the valley.