Drought and Disaster Credit

Primary vs. Contiguous Disaster Counties in Colorado: What the Designation Means for Your Loan

A disaster declaration usually names some counties directly and others by their location next to those counties. The label on your county can shape which programs you can use and how quickly you can apply.

What is a primary disaster county?

A primary county is one that has been named directly in a disaster designation because of the event or conditions there. Producers in primary counties may be eligible for certain kinds of USDA help, including FSA emergency loans, if they meet other requirements.

The official designation notices come through USDA. Details such as the cause of the disaster, the dates and the program signup windows are set there. Read about the loans at FSA farm loans and check with your county office for how it applies to you.

The distinction is administrative, but the result is practical. Ranchers sometimes assume that a county name on a list tells them everything. It does not. It tells you where to start asking questions, and the details come from FSA and the specific designation notice.

What is a contiguous county?

A contiguous county is one that borders a primary county. Producers in contiguous counties may also be eligible for some of the same help, even though the disaster was not named directly in their county. This matters because disasters do not follow county lines.

For Colorado ranchers near county boundaries on the Eastern Plains or in the foothills, the contiguous designation can open the door. Do not assume you are out of luck because your county is not at the center of the event.

• Primary: named directly in the designation
• Contiguous: borders a named county
• Eligibility still depends on the individual operation
• Signup windows can differ, so confirm dates with FSA

Does the label change the loan?

In many cases, producers in either type of county can apply for the same kind of emergency help, but the rules can differ by program and circumstance. Instead of guessing, ask FSA how your designation affects eligibility, deadlines and documentation.

Even in an eligible county, you still have to show losses, security and repayment ability. The designation opens the door, and your file has to walk through it. The farm money basics guide explains the financial documents most lenders request.

Time is another factor. Ask whether signup periods start on the same date for primary and contiguous counties, and how long you have to apply. Calendar details can differ from one designation to the next, and only the official notice has the right dates.

Which records matter most in a contiguous county?

Records that tie your losses to the event matter more when your county was named only by its neighbor. Keep weather notes, dated photos, feed purchase receipts and herd records. These show the event actually reached your ranch.

Your insurance and crop records matter too. The USDA Risk Management Agency explains risk management programs that you may have used, and your claim history can support your story.

If you farm or ranch in more than one county, ask FSA how it handles your records and which office should receive your application. A ranch that runs cattle in one county and cuts hay in another can create paperwork questions worth settling early.

How can you check your county's status?

Start with the USDA website and your county FSA office, and look at state agencies such as the Colorado Department of Agriculture for drought and disaster notices. Local Farm Bureau chapters, including the Colorado Farm Bureau, often share news of designations with members.

Sign up for notices where you can, and ask your county FSA staff to add you to any mailing list. Designations can move quickly, and a missed deadline cannot always be fixed.

What should you do if your county is not designated?

If your county is not included, you may still have options. Talk to your lender about restructuring, look at other FSA loan programs and ask about private or cooperative lenders. Farm Credit associations may have disaster relief programs of their own, which you should verify directly.

Keep records anyway. Designations can be added later. A lighter look at county lines and farm paperwork is at farm.FM satire, and a farm.FM story about disaster designations covers the topic in plain language. Confirm everything with FSA.

It is also worth remembering that your lender can be an ally. A banker who understands which counties are designated can explain how the news changes your options, and may be able to coordinate with FSA on a joint plan if your operation needs it. You can keep reading with more ranch economics on farm.FM. For background, try the beef herd care pages.

Sources and further reading

• FSA Farm Loans: FSA direct, guaranteed, microloan and emergency loan information
• USDA Risk Management Agency: crop insurance
• USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Colorado Department of Agriculture: state agriculture agency
• Colorado Farm Bureau: state farm organization
• Farm Credit: cooperative agricultural lending network

Ask locally: Ask your county FSA office whether your county is primary or contiguous, and check with your lender about other options.

General education only, not financial, legal or tax advice, and Colorado Rancher Loan Guide is not a lender. Rates, terms and deadlines change, so confirm current details with the lender or agency.