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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Douglas County
Douglas County sits within the Southern Rocky Mountain Foothills (MLRA 49) region. Elevation averages about 6,442 feet.
Temperatures in Douglas County range from a January mean low of 17°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 18.5 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Douglas County ran 1,127 farms, 218,374 acres of farmland, and 473 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | Front Range |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Horses, Goats, Poultry, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 16+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Douglas County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
7519 E Highway 86, Unit #688, Franktown, CO 80116
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
504 Washington St, Simla, CO 80835
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Douglas County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 71% of farmland in Douglas County, about 154,841 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in August. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Douglas County
Farms in Douglas County average 194 acres, and about 55% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 791 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Douglas County
Given the operation mix in Douglas County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Douglas County Operations
Based on Douglas County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban interface management and conservation of remaining agricultural lands are primary focuses. Programs support sustainable practices for small acreages and help preserve agricultural character in developing areas.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Arapahoe County, Colorado, Elbert County, Colorado, El Paso County, Colorado, Jefferson County, Colorado, and Teller County, Colorado. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Douglas County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Colorado guide: Colorado Farm Programs Guide
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