Las Animas County, Colorado: USDA programs and conservation funding

485
Farms & Ranches
1.8M
Acres in Agriculture
3,723
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$26.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Goats, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Las Animas County, Colorado has 485 farms working 1,805,818 agricultural acres (average 3,723 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $26.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Las Animas County

Las Animas County sits within the Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains (MLRA 69) region. Elevation averages about 5,241 feet.

Temperatures in Las Animas County range from a January mean low of 19°F to a July mean high near 88°F. Annual precipitation averages 15.8 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.

Las Animas County ran 485 farms, 1,805,818 acres of farmland, and 3,107 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and goats.


Quick Facts

RegionSoutheast Colorado
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Horses, Goats, Wheat, Sheep, Honey

Current Conditions

Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 14+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Las Animas County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

760 Bent Ave, Las Animas, CO 81054

(719) 456-0120

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

3590 E Main St, Trinidad, CO 81082

(719) 846-3681

This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices

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.


Programs for Las Animas County Operations

Based on Las Animas County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Grassland conservation programs work with the Comanche National Grassland to maintain healthy prairie ecosystems and support ranching operations. Water management focuses on efficient irrigation in the river valleys while protecting streamflow for downstream users.

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 Baca County, Colorado, Bent County, Colorado, Costilla County, Colorado, Huerfano County, Colorado, Otero County, Colorado, and Pueblo County, Colorado. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Las Animas County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Colorado guide: Colorado Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.14
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.25
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Las Animas County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.