Pueblo County, Colorado: USDA programs and conservation funding

758
Farms & Ranches
834K
Acres in Agriculture
1,100
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$19.9M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Field Crops, Other, Corn, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Pueblo County, Colorado has 758 farms working 833,740 agricultural acres (average 1,100 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $19.9 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Field Crops, Other. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, 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 Pueblo County

Pueblo County sits within the Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains (MLRA 69) region. Elevation averages about 4,823 feet.

Temperatures in Pueblo County range from a January mean low of 18°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 13.5 inches. Expect about 245 frost-free days.

Pueblo County ran 758 farms, 833,740 acres of farmland, and 2,144 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and equine.


Quick Facts

RegionSouth Central
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Vegetables, Corn, Horses, Grain sorghum, Sheep

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 4+ 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 Pueblo County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

200 South Santa Fe Ave, 4th Floor, Pueblo, CO 81003

(719) 543-8386

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 Pueblo County Operations

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

Programs emphasize sustainable grazing management and soil health improvement in the transition zone between irrigated and dryland agriculture. Beginning farmer programs are active due to proximity to urban markets and specialty crop opportunities.

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 Crowley County, Colorado, Custer County, Colorado, El Paso County, Colorado, Fremont County, Colorado, Huerfano County, Colorado, and Las Animas County, Colorado. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Pueblo 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 Prescribed GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.14
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.30
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Pueblo 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.