The current drought hitting Colorado is not just any drought, it’s one that has warranted a disaster area label by the governor.  Farmers statewide expect huge losses this year.  Precipitation has been less than half the normal of what it should be for this time of year.  Many counties are in extreme drought conditions with some being listed as exceptional drought which is the highest level used for monitoring.  Farmers effected will have 8 months after the declaration date of July 3^rd to apply for emergency loans.  One of the biggest causes of the drought is not just lack of rainfall but the low snowpack we had this winter which quickly dissipated.  The Farm Service Agency does have some programs that could help the farmers.