About Conservation Services

We help farmers, ranchers, and other landowners manage Colorado’s natural resources effectively for sustained agriculture production and environmental health. Eric Lane Division Director

Our Division now comprises seven programs: 
 

Biological Pest Control - enhances integrated pest management practices in agriculture and wildland areas.

• Imports, rears, establishes, and spreads beneficial organisms for weed and insect pest control.
• Targets pests that are detrimental to agricultural production and the environment.
• Provides biological control agents upon request to Colorado landowners and managers.
• Collaborates with landowners and resource managers to incorporate biological control into weed and pest management strategies.

Chemigation - protects aquifers and surface water from agricultural chemical pollution.

• Grants permits for the application of pesticides and fertilizers through closed irrigation systems.
• Inspects closed irrigation systems to ensure proper installation and maintenance of pollution prevention equipment.

Colorado State Conservation Board - supports Colorado’s 76 Conservation Districts through cost-share matching grants, technical assistance and educational outreach programs.

• Water conservation
• Noxious weed management
• Water quality improvements
• Soil health and preventing erosion

Energy - promotes the development and adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy (EE/RE) technologies in Colorado's agricultural sector.

•Identifies cost-effective EE/RE technologies and practices that are suitable for implementation in Colorado's agricultural sector.
•Partners with other public and private entities to facilitate the implementation of these technologies and practices through cost-share investments, technology-transfer, and outreach.

Groundwater Protection - prevents, minimizes, and mitigates the presence of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers in groundwater.

• Implements primarily a voluntary approach using education, outreach, and training.
• Leads and coordinates efforts among the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Colorado State University Extension, and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
• Monitors Colorado's groundwater to detect the presence of agricultural chemicals.

Noxious Weed Management - works with local, state and federal partners to protect Colorado's agricultural lands and natural areas from the economic and ecological impacts of invasive, non-native plants. 

• Prevents the introduction of new invasive plant species.
• Eradicates species with isolated or limited populations.
• Contains and manages those invasive species that are well established and widespread in Colorado.

Weed Free Forage - reduces the spread of noxious weeds on public land and other areas where forage or mulch is used.

• Inspects forage or mulch of participating farmers before it is harvested.
• Provides a marking system so certified forage can be visibly identified and tracked by producers and consumers.