Hay thefts piling up in Colo. as drought sends prices to historic highs
(CBS) A thief or thieves in northern Colorado last week hot wired heavy farm equipment to steal $5,000 worth of hay from a farm in Larimer County, the Denver Post reports.
Severe drought conditions across Colorado have led to a shortage of hay, and a spike in hay thefts.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture said last month that more than 60 percent of the state is experiencing extreme drought, CBS Denver reports. As a result, hay prices in the state and elsewhere in the Rockies are at all-time highs.
According to the Denver Post, the hay theft in Larimer County, which police said took place between Aug. 30 and Sept. 4, was the latest in a long string of thefts, despite the weight of hay bales.
Recently the sheriff's office recommended hay be stored out of sight and in a secure location. They warned that smaller bales should be stored near homes behind strong fences and locked gates.