Peach Freeze Prompts Gov. Jared Polis To Declare Emergency

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) - Colorado's governor has announced he is seeking federal aid for farmers impacted by a freeze that wiped out significant portions of the state's peach crop. The Daily Sentinel reported Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said he sought the aid as a result of an April 14 freeze in Colorado's Western Slope region.

Polis and state Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg said they requested a Secretarial Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The emergency declaration enables farms to access assistance including loans with flexible repayment terms.

Peaches account for 75% of state fruit production with nearly $40 million in revenue.

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