Peach crops on Western Slope were devasted after April freeze.

Colorado is facing another disaster as it works through the coronavirus pandemic; a hard freeze on April 13 had a devastating impact on the state’s peach crop. It's estimated that some Western Colorado peach growers may have lost as much as a third of their crop, devastating the industry.

On April 24, Governor Jared Polis and Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg requested a USDA Secretarial Disaster Declaration for the counties in Colorado’s Western Slope region affected by the freeze. According to the news release, the state Department of Agriculture estimates that a potential 95 percent of the state’s peach crop this year could be decimated from the freeze, which hit a low of 19 degrees. 

“Colorado’s iconic and delicious Palisade peaches could be devastated by this early freeze and fruit producers on the Western Slope need support. Coloradans always look forward to getting Palisade peaches that help support our economy, growers and small businesses,” said Governor Polis. “We urge the federal government to assist Colorado’s agriculture community during this challenging time.”

The disaster declaration will be needed in order for Colorado’s peach producers to gain access to assistance programs and loans to help recoup the losses for this season. The peach industry on Colorado’s Western Slope produces 17,000 tons of fruit and brings in nearly $40 million, and is a major economic factor of Mesa, Delta, Montrose, and Montezuma counties. Peaches account for over 75 percent of fruit production in the state, according to the press release. 

“Colorado’s fruit growers have been dealt a double blow -- their current economic and labor challenges have now been compounded by an early-season freeze event,” said Commissioner Greenberg. “We are committed to garnering as much support as possible at the state and federal levels to help our farmers make it through this season and keep getting the food we love on the table well into the future." 

Palisade Peaches are iconic here in the Centennial State, and the loss of so much of the crop will be felt statewide.

Share your Palisade Peach recipes and snack ideas in the comments below.