2 Year Modification

Colorado PYs 2018-2019 Published

Wagner-Peyser Act

Located in:

e. 1. A. An Assessment of the Agricultural Activity in the State Means: 1) Identifying the Top Five Labor-intensive Crops, the Months of Heavy Activity, and the Geographic Area of Prime Activity; 2) Summarize the Agricultural Employers’ Needs in the State (i.e. Are They Predominantly Hiring Local or Foreign Workers, Are They Expressing That There is a Scarcity in the Agricultural Workforce); and 3) Identifying Any Economic, Natural, or Other Factors That Are Affecting Agriculture in the State or Any Projected Factors That Will Affect Agriculture in the State.

Current Narrative:

1. Top 5 agricultural activities in the state vary by regions.

Northern Colorado
CropOnionsCornCabbageLettuceCarrots
Labor Estimate1,000300400350150
Months of highest activityMar-NovJuly-SeptMar-NovMar-OctAug-Sept
Arkansas Valley
CropOnionsMelonsMixed Vegetables
Labor Estimate630400300
Months of highest activityApr-SeptJun-SeptMay-Oct
San Luis Valley
CropPotatoesLettuceSpinachCarrotsCabbage
Labor Estimate2,0004505015020
Months of highest activitySept-OctJul-SeptMay-OctAug-SeptAug-Sept
Western Colorado
CropOnionsCorn (Sweet)LettuceBeansFruit Trees
Labor Estimate27518013570430
Months of highest activityJul-SeptJul-SeptJun-SeptAug-NovJul-Oct

2) Employers in Colorado cite a need for affordable farmworker housing and the availability of more workers that are skilled, willing and able to do farm work.

3) Factors affecting agriculture in Colorado are water shortages and low unemployment rate. Because of this it is difficult to find local, migrant and seasonal workers that are willing to work in the harvesting and packaging of fruits and vegetables.