Jeff and Nicole Helmer have been ranching livestock in Southwest Colorado for 20 years. “Most every year is drier than the last,” they said. “Things that used to grow cannot compete with the weeds, and fewer cattle can graze the pasture. We are concerned that the drying trend will continue.”
Droughts are nothing new to the ranching community, but the Western U.S. has experienced more frequent and severe drought over the last few decades, according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. In 2021, more than 80% of Colorado was in severe, extreme or exceptional drought conditions, which imperils ranchers’ access to water for both livestock and irrigation. The Colorado River Basin supplies much of the state’s water for agriculture. Diminishing snowpack levels lead to lower water availability for ranching in spring and summer months.
“Ranching in the West is deeply connected to the land, but this connection is increasingly under threat as climate change accelerates,” said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. “Droughts, wildfires and heat stress are impacting the very livelihood of ranching families who have been on these lands for generations.”
The 2022 market value of farm products sold in Colorado includes $6.4 billion in livestock. Top commodities include cattle and calves.
A 2020 study published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that rangeland productivity in the Western U.S. has decreased by 10% to 30% over the last 30 years because of reduced precipitation and higher temperatures. This loss has led to decreased grazing capacity, which cuts directly into ranching profitability. Supplemental feed costs increase when ranchers are forced to buy more to maintain their herds. Water costs in the West have increased by up to 30% in the last decade, largely because of drought-induced water shortages and competition for resources.
Turns out cattle are like humans in that we are both vulnerable to heat stress. Livestock mortality rises as temperatures rise. Heat stress can reduce weight gain in cattle. The Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital has reported increased mortality rates in livestock during extreme heat events. In some cases, heat stress has caused a 5% increase in cattle deaths, especially in areas without adequate cooling or water access.
Wildfires have become more common and intense in Colorado because of rising temperatures and dry conditions. According to the Colorado State Forest Service, the average wildfire season in Colorado has lengthened by 78 days since the 1970s. These fires destroy pasture, increase erosion and reduce the overall quality of grazing land for cattle and other livestock.
Long-term climate projections for Colorado, as reported by the Colorado Climate Center, estimate that by 2050, average temperatures could increase by 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit. Projections from the Colorado Water Institute suggest that by 2050, the state may experience a 10% to 30% reduction in water availability from snowmelt, which will severely affect irrigation and livestock watering needs.
In response to these challenges, many Colorado ranchers are adopting sustainable grazing practices such as rotational grazing and soil health improvement to better manage forage production and water retention. According to the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, about 25% of ranchers have implemented some form of climate-resilient practices to adapt to changing conditions.
These statistics demonstrate the growing impacts of climate change on ranching in Colorado, with drought, water scarcity, heat stress and land degradation becoming significant challenges for ranchers. As the state continues to warm and dry out, the need for sustainable practices and adaptation strategies becomes evermore critical.
We also need to address the root of the problem by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Encourage your representatives, regardless of party, to work together to pass bipartisan legislation to reduce planet warming emissions and ensure a livable world for future generations of rural ranchers as well as city dwellers.
Susan Atkinson volunteers with the local Citizens’ Climate Lobby Durango chapter.
