Agriculture in Colorado
ZIP codes in our Colorado data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture is one of Colorado's foundational industries, shaping communities from the eastern plains to the western valleys. Livestock and crop production together generate a large share of the state's farm income and support many rural economies. For growers and gardeners, Colorado's mix of high elevation, low humidity, and irrigation-dependent farming makes it a distinctive place to raise food.
Farming in Colorado
Cattle and calves are consistently Colorado's leading agricultural product, and the state is a major center for cattle feeding, especially in the Greeley and Weld County area. Dairy is also significant, along with sheep and lamb production. Field crops include corn for grain and silage, winter wheat, hay and other forages, sugar beets, dry beans, sunflowers, and sorghum, while the state is a well-known producer of proso millet. Colorado is also recognized for high-value specialty crops such as San Luis Valley potatoes, onions, and the melons grown around Rocky Ford. Much of this production depends on irrigation drawn from the South Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, and Colorado river systems.
Climate and growing conditions
Colorado has a semi-arid, continental climate marked by low humidity, abundant sunshine, and large day-to-night temperature swings. Elevation drives enormous variation: the eastern plains near 3,300 to 5,000 feet can have a growing season of roughly 150 days, while high mountain valleys may see fewer than 90 frost-free days. USDA hardiness zones range from about zone 3 in the coldest high country to zone 6 or 7 in warmer valleys and parts of the southeast, with much of the populous Front Range falling in zones 5 to 6.
Major agricultural products
- Cattle and calves
- Dairy products
- Corn (grain and silage)
- Winter wheat
- Hay and forage
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Sheep and lambs
Hardiness zones in Colorado
Growers in Colorado fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in Colorado
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in Colorado
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (66 counties):
Market prices & data for Colorado
- Frost dates across Colorado
- Hay prices in Colorado
- Grain cash bids in Colorado
- All USDA hardiness zones
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.