Colorado Declares Disaster Due to Bird Flu Outbreak
On Thursday, Colorado’s Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera announced a disaster emergency in response to a significant outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in Weld County, located just north of Denver.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) reported a presumptive positive case of HPAI at an egg-laying facility in the county. Officials indicated that they are currently testing dead chickens at the facility, which houses approximately 1.3 million birds, following reports of increased mortality.
As of now, it remains unclear how many chickens may be infected.
HPAI first appeared in the United States in February 2022, affecting both wild birds and poultry. In July 2024, Weld County experienced a series of outbreaks that impacted three commercial poultry facilities with a total of nearly 3.4 million chickens. However, the exact identity of the facilities involved in the current outbreak has not been disclosed.
The disaster declaration activates the State Emergency Operations Plan, enabling emergency management to mobilize state resources effectively. This decision allows the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to utilize disaster funds, make necessary contracts, and take swift actions to assist affected areas.
While Lt. Gov. Primavera announced the emergency declaration, Governor Jared Polis was out of state attending a meeting about the Colorado River. The governor’s office confirmed that the decision was made in collaboration with Gov. Polis.
As officials work to manage the situation, they will continue monitoring the virus’s spread and take the necessary precautions to protect both livestock and public health.
