Colorado Senator Hickenlooper meets with Northeastern Colorado farmers at Tuesday forum in Fort Morgan

Northern & Northeastern Colorado farmers told U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper this week that tariffs, beef imports, and cuts to scientific research are putting Colorado agriculture under serious strain.

The forum, held Tuesday night at Keith Bath Farms in Fort Morgan, brought together producers growing corn, wheat, sugar beets, mushrooms, and dairy. Farmers said tariffs have driven up input costs while lowering crop prices, squeezing already thin margins.

Rob Graves of Morning Fresh Dairy in Larimer County said tariffs have limited access to fertilizer imports while corn and wheat prices remain depressed. Kreg Vollmer of Western Sugar said sugar beet production costs have jumped by hundreds of dollars per acre, making it harder for farmers to secure loans. He warned some producers may not plant at all this year.

Several farmers said banks are pulling back from agricultural lending, pushing family farms closer to selling land. Others pointed to rising equipment costs and shortages tied to imports from China.

Beyond tariffs, farmers said cuts to federal agricultural research have been devastating. Multiple research projects were canceled in early 2025, slowing innovation and forcing some farmers to fund research on their own.

Hickenlooper said the U.S. is moving backward on science and warned the cuts threaten the long-term stability of agriculture and rural communities.

Farmers also urged improvements to guest worker visa programs, saying labor shortages are becoming critical.

Hickenlooper said he plans to take their concerns to Congress.