Conservation on Colorado Tribal Lands
American Indian tribes work with NRCS on initiatives that include resource inventories and the adaptation of our conservation programs to fit the special needs of their people and their land. In Colorado, NRCS works with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe.
EQIP FY-25 Ranking Information
NRCS and Tribal-lands Natural Resource Conservation
NRCS and American Indians share a common interest in conserving and managing the natural resources of our earth. To help meet our goal of providing high quality conservation products and services to American Indian operators, offices are located on both the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe located in southwestern Colorado. NRCS is committed to providing assistance to American Indian producers and tribes in planning for and managing natural resources.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers (“historically underserved producers”). The 2018 Farm Bill provides for voluntary participation, offers incentives, and focuses on equity in accessing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and services.
NRCS has expertise in agronomy, range management, forestry, agricultural engineering, soils, water management, wildlife habitat management, aquaculture, resource inventories, and watershed and flood protection.
NRCS field office personnel provides assistance upon request to private landowners and operators, Indian tribes and Tribal members. Assistance provided includes, but is not limited to, the following: Conservation planning on cropland, pastureland, and rangeland and assistance to apply rangeland management and improvement practices, irrigation water development structures and management, brush control, erosion control structures, agriculture, forestry, farmland protection, wildlife habitat improvement, and wetlands restoration.
American Indians and Alaska Natives are eligible to participate in all NRCS programs and may have special status as provided by statute or regulation. The demand for NRCS services by American Indian tribal groups continues to increase as the value of NRCS assistance becomes better understood.