Northeastern Colorado is an agricultural powerhouse. Economic livelihoods and cultural identity in the state’s top right corner are built on farms and ranches. Five counties in this area are among the state’s top 10 ag producers. Nearly half of all the region’s jobs are part of the industry.
But high food production doesn’t necessarily mean food access.
Food insecurity is higher here than the state average. Sixteen percent of the population is enrolled in SNAP benefits. And limited grocery store options in these rural communities make it harder for individuals and families to find the food they need.
This is all coming from the 2026 Northeast Colorado Intersections report put together by Colorado State University and the Fort Collins-based NoCo Foundation. The report was released this week at an event in Sterling at Northeastern Junior College. It examines economic trends, healthcare and housing access, and demographic shifts, among other things, in six counties: Morgan, Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma…