LOVELAND, Colo. — A historic drought gripping Colorado is pushing some ranchers to the financial edge, forcing water restrictions and threatening livestock operations that already operate on razor-thin profit margins.
At Ciardullo Ranch outside Loveland, Erica and Josh Ciardullo are watching the skies and counting every drop of precipitation that falls on their pastures. The couple raises 44 head of cattle on a 100% pasture-based operation, meaning their herd’s survival and success depend entirely on what the land can grow.
“We have never seen it this dry,” Josh Ciardullo said…