Colorado Opened 2027 Agricultural Grant Applications

Agricultural businesses in Colorado can now apply for funding to cover up to half of their 2027 intern employment costs.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Internships

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a metal shovel leaning against a wooden post, evoking Colorado agricultural workforce policy. — The Colorado Department of Agriculture has opened applications for its 2027 grant program, which subsidizes intern employment costs for state agricultural businesses. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe state-funded grants are an effective way to help new workers enter agriculture?

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has launched its grant application period for the 2027 growing season. Agricultural businesses may receive funding to offset intern wages, insurance, and other incidental costs.

Why it matters

These grants lower the barrier to entry for staffing seasonal agricultural roles by shifting up to 50 percent of employment expenses to the state. The program seeks to bolster the regional labor pipeline by subsidizing costs that typically constrain smaller operations.

The program provides a maximum of $5,000 per intern, covering up to 50 percent of total employment costs. Since 2018, the state has awarded over $1.25 million across more than 280 individual internships.

The players

Colorado Department of Agriculture

The state agency responsible for implementing agricultural policy, regulatory compliance, and economic development support for the state's farming and ranching industry.

The details

Businesses submit applications through the Agricultural Workforce Development Program website for internal review. Grants are designed to cover wages, workers' compensation insurance, and related incidental expenses during the 2027 growing season. This initiative aligns with the Colorado Department of Agriculture's strategic plan to improve workforce sustainability in the rural sector.

The program was created in 2018.
An informational webinar takes place on Oct. 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. MT.
Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. MT on Nov. 2, 2026.
Award notifications will be sent in mid-December 2026.
The supported internships take place during the 2027 growing season.

Market Landscape

This initiative follows the mandate established by the People and Community direction of the Colorado Department of Agriculture strategic plan. It functions as a targeted intervention to address labor supply gaps common in the regional agricultural sector.

Owners should calculate their anticipated labor needs for the 2027 season and determine if the $5,000-per-intern cap effectively reduces their overhead. Review your current insurance and payroll projections to ensure they align with the grant's coverage requirements before applying.

The takeaway

The Agricultural Workforce Development Program provides a meaningful subsidy for managing seasonal labor costs. Operators should audit their upcoming staffing requirements and prepare their financial documentation to meet the Nov. 2, 2026 submission deadline.

What happens next

Interested businesses should attend the informational webinar on Oct. 7, 2026, and ensure their applications are submitted by the Nov. 2, 2026 deadline.