Monte Vista, CO – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today the availability of a draft compatibility determination, for public review and comment, proposing continuation of a cooperative farming program on Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is located within the San Luis Valley region of southern Colorado. Public comments on the draft will be accepted for 15 days, from March 31, 2025, through April 15, 2025.   

Cooperative farming programs are used as a management technique for providing crucial wildlife habitat. Farming occurs in designated refuge areas to provide habitat for stopover, resting and feeding areas for resident and migrating wildlife. The farming program at Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge allows a farmer to grow an alfalfa crop while additionally growing a smaller supply of desirable barley. The barley is used as a high-quality food source for the Rocky Mountain population of sandhill cranes. During their spring migration, approximately 25,000 sandhill cranes migrate through the San Luis Valley and utilize barley grains produced under the farming program.  

The draft compatibility determination is available for review on the refuge website at: Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Printed copies of the draft are available for review in Alamosa, CO at the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex office/visitor center, at the Rio Grande Water Conservation District office, and in Monte Vista, CO at the Monte Vista City Hall.  

For questions and comments about the draft, contact Project Leader, Mike Oldham, 620-405-0140, or mike_oldham@fws.gov.       

Additional information can be found at http://www.facebook.com/SanLuisValleyRefugeComplex