Lead
On Thursday night, Jan. 30, 2026, Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera issued a verbal disaster declaration for Weld County in response to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The announcement, made while Gov. Jared Polis was in Washington, D.C., enables state agencies to continue coordinated mitigation, response and recovery activities, the governor’s office said. Federal authorities characterize HPAI as severe with a high mortality rate in birds and note rare human infections can occur. State and local responders described the situation as active and evolving.
Key Takeaways
- Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera issued a verbal disaster declaration for Weld County on Jan. 30, 2026, to support disease response and recovery.
- The declaration allows state agencies to coordinate mitigation, response and recovery efforts across jurisdictions, per the governor’s office statement.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies the strain as highly pathogenic avian influenza, which causes high mortality in birds and has occasionally infected humans.
- Gov. Jared Polis was serving as acting governor while in Washington, D.C., attending a Colorado River negotiation meeting.
- Local officials report the situation remains under investigation; details on the number of affected premises or bird counts have not been publicly released.
- State and federal animal health resources are being mobilized to contain spread and advise affected producers on depopulation, disposal, and biosecurity.
- This remains a developing public-health and agricultural incident with potential economic impacts for local poultry operations.
Background
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) periodically emerges in poultry and wild birds worldwide and has caused significant losses to commercial and backyard flocks. In the United States, outbreaks prompt a mix of state and federal responses, including movement restrictions, testing, depopulation of infected flocks, and compensation programs. Colorado has experienced avian influenza incidents in past years, and agencies maintain response plans that span animal health, public health, and emergency management functions.
Weld County, one of Colorado’s major agricultural regions, hosts numerous commercial poultry and livestock operations, making rapid containment a priority to limit spread and economic loss. Stakeholders in such events typically include county emergency managers, the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), and public-health partners who monitor human exposure risks. Coordination across those entities is central to limiting both animal and human health impacts.
Main Event
On Jan. 30, 2026, Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera issued a verbal disaster declaration covering Weld County after state officials confirmed an HPAI outbreak in the locality. The declaration was described as verbal and immediate, intended to preserve the continuity of operations among responding agencies while formal paperwork is prepared. The governor’s office said the move permits continued coordination of disease mitigation, response and recovery activities across state agencies and with federal partners.
State animal-health teams and federal USDA personnel have been deployed to assist local officials with diagnosis, tracing of bird movements, and implementation of control measures at affected premises. Typical containment steps include quarantine of affected sites, testing of surrounding flocks, and enhanced biosecurity for nearby operations. Local first responders and county public-health officials are also monitoring potential human exposures and advising at-risk individuals on precautions.
Authorities emphasized that HPAI predominantly affects birds and that human infections remain rare, but they stressed the need for caution among those with close contact with sick or dead birds. The acting-governor status of Primavera at the time reflects routine gubernatorial succession while Gov. Polis attended federal negotiations in Washington, D.C., on Colorado River matters. Officials described the situation as active and subject to updates as investigations proceed.
Analysis & Implications
An HPAI outbreak in Weld County carries multiple implications: immediate animal-health consequences for affected producers, potential disruptions to the regional poultry supply chain, and economic strain on farms required to cull flocks. Compensation and indemnity processes through state and federal programs can mitigate some losses, but the administrative and logistical burden on producers can be substantial. Rapid containment reduces the chance of broader agricultural disruption.
From a public-health perspective, the primary risk remains to people with direct exposure to infected birds or contaminated environments. Public-health agencies typically prioritize guidance for personal protective equipment, testing and prophylaxis when warranted. The declaration’s facilitation of interagency coordination can speed deployment of guidance and resources to protect both workers and the public.
Politically and administratively, the event tests the responsiveness of Colorado’s animal-health and emergency-management systems. Verbal disaster declarations are an expedient tool to maintain interagency momentum; however, they can raise questions about documentation, funding triggers, and the timing of subsequent formal declarations. Observers will watch whether the state moves to a written declaration and whether federal resources or disaster funds are requested.
Comparison & Data
| Characteristic | Highly Pathogenic AI (HPAI) | Low Pathogenic AI (LPAI) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical bird mortality | High, often rapid | Low to moderate |
| Human infection risk | Rare but possible | Rare |
| Typical response | Quarantine, depopulation, movement controls | Targeted surveillance and biosecurity |
The table above summarizes general distinctions between highly pathogenic and low pathogenic avian influenza strains, clarifying why HPAI prompts more aggressive animal-health interventions. Exact counts of affected birds or premises for the Weld County incident have not been released publicly, which limits quantitative comparison to prior outbreaks.
Reactions & Quotes
State officials framed the verbal declaration as a necessary operational step while on-the-ground investigations continue.
We are coordinating state resources to slow spread and assist producers with response and recovery.
Governor’s Office (official statement)
Federal authorities reiterated known risks and the need for standard containment measures during outbreaks.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza causes severe disease in birds and can, in rare cases, infect people; close contact with infected birds should be avoided.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (official advisory)
Local experts urged affected operations and nearby producers to follow biosecurity protocols immediately.
Immediate biosecurity, prompt reporting of suspicious deaths, and cooperation with animal-health teams are essential to limit spread.
Veterinary epidemiologist (Colorado academic source)
Unconfirmed
- Full count of infected premises and total birds affected has not been publicly released and remains under investigation.
- There are no confirmed human infections reported to date in connection with this Weld County outbreak.
- Whether a formal, written disaster declaration or federal assistance request will follow the verbal declaration is not yet confirmed.
Bottom Line
The verbal disaster declaration in Weld County reflects an active HPAI incident that requires coordinated state and federal action to protect animal health and limit economic damage. While HPAI primarily threatens birds, public-health authorities will monitor for any human exposures and advise precautions for those in contact with affected flocks.
Key near-term indicators to watch are release of precise counts of affected premises and birds, the scope of movement controls, and whether the state seeks additional federal assistance. For producers and residents in Weld County, immediate adherence to biosecurity guidance and transparent cooperation with animal-health teams will be critical to bring the outbreak under control.