Golden grass sways near a rustic barbed wire fence at sunset, with soft hills in the background.

Western Region
Impact Highlights

Where University Meets Community

Across Colorado’s Western Region, CSU Extension specialists are serving their communities and addressing local needs by sharing expertise and resources, delivering educational programming, strengthening partnerships, and engaging youth and volunteers.

Key impact areas for Western Region specialists in 2025 spanned topics such as youth outreach, rural health, food systems, outdoor recreation, natural resources, agriculture, volunteer engagement, and more.

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2025 Impact Highlights

50,000+

Contacts reached by CSU Extension Specialists

Through consultations and presentations across the Western Region.

182

Colorado Master Gardener volunteers

Contributed over 8,650 volunteer hours to communities throughout the region.

3,762

Colorado 4-H youth reached

And over 1,300 4-H volunteers engaged in supporting youth leadership development.

ACROSS The Western Region

Western Colorado Research Center

The Western Colorado Research Center network represents three of the ten research centers that make up Colorado’s Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) – a network that stretches to every corner of the state. Since 1888, AES supports Colorado-based agriculture and contributes to food security and health of our growing population in a changing climate.

The WCRC is comprised of three research farms: Orchard Mesa, Grand Valley, and Rogers Mesa. The three sites represent the variety of climate, crops, and challenges of western Colorado agriculture, including focus on water conservation and efficiency, cold-hardiness, diseases, pests and varieties of grapes and tree fruits, integrated cropping systems, vegetable production, and food security.

Learn More about WCRC

Regional Impact Stories

Featured Impact

The Power of Communication: Reducing Loneliness in Rural Colorado

Moffat County

Colorado State University Extension is strengthening behavioral health in rural communities by introducing low-cost, evidence-based communication strategies to reduce isolation and foster social connections. These efforts contribute to the mental well-being and long-term resilience of Colorado’s agricultural families.

Read the impact story

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Across the Region & in Your Community

CSU Extension In The Western Region

Carla Farrand

County Director, CSU Extension

Extension

Region:

  • Western

Counties:

  • Garfield
Garfield County Office

1001 Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box 1112, Rifle, CO, 81650-1112

(970) 625-3969 Ext. 1

My Programs:

4-H Youth Development, Cottage Foods, Health & Well-being

My Topics:

  • Food & Nutrition
  • Health & Well-being