About The Agricultural Experiment Station
Mission and History
The Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station has been working toward agricultural, environmental, and economic viability for over 150 years.
Our Staff
We are a diverse staff spread across the state supporting and engaging agricultural research benefitting and advancing our citizens and environment.
Research Centers
The Agricultural Experiment Station oversees eight research centers across the state conducting research that meets the agricultural production needs for the state.
- Grand Valley – Fruita
- Orchard Mesa – Grand Junction
- Rogers Mesa – Hotchkiss
Biogeographic Data Summary
AES and Research Centers
Get a snapshot of each research centers unique climate and growing season data to inform how our centers can collaborate on your research projects.
| CAES Research Center | Location | Miles from Campus | Elevation (feet) | Average Precipitation | Average Frost-free Days | Principal Soil Type | Acres | Building Square Feet | Research Foci |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARDEC* | Fort Collins | 11 | 5,152 | 15" | 150 | Fort Collins Loam | 997 | 197,958 | Diverse crop and livestock systems, plant breeding and seed increase |
| AVRC | Rocky Ford | 230 | 4,178 | 12" | 158 | Rocky Ford Clay Loam | 124 | 18,337 | Vegetable crop development and systems, Crop water use |
| ECRC | Akron | 128 | 4,300 | 16" | 140 | Valentine Sand | 3,760 | 22,419 | Beef production, breeding and grazing management |
| PRC | Walsh | 330 | 3,974 | 14" | 161 | Baca Clay Loam | 880 | 3,052 | Dryland and limited irrigation cropping systems |
| SLVRC | Center | 268 | 7,668 | 7" | 96 | Norte Gravelly Sandy Loam | 314 | 43,269 | Potato breeding, storage and production |
| SWCRC | Yellow Jacket | 482 | 6,950 | 15" | 120 | Wetherill Loam | 158 | 11,816 | Dryland and irrigated crops, soil health and alternative crops |
| WCRC | Orchard Mesa | 307 | 4,470 | 8" | 182 | Mesa Clay Loam | 80 | 24,676 | Tree fruits and vines |
| WCRC | Grand Valley | 314 | 4,600 | 8" | 143 | Fruita Sandy Loam | 94 | 14,168 | Water efficient cropping systems |
| WCRC | Hotchkiss | 296 | 5,800 | 12" | 150 | Mesa Stony Loam | 84 | 14,895 | Tree fruit and vines, Cover crops |