What CSU Extension Does in Colorado
Colorado State University Extension carries out the university's land-grant mission, and according to the CSU Extension about page its specialists serve all 64 counties. The programs most producers and families run into are Colorado 4-H, the Colorado Master Gardener program (established in 1975), AgrAbility, Colorado Building Farmers, Native Plant Master, Lawncheck, Landscape for Life and Cottage Food Safety Training. Topic areas run from agriculture and natural resources to food and nutrition, insects and pests, and emergency planning.
Finding Your County Office
Services differ by county, so start with the office that covers your address. CSU Extension keeps a directory of office locations on its main site. Two examples show how offices work:
- Morgan County. The office is at 914 East Railroad Avenue in Fort Morgan, phone (970) 542-3540, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, per its county page.
- Denver. The Denver office is at 888 East Iliff Avenue, phone (720) 913-5270. Staff work a hybrid schedule and hours can change without notice, so call or use the contact form before you drive over.
That Denver advice is good for any office. Call first.
Agriculture and Small Acreage Help
The Adams County office lists soil testing, free small acreage site assessments, and plant diagnostics and weed identification among its agriculture services. If you are new to a few acres, ask your county office whether a site assessment is offered where you live. Extension also curates a small acreage services database, a Colorado-wide directory of businesses and organizations for custom farming, ag equipment, irrigation, fencing, seeding, weed and pest services, forestry and more. It also lists several local conservation districts.
Soil Testing
CSU's Soil, Water and Plant Testing Lab accepts samples from the public, and its sampling instructions are specific:
- Collect 10 to 15 subsamples per area and mix them into one composite, then send about one pound of soil.
- Depth. 0-6 or 0-8 inches for vegetable gardens and flower beds, 0-2 or 0-3 inches for lawns, 0-8 inches for agricultural crops.
- Separate samples for areas with different crop growth, soil color or fertilizer history.
- Label the bag with your name, depth and sample name, and match the sample name to the Sample ID on the form. Use the Horticulture form for lawns, gardens, trees and orchards and the Crop form for agricultural crops.
- Frequency. Test every 2 to 3 years; annual testing may suit new gardens, problem areas or intensive crop production.
The lab is at the Terra Building, 4780 National Western Drive, Denver, phone (970) 491-5061. Drop-off is Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, and results come within 7 to 10 business days of receipt. Prices are per sample: the complete analysis (S1) is $47.50, the basic package (S2) is $40.00, soil salinity is $57.00, and pH and EC alone is $25.00. Mailed samples need a check or money order payable to Colorado State University, and in-person drop-offs accept Visa, Mastercard or Discover. The lab does not do on-site sampling, so you collect your own. Some county offices help with soil testing too; the Routt County office lists soil and water testing and loans a soil sampling probe.
Gardening and Master Gardeners
Many counties run Master Gardener programs that pair university horticulture expertise with trained volunteers. Adams County says its horticulture help for landscapes, lawns, trees and roses comes from full-time staff and 120 Colorado Master Gardeners. Bring a clean sample or a good photo of the problem plant when you ask.
4-H and Fair Paperwork
4-H is run through county Extension offices, and so is much of the paperwork around county fairs. Livestock enrollment, weigh-ins and quality assurance training are set locally. San Miguel County's 2026 4-H dates page, for example, listed a February 1 beef enrollment deadline and weigh-ins for beef, lamb, goat, swine and small animals, plus Meat Quality Assurance sessions. See our county fairs guide for how that plays out at the fair.
Other Local Services
Routt County's office shows how varied a county office can be. It lists equipment rentals (water bath canner, food dehydrator, hay corer, soil temperature gauge, soil sampling probe and a weed sprayer in spring and summer), Master Food Safety Advisors, cottage food pH testing through the state health department lab, and cottage food safety training. Other offices will offer different mixes, so ask what is available near you.
Practical Tips
- Call your county office before visiting, since hours and staffing vary.
- Label soil samples carefully; a mismatch between the bag and the form slows everything down.
- Ask about rentals and site assessments, which are not offered everywhere.
- Enroll in 4-H early in the year if you plan to show livestock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Extension serve every Colorado county?
CSU Extension says its specialists serve all 64 counties. Use the office directory on its main site to find yours.
How long do soil test results take?
The CSU lab lists results within 7 to 10 business days of receiving your sample.
How often should I test my soil?
The lab recommends every 2 to 3 years, or yearly for new gardens, problem areas or intensive crop production.
Is there a fee for Extension services?
It varies. Lab tests are priced per sample, and Adams County lists small acreage site assessments as free. Ask your county office about the rest.
Colorado Listings Covered by This Guide
- Adams County CSU Extension Office
CSU Extension office for Adams County at 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton. Brighton is the base for 4-H, horticulture and small-acreage help in the county. Phone (303) 637-8100.
9755 Henderson Road, Brighton, CO 80601 | (303) 637-8100 Website - Alamosa County CSU Extension Office
Alamosa County Extension (Colorado State University) is at 1899 East Hwy 160 in Monte Vista. Alamosa County is served by the San Luis Valley Area office in Monte Vista. Call (719) 852-7381.
1899 East Hwy 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144 | (719) 852-7381 Website - Arapahoe County CSU Extension Office
Arapahoe County Extension (Colorado State University) is at 6934 South Lima Street, Suite B in Centennial. Serves a largely suburban county with gardening, 4-H and small-farm programs. Call (303) 730-1920.
6934 South Lima Street, Suite B, Centennial, CO 80112 | (303) 730-1920 Website - Archuleta County CSU Extension Office
The office sits on the county fairgrounds, home of the annual Archuleta County Fair. The Archuleta County CSU Extension office is located at 344 Highway 84 (Fairgrounds), Pagosa Springs, CO 81147; phone (970) 264-5931.
344 Highway 84 (Fairgrounds), Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 | (970) 264-5931 Website - Baca County CSU Extension Office
CSU Extension office for Baca County at 700 Colorado Street, Springfield. Baca County is served through the Southeast Area Extension team. Phone (719) 523-6971.
700 Colorado Street, Springfield, CO 81073 | (719) 523-6971 Website - Bent County CSU Extension Office
Bent County Extension (Colorado State University) is at 1499 Ambassador Thompson Blvd. in Las Animas. Bent County residents reach 4-H and crop advice here as part of the Southeast Area. Call (719) 456-0764.
1499 Ambassador Thompson Blvd., Las Animas, CO 81054 | (719) 456-0764 Website - Boulder County CSU Extension Office
The office shares the Boulder County Fairgrounds campus in Longmont. The Boulder County CSU Extension office is located at 9595 Nelson Road, Box B, Longmont, CO 80501; phone (303) 678-6238.
9595 Nelson Road, Box B, Longmont, CO 80501 | (303) 678-6238 Website - Broomfield County CSU Extension Office
CSU Extension office for Broomfield County at 3 Community Park Road, Broomfield. A small city-and-county office offering horticulture and youth programs. Phone (720) 887-2286.
3 Community Park Road, Broomfield, CO 80020 | (720) 887-2286 Website - Chaffee County CSU Extension Office
Chaffee County Extension (Colorado State University) is at 185 Quigot Court in Poncha Springs. Open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; the mailing address is in Salida. Call (719) 539-6447.
185 Quigot Court, Poncha Springs, CO 81242 | (719) 539-6447 Website - Cheyenne County CSU Extension Office
On the eastern plains, this office handles ranch, dryland crop and 4-H questions for Cheyenne County. The Cheyenne County CSU Extension office is located at 425 South 7th W, Cheyenne Wells, CO 80810; phone (719) 767-5716.
425 South 7th W, Cheyenne Wells, CO 80810 | (719) 767-5716 Website - Colorado State University Extension Mesa County
CSU Extension office for Mesa County in Grand Junction, running the county 4-H program, fair exhibitor guides and horticulture help for Grand Valley growers.
Grand Junction, CO | 970-244-1834 Website - Conejos County CSU Extension Office
Conejos County growers use the San Luis Valley Area office for potato and forage questions. The Conejos County CSU Extension office is located at 1899 East Hwy 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144; phone (719) 852-7381.
1899 East Hwy 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144 | (719) 852-7381 Website - Costilla County CSU Extension Office
CSU Extension office for Costilla County at 1899 East Hwy 160, Monte Vista. Costilla County ranchers are covered through the valley-wide Monte Vista office. Phone (719) 852-7381.
1899 East Hwy 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144 | (719) 852-7381 Website - Crowley County CSU Extension Office
CSU Extension office for Crowley County at 613 Main Street (Administration Building), Ordway. Housed in the county administration building in Ordway, in the lower Arkansas Valley. Phone (719) 267-5243.
613 Main Street (Administration Building), Ordway, CO 81063 | (719) 267-5243 Website - CSU Extension Clear Creek County
Clear Creek County's Colorado State University Extension office, an educational resource for mountain gardening, 4-H and land stewardship.
CO Website - CSU Extension Dolores County
Dove Creek office signing up youth ages 8 to 18 for 4-H, with horse project leadership available and volunteer leaders sought.
409 N. Main, Dove Creek, CO 81324 | 970-677-2283 Website - CSU Extension Montrose County
Montrose extension office serving Montrose and Ouray counties.
Montrose, CO - CSU Extension Morgan County
Fort Morgan office for Morgan County 4-H; premium pickup for fair exhibitors runs from August 11 to September 30.
Fort Morgan, CO - CSU Extension Otero County
Rocky Ford extension office; its 4-H and FFA members show at the Arkansas Valley Fair each August.
Rocky Ford, CO - CSU Extension Park County
Fairplay extension office for Park County, home to the Park County Fair and its 4-H livestock exhibitors.
Fairplay, CO - CSU Extension Phillips County
Holyoke office providing extension and 4-H programs to Phillips County farm families.
Holyoke, CO - CSU Extension Prowers County
Lamar extension office for Prowers County; it opened enrollment for the 2026 4-H year.
Lamar, CO - CSU Extension Pueblo County
Pueblo extension office running county 4-H livestock tag-ins, quality assurance classes and fair entries for exhibitors; phone 719-583-6566.
Pueblo, CO | 719-583-6566 - CSU Extension Rio Blanco County
Meeker office with a second site in Rangely; 4-H members use the Meeker exhibit hall and shooting ranges at Rangely during fair week.
Meeker, CO - CSU Extension Rio Grande County
Monte Vista office that also serves as the San Luis Valley Area office, with 4-H, farm management, range and water programs.
Monte Vista, CO - CSU Extension Routt County
Steamboat Springs office running Routt County 4-H, including livestock, horse and shooting sports programs.
136 6th Street, Suite 101, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 | 970-879-0825 - CSU Extension San Miguel County
Norwood office supporting San Miguel Basin 4-H, including meat quality assurance classes and fair weigh-ins.
Norwood, CO - CSU Extension Sedgwick County
Julesburg office providing extension and 4-H programs to Sedgwick County families.
Julesburg, CO - CSU Extension Summit County
Frisco office that provides CSU extension services in Summit County.
Frisco, CO - CSU Extension Teller County
Woodland Park extension office serving Teller County residents, farms and 4-H families.
Woodland Park, CO - CSU Extension Washington County
Akron office for Washington County 4-H, which publishes a yearly fair newsletter for exhibitors.
Akron, CO - CSU Extension Weld County
Greeley extension office for Weld County; it also runs the Colorado Dairy Youth Extravaganza at Island Grove Park.
Greeley, CO - CSU Extension Yuma County
Wray office for Yuma County; an extension office also sits on the county fairgrounds for stall signs and fair check-in.
Wray, CO - Custer County CSU Extension Office
Custer County Extension (Colorado State University) is at 205 South 6th Street in Westcliffe. Serves the Wet Mountain Valley ranching community from Westcliffe. Call (719) 783-2514.
205 South 6th Street, Westcliffe, CO 81252 | (719) 783-2514 Website - Delta County CSU Extension Office
Part of the Tri River Area team and close to the North Fork orchard country. The Delta County CSU Extension office is located at 525 Dodge Street, Delta, CO 81416; phone (970) 874-2195.
525 Dodge Street, Delta, CO 81416 | (970) 874-2195 Website - Denver County CSU Extension Office
CSU Extension office for Denver County at 888 East Iliff Avenue, Denver. Urban office offering food, gardening and youth programs for the city and county. Phone (720) 913-5270.
888 East Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO 80210 | (720) 913-5270 Website - Dolores County CSU Extension Office
Dolores County Extension (Colorado State University) is at 409 North Main Street (Courthouse) in Dove Creek. Dove Creek, known for dryland bean and wheat farming, hosts this courthouse office. Call (970) 677-2283.
409 North Main Street (Courthouse), Dove Creek, CO 81324 | (970) 677-2283 Website - Douglas County CSU Extension Office
Based at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, the site of the annual fair and rodeo. The Douglas County CSU Extension office is located at 410 Fairgrounds Road, Castle Rock, CO 80104; phone (720) 733-6930.
410 Fairgrounds Road, Castle Rock, CO 80104 | (720) 733-6930 Website - Eagle County CSU Extension Office
CSU Extension office for Eagle County at 441 Broadway, Eagle. Run alongside county government in Eagle, with mountain horticulture and 4-H programs. Phone (970) 328-8630.
441 Broadway, Eagle, CO 81631 | (970) 328-8630 Website - El Paso County CSU Extension Office
El Paso County Extension (Colorado State University) is at 17 N Spruce St in Colorado Springs. Serves Colorado Springs and the ranches of the Black Forest and eastern county. Call (719) 520-7690.
17 N Spruce St, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 | (719) 520-7690 Website
Plus 47 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Colorado directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.