Yes.
Avian flu outbreaks have led to the deaths of more than 11 million commercial chickens in Colorado since 2022.
Federal officials usually require farmers to “depopulate” an entire flock if a single bird contracts the disease to “stamp out” spread. The virus is highly contagious and can rapidly infect other livestock including cattle, pigs and goats. It’s also a threat to cats and dogs and even humans, though human transmissions are rare.
In January, the disease hit a commercial egg farming facility in Weld County, causing the farm to kill 1.3 million birds. This was the first outbreak at a commercial facility in Colorado since 2024.
A University of Arkansas study estimated that poultry losses due to avian flu in 2024 alone drove up egg prices nationwide by 9%, creating a $1.41 billion economic burden on consumers resulting from higher egg prices and lower consumption.
See full source list below.
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- Colorado Department of Agriculture spokesperson Olga Robak Email correspondence
- Colorado Department of Agriculture Colorado HPAI Cases by County
- Colorado Department of Agriculture CO: HPAI Flocks Impacted
- Legislative Council Staff Issue Brief Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
- University of Arkansas The Economic Impact of HPAI on U.S. Egg Consumers