Research Centers

The CAES supports one on-campus and seven off-campus research centers, 8 sites, to conduct research to meet agricultural production needs in different regions of the state.

1. Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center – Fort Collins
2. Arkansas Valley – Rocky Ford
3. Eastern Colorado – Akron
4. Plainsman – Walsh
5. Plant Growth Facilities – Fort Collins
6. San Luis Valley – Center
7. Southwestern Colorado – Yellow Jacket
8. Western Colorado Research Center
   • Grand Valley – Mesa County
   • Orchard Mesa – Grand Junction
   • Rogers Mesa – Hotchkiss

Research Center Conferences:

• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015

Join us on a short video tour of our research stations locations and specialties.

---

Summary of Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station Research Center Biogeographic and Facilities

CAES Research Center	Location	Miles from Campus	Elevation (feet)	Average Precipitation (inches)	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	Fruita	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

*Includes ARDEC South and North farms