Colorado’s high altitude and intense sunlight create unique growing conditions for crops with premium market prices. If you are looking for the best cash crops to grow in colorado, you need to consider plants that thrive in short growing seasons and dry climates. This guide covers top choices that can turn your Colorado land into a profitable venture.
Colorado farmers face challenges like unpredictable frost and low humidity. But these same factors can work in your favor. Many crops develop higher sugar content and stronger flavors under Colorado’s bright sun. This means you can sell them at a premium price.
Let’s explore the most profitable options for your farm or homestead.
Best Cash Crops To Grow In Colorado
When selecting crops, think about water needs, market demand, and your local soil type. The following crops have proven track records in Colorado’s agricultural zones. They offer good returns even on small plots of land.
Hemp For Industrial And CBD Markets
Hemp has become a top choice for Colorado growers. The state’s climate is ideal for this versatile plant. Hemp requires less water than many traditional crops. It also grows well in Colorado’s alkaline soils.
- Grain hemp for seeds and oil
- Fiber hemp for textiles and building materials
- CBD hemp for health and wellness products
You need a license from the Colorado Department of Agriculture to grow hemp. The application process is straightforward. Most growers see profits in their first or second season.
Profit Potential For Hemp
CBD hemp can bring in $30,000 to $50,000 per acre if you have good extraction contracts. Grain hemp offers lower returns but requires less processing. Fiber hemp is gaining traction as demand for sustainable materials grows.
Malting Barley For Craft Breweries
Colorado is home to hundreds of craft breweries. These businesses need high-quality malting barley. The state’s dry climate reduces disease pressure on barley crops. This results in cleaner grain with better malting properties.
- Choose two-row barley varieties like Copeland or Moravian
- Plant in early spring after soil temperatures reach 40°F
- Irrigate carefully to avoid water stress during grain fill
- Harvest when moisture drops below 13%
Contracts with breweries can guarantee your price. Many Colorado maltsters pay a premium for locally grown barley. You can earn $400 to $600 per ton depending on quality.
Sunflowers For Oil And Snacks
Sunflowers love Colorado’s long summer days. They tap deep soil moisture and tolerate drought well. You can grow them for oil production or as confectionery seeds for snacking.
Oil-type sunflowers yield about 1,500 to 2,000 pounds per acre. Confectionery sunflowers fetch higher prices but require more careful management. Birds can be a problem, so plan for bird deterrents.
Market Options For Sunflowers
- Sell to oil processors for cooking oil or biodiesel
- Market directly to health food stores as raw seeds
- Contract with birdseed companies
- Process into sunflower butter for local markets
Potatoes For Fresh Market And Processing
The San Luis Valley is famous for potato production. Colorado’s cool nights and warm days create perfect conditions for tuber development. Russet, red, and yellow varieties all perform well here.
Potatoes require consistent irrigation and careful pest management. But the returns can be substantial. Fresh market potatoes bring $200 to $400 per ton. Processing potatoes for chips or fries have lower prices but more stable demand.
You need good storage facilities to hold potatoes until prices rise. Many growers use climate-controlled barns to extend their selling season.
Millet For Gluten-Free Markets
Millet is a drought-tolerant grain that thrives in Colorado’s dry conditions. It grows quickly and requires minimal inputs. The gluten-free trend has boosted demand for millet flour and whole grains.
Proso millet is the most common variety in Colorado. It matures in just 60 to 80 days. This makes it ideal for short growing seasons or as a double crop after winter wheat.
Prices range from $8 to $12 per bushel. Organic millet commands even higher premiums. You can sell to health food companies or local bakeries.
Specialty Crops With High Returns
Beyond traditional field crops, Colorado offers opportunities for specialty produce. These crops require more labor but yield higher profits per acre. They are perfect for small farms or market gardens.
Garlic For Gourmet Markets
Colorado’s cold winters are actually good for garlic. The cold period triggers bulb formation. Hardneck varieties like German Red and Music perform exceptionally well.
Plant garlic in October for harvest the following July. You can sell bulbs at farmers markets for $8 to $12 per pound. Seed garlic for planting fetches even higher prices.
- Prepare soil with plenty of compost
- Mulch heavily to protect from winter heaving
- Remove scapes to focus energy on bulb growth
- Cure bulbs for two weeks before selling
Lavender For Essential Oils And Dried Flowers
Lavender loves Colorado’s dry climate and alkaline soils. It requires very little water once established. You can sell fresh bundles, dried flowers, or distilled essential oil.
English lavender and French lavender both grow well here. The harvest window is short but profitable. A quarter-acre plot can produce $10,000 to $15,000 in annual revenue.
Lavender also attracts tourists if you open your farm for u-pick events. This adds an extra income stream with minimal investment.
Pumpkins For Fall Sales
Pumpkins are a classic Colorado cash crop. They grow well in the state’s warm days and cool nights. You can sell them directly to consumers at farm stands or through agritourism.
Choose varieties that mature in 90 to 110 days. Connecticut Field and Howden are reliable choices. Specialty pumpkins like Cinderella or Jarrahdale fetch higher prices.
Consider adding a corn maze or hayride to increase your pumpkin patch income. Many families make a day trip out of pumpkin picking.
Grain Crops For Large Acreage
If you have significant land, traditional grain crops can provide steady income. Colorado’s dryland farming techniques make these crops viable even with limited irrigation.
Winter Wheat For Consistent Returns
Winter wheat is the most widely grown crop in Colorado. It uses fall moisture and goes dormant during winter. Spring rains help it finish before summer heat arrives.
Yields average 30 to 50 bushels per acre under dryland conditions. Irrigated fields can produce 80 to 100 bushels. Prices fluctuate but typically range from $5 to $8 per bushel.
Wheat straw is an additional income source. You can bale and sell it for livestock bedding or erosion control.
Corn For Grain Or Silage
Corn requires more water than wheat but offers higher yields. Colorado growers produce both grain corn and silage corn for dairy farms. Field corn for animal feed is the most common.
Short-season varieties are essential for Colorado’s climate. Look for hybrids with 85 to 100 day maturity. Plant in late April or early May for best results.
Grain corn yields 150 to 200 bushels per acre under irrigation. Silage corn produces 20 to 30 tons per acre. Prices depend on local demand and transportation costs.
Dry Beans For Specialty Markets
Colorado is a top producer of pinto beans. The state’s dry climate reduces disease pressure and allows for clean harvests. Other bean types like black, kidney, and navy also perform well.
Dry beans require careful weed management. They are sensitive to herbicide carryover from previous crops. But the profit potential is strong, especially for organic beans.
Prices for conventional pinto beans range from $30 to $50 per hundredweight. Organic beans can sell for double that amount. Many growers contract with food companies before planting.
Fruit Crops For Diversified Income
Colorado’s fruit industry is smaller but growing. The state’s unique climate allows for high-quality fruit that commands premium prices. These crops require more investment but offer long-term returns.
Wine Grapes For Local Wineries
Colorado has over 150 wineries that need local grapes. The Western Slope and Front Range offer ideal conditions for vinifera varieties. Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Riesling all do well here.
Grapevines take three to four years to reach full production. But once established, they can produce for decades. Prices range from $1,500 to $3,000 per ton for premium varieties.
You need to manage winter cold carefully. Some growers use wind machines or heaters to protect vines during frost events. Site selection is critical for success.
Apples For Fresh Eating And Cider
Colorado’s high elevation gives apples intense flavor and crisp texture. Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji are popular fresh varieties. Heirloom apples for hard cider are also in demand.
Dwarf trees start producing in three to four years. You can plant 300 to 500 trees per acre. A mature orchard can yield 20,000 to 30,000 pounds per acre.
Direct sales at farmers markets or through community supported agriculture (CSA) programs offer the best returns. You can also press cider for local restaurants.
Cherries For Short Season Profits
Tart cherries are well-suited to Colorado’s climate. They require fewer chill hours than sweet cherries. The Western Slope produces excellent Montmorency tart cherries.
Cherry trees are smaller than apple trees, allowing for higher density planting. Harvest happens in July, which is earlier than many other fruit crops. This gives you a jump on the market.
You can sell fresh cherries, freeze them, or process them into pie filling. Tart cherry juice is also popular for its health benefits.
Herbs And Medicinal Plants
Colorado’s clean air and pure water make it ideal for growing high-quality herbs. These crops require more labor but offer excellent profit margins for small farms.
Mint For Essential Oils
Peppermint and spearmint grow well in Colorado’s irrigated valleys. The state’s cool nights help concentrate essential oils. Mint is a perennial crop that can produce for three to five years.
You need a still to extract the oil. This is a significant upfront investment. But peppermint oil sells for $20 to $40 per pound depending on quality.
Mint spreads aggressively through underground runners. You need to contain it with barriers or regular tilling around the patch.
Echinacea For Herbal Supplements
Echinacea is native to the Great Plains and adapts well to Colorado. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. The roots and flowers are used for immune support supplements.
Plants take two to three years to reach harvestable size. You can sell dried roots for $10 to $20 per pound. Fresh flowers are also marketable to herbal tea companies.
Echinacea is drought-tolerant once established. It requires minimal irrigation after the first year. This makes it a low-input crop for marginal land.
Calendula For Skin Care Products
Calendula flowers are used in salves, creams, and teas. They are easy to grow and produce continuously from summer until frost. Colorado’s dry climate reduces petal rot common in humid areas.
You can sell fresh flowers to local soap makers or dry them for wholesale. Dried calendula petals fetch $8 to $15 per pound. A small patch can generate significant income.
Calendula also attracts beneficial insects to your farm. This helps with pest control on other crops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Most Profitable Cash Crop In Colorado?
Hemp for CBD extraction currently offers the highest profit potential per acre. However, market prices can fluctuate. Potatoes and malting barley provide more stable returns for established growers.
Can You Grow Cash Crops On Small Acreage In Colorado?
Yes, specialty crops like garlic, lavender, and herbs can generate significant income on one to five acres. These crops require more labor but offer higher profit margins per square foot.
What Crops Grow Best In Colorado’s High Altitude?
Cold-hardy crops like winter wheat, barley, potatoes, and apples perform well at high elevations. Short-season varieties of corn and beans also succeed with proper management.
How Much Water Do Cash Crops Need In Colorado?
Water needs vary widely. Drought-tolerant crops like millet and lavender require minimal irrigation. Potatoes and corn need consistent moisture. Most Colorado farmers use drip irrigation or center pivots to maximize efficiency.
Are There Government Programs For Colorado Cash Crop Farmers?
Yes, the USDA offers crop insurance, conservation programs, and disaster assistance. Colorado also has state-specific grants for specialty crop producers. Contact your local extension office for current opportunities.
Final Tips For Colorado Cash Crop Success
Start small and test your soil before planting large acreage. Colorado’s soils vary greatly from sandy loam to heavy clay. Amend accordingly for best results.
Build relationships with local buyers before harvest. Breweries, restaurants, and health food stores often prefer local sources. This gives you price stability and reduces marketing stress.
Consider joining a growers cooperative to access better pricing on inputs and marketing. The Colorado Farm Bureau and local extension offices can connect you with resources.
Finally, keep detailed records of your inputs and yields. This data helps you make better decisions each season. It also supports your case for crop insurance or loans.
Colorado’s agricultural potential is huge. With careful planning and the right crop choices, you can build a profitable farming operation. The key is matching your land and resources to market demand.
Start with one or two of these best cash crops to grow in colorado. Expand as you gain experience and confidence. Your Colorado farm can thrive in this unique growing environment.