DENVER (AP) – Gov. John Hickenlooper has formally requested federal drought assistance for Elbert and Douglas counties.

Hickenlooper sent a letter Monday to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack seeking a primary drought disaster declaration for the two counties. A declaration would allow farmers and ranchers to seek emergency loans if they cannot obtain credit elsewhere.

In his letter to Vilsack, Hickenlooper noted that drought conditions in southern Colorado have spread north.

The USDA already has approved primary disaster declarations for 17 southern Colorado counties.

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