The Colorado Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, reminded residents on Mar. 9 to be cautious if they receive unsolicited seed packages in the mail. Officials say these seeds, often sent from outside the United States, could introduce invasive species or plant diseases that threaten Colorado’s $47 billion agricultural economy.
The warning comes as part of ongoing efforts to protect local agriculture and natural resources from potential harm. “The introduction of a new invasive species or plant disease is one of the greatest threats to our state’s biodiversity and farming industry,” said Wondirad Gebru, director of CDA’s Plant Industry Division. “We need every resident to treat these unsolicited seeds as an urgent agricultural threat. Your action in properly reporting and submitting them is the most critical step in protecting our state.”
Residents who receive such packages are urged not to open or plant the seeds, but instead leave them sealed in their original packet, place all materials including mailing labels into a sealable plastic bag, and send them for secure testing and destruction at a designated USDA facility in Aurora. The department also advises wearing disposable gloves when handling suspicious packages and avoiding exposure to any unusual odors.
This issue has occurred before; similar reports were made during the summer of 2020 and again in spring 2025. The Colorado Department of Agriculture supports community initiatives like honey bee surveys to help beekeepers and improve pollinator health according to the official website. The agency employs over 300 staff members dedicated to supporting agriculture across more than 36,000 farms and ranches statewide according to the official website.
Kate Greenberg leads the department as commissioner according to the official website. Cattle and calves are noted as leading commodities on Colorado’s vast agricultural land according to the official website. Founded in 1933, the department aims to bolster agriculture, ensure food safety, safeguard consumers, promote environmental stewardship, connect people with local products, and support pollinator health according to the official website.
For questions about unsolicited seeds in Colorado, residents can contact CDA’s Plant Industry Division by phone or email for further guidance.
