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There are a ton of beekeeping resources available on the internet, social media, and books. Like you, we are avid readers and love to learn as much as we can about beekeeping and all the different activities associated. We have compiled a short list of resources that we think will be beneficial.
Colorado Parks & Wildlife Resources:
Game Damage Program:
https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/GameDamage.aspx
Fencing with Wildlife in Mind:
Apiary 8X8 Manual: https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/LandWater/PrivateLandPrograms/GameDamage/Apiary8x8Manual.pdf#search=electric%20fencing
Colorado State University Publications:
Integrated Hive Management for Colorado Beekeepers
Dr. Arathi Seshadri and Thia Walker
Strategies for Identifying and Mitigating Pests and Diseases Affecting Colorado’s Honey Bees
https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/insect/ihm-bee.pdf
Colorado State University Fact Sheets:
Creating Pollinator Habitat – 5.616:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/creating-pollinator-habitat-5-616/
Attracting Native Bees to Your Landscape – 5.615:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/attracting-native-bees-landscape-5-615/
Feeding Honey Bees In Colorado – 5.622:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/feeding-honey-bees-in-colorado-5-622/
Colorado Cottage food safety training:
In 2012, the Colorado legislature enacted the Colorado Cottage Foods Act, allowing limited types of food products that are non-potentially hazardous (do not require refrigeration for safety) to be sold directly to consumers without licensing or inspections.
Fact sheet:
Colorado-Cottage-Foods-Act-Fact-Sheet-PDF (pitkincounty.com)
An unofficial copy of the entire Act is available, with recent changes indicated with CAPITALIZED LETTERS.
CTF_REG_FinalAct DistCopy_2016_EN - Google Drive
The Colorado Bee and Bee Products Act
The Colorado Bee and Bee Products Act was originally adopted in 1963. Between 1963 and 1987, the purpose of the Bee Act and its associated Rules was to inspect beehives statewide for bee diseases and to prevent the spread of bee diseases* from one apiary to another. CDA required destruction of diseased beehives. Prior to 1985, inspections were made randomly, except for those beekeepers requesting an inspection in order to get certification for out-of-state shipment of their bees.
In the mid-1980s the Bee Inspection program switched from State funding (taxpayer/General fund) to self-funding via registration/licensing fees. Legislative mandates required that this program, along with several other state regulatory programs, become self-funded. In 1987 the Bee Advisory committee began advocating for the decrease in registration fees, and the beekeeper inspection program began operating on a very limited basis. Routine inspections were discontinued in 1987. The number of licensed beekeepers decreased from 380 in 1987 to 12 in 1988. Finally, in 1990 the registration fees were eliminated and the program has been unfunded ever since.
https://ag.colorado.gov/plants/apiary-program-page/the-colorado-bee-and-bee-products-act
The Colorado Pollinator Workgroup
The Colorado Pollinator Workgroup consists of representation from commercial pesticide applicators, beekeepers, county land managers, Colorado State University, pesticide registrants, EPA, CDA and other interested stakeholders.
The Colorado Pollinator Workgroup's mission is to:
Establish open communication between the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Beekeeping Associations, Pesticide Applicators and other identified stakeholders to clarify and communicate: existing practices being used by all stakeholders to prevent pollinator decline, updates on research, updates in new equipment and practices, identify existing communication paths between all stakeholders, identify areas for improved communication and identify new ways for communication.
The following document, Operational Guidelines to Avoid Pesticide Related Bee Kills for Aerial Applicators and Beekeepers, was originally developed by Aerial applicators and beekeeping associations in the 90's. The Colorado Pollinator Workgroup, which was established in May 2011, updated this document in 2012. Many of the application and communication guidelines recommended here, although directed toward aerial applicators and beekeepers in this document, can be applied to all pesticide application situations. The CDA encourages all pesticide applicators and beekeepers to communicate and work together when pesticide applications need to occur in close proximity to known apiary sites.
https://ag.colorado.gov/the-colorado-pollinator-workgroup
Pollinator Protection Bees
There are hundreds of species of native bees in Colorado as well as several thousand hives of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) managed commercially and by hobby beekeepers across the state. All of these species, as well as butterflies, moths, flies, hummingbirds and others, are very important pollinators of native and non-native crop and landscape plants.
All pollinators are facing threats from complex interacting factors. Managed honey bees (Apis mellifera) are facing threats from increased disease and mite parasites, lack of genetic diversity, habitat loss due to the expansion of urban landscapes and crop monoculture, stress due to the transport of commercial hives to California to pollinate almonds and environmental toxins including pesticides.
The Colorado Departmentof Agriculture supports the use of integrated hive management to promote proper hive hygiene, mite and disease management, regulates the proper use of pesticides and promotes improved habitat for all pollinators
https://ag.colorado.gov/plants/apiary-program-page/pollinator-protection
BeeCheck.org (formerly called DriftWatch) Pesticide Sensitive View for Applicators
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has recently entered into a cooperative agreement with Purdue University to implement the DriftWatch Pesticide Sensitive Viewer program in the State of Colorado. What is DriftWatch you may ask?
DriftWatch was designed in 2008 by staff from the Purdue University Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Agricultural Communications departments with input and support from Purdue University Cooperative Extension Specialists. This year, with the help of EPA funding, the Colorado Department of Agriculture has now implemented DriftWatch in the State of Colorado.
DriftWatch was developed to help pesticide applicators, specialty crop growers and stewards of at-risk habitats to communicate more effectively to protect pesticide-sensitive areas. DriftWatch is not intended to be a registry for homeowners or sites less than half an acre of agriculture production.
The site features an easy-to-use Google Map interface that clearly shows applicators the locations of registered areas so they can take the appropriate precautions and if need be communicate with a DriftWatch participant before they spray.
Some of the sensitive crop areas, or data layers, that CDA intends to register in Colorado include beehives, certified organic crops, fruits, grapes, nursery crops, pumpkins, melons, tomatoes and vegetables. The Department will review and consider adding additional sensitive sites upon request by growers or applicators.
Registration is voluntary and simple. For agricultural producers, it involves going to the Colorado DriftWatch site, which will be accessible through the Driftwatch organization or through CDA's website, where they will be directed how to register their field sites, commodity and contact information. When commercial applicators register they will designate the area within the state they perform work, which will allow them to see DriftWatch participants located within that area. Applicators can also receive an e-mail notifying them of newly registered growers in their designated area.
The Colorado Driftwatch program is up and running! The Department would be happy to speak to your Association members to provide an overview of the Driftwatch program and answer any questions you may have. You may contact John Scott at 303-869-9056if you have any questions or to request a formal presentation of Driftwatch.
https://ag.colorado.gov/driftwatch-pesticide-sensitive-viewer
Recommended Trade Journals
Regional Organizations:
Colorado State Beekeepers Association (CSBA): Colorado State Beekeepers Association organized in 1880 (coloradobeekeepers.org)
National Organizations:
American Association of Professional Apiculturists (AAPA)
American Beekeeping Federation (ABF)
American Honey Producers Association (AHPA)
American Honey Show Training Council
Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA)
Bee Informed Partnership (BIP)
Beekeeping Laws and Regulations:
Please do your own research for the area that you want to keep your bees, as different municipalities have their own laws/regulation for keeping honey bees: https://library.municode.com/co
Colorado Springs: https://coloradosprings.gov/planning-and-development/page/residential-accessory-use
Arvada (see article 8): https://library.municode.com/co/arvada/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH38EN_ARTVIIIBE
Broomfield: https://www.broomfield.org/DocumentCenter/View/12264/Beekeeping-License?bidId=
Castle Rock: https://library.municode.com/co/castle_rock/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT6AN
Centennial: https://www.centennialco.gov/Residents/Health-Environment/Beekeeping
Denver (see article 11): https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances
Golden:https://www.cityofgolden.net/media/InfoSALBeekeeping.pdf
Jefferson County: https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/2069/Backyard-Honeybees-PDF?bidId=
Parker: https://www.parkeronline.org/DocumentCenter/View/22557/Beekeeping-Ordinance?bidId=
National Master Beekeeper Programs
Alabama Master Beekeepers Program
California Master Beekeeper Program
Cornell University Master Beekeeper Program
Eastern Apiculture Society Master Beekeeper Program
UF/IFAS Master Beekeeper Program
Georgia Master Beekeeper Program
Great Plains Master Beekeeping Program
North Carolina State University Advanced Courses
Oregon Master Beekeeper Program
Tennessee Master Beekeeping Program
Texas Master Beekeeper Program
University of Montana Master Beekeeper Program
Washington Master Beekeepers Program
Resources for Veterans:
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Many Veterans are finding farming and beekeeping to be therapeutic and meaningful, and this work often comes with a community Veterans can rely on. A variety of free opportunities exclusively for Veterans interested in beekeeping or agricultural programs are listed below. If you know of any other, please list it in the comments so we can include.
Free farming and beekeeping opportunities for Veterans - VA News
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides financial, educational, or business and training resources through a variety of programs aimed at Veterans. USDA wants to ensure that Veterans looking to return home or start a new career on a farm or in a rural community have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison (MVAL), managed by USDA, helps Veterans connect to agricultural employment, education, and entrepreneurship on the farm and beyond by:
Military Veterans interested in agriculture are invited to attend a series of on-farm and virtual workshops. A new 3-year series from 2024-2026 highlights agritourism. In 2024, “Agritourism through Farm Stores” starts Feb. 19 and runs through August, rotating between online classroom sessions and on-farm sessions with an online option. Programming is funded through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
F.A.R.M. offers the Future Farmer Internship available to Veterans, serving to help them find peace, purpose and opportunity through therapeutic agriculture training. At the end of the internship, Veterans will be prepared to start or expand their own farm through regenerative farming practices, agribusiness, crop planning, marketing and other learned skills.
The internships supports three main areas: agriculture, living and alternative.
Cultivating a new generation of farmers and food leaders and developing viable employment and meaningful careers through the collaboration of the farming and military communities. Programs available to Veterans include:
An apprentice program that provides hands-on farming experience and education to post-9/11 Veterans interested in starting their own small-scale farm that focuses on fruit and vegetable crops, along with beekeeping and raising small animals.
Veterans willing to commit to working two full days a week for 12 months will receive a monthly stipend.
Fields 4 Valor Farms grows and delivers vegetables, eggs and honey to local Veteran families in their goal to end Veteran hunger.
Armed to Farm has supported more than 1,000 Veterans from 47 states with hands-on and classroom learning opportunities. Farmer Veterans learn how to make a business plan and market their products, how to access USDA programs, set business goals and develop mentorships with seasoned farmers. There are three training series currently available:
Founded in 2013 to enhance the mental, emotional and physical well-being of Veterans and their families. Some of the events and workshops offered throughout the year include equine therapy, canine therapy, medicinal herbs, art therapy, music therapy, canning and jam making, mushroom growing, organic gardening, suicide prevention, mental health first aid and much more.
Everything grown at the farm is donated back to the Veteran community.
Located in Colorado, this organization offers training programs in market farming, hydroponics, urban farming (backyard farming) and business planning. Veterans may also bring guests with them for urban farming courses (free of charge). These programs are a combination of on-the-job training and classroom time. At the completion of all these programs, each Veteran will receive a Certificate of Completion recognized by Colorado State University’s Extension Office.
Truman VA Hospital Veterans can participate in vocational rehabilitation or recreational therapy through Veterans Urban Farm (located in Missouri). Produce grown on site is donated to local Veterans and is used in health focused programming at the VA hospital.
Veterans Urban Farm apprenticeship is open to all Veterans. Paid apprentices work on the farm for one growing season learning a variety of skills.
Offered through Michigan State University Extension, this free hybrid learning program offers online courses as well hands-on education experiences. All hands-on courses are offered in Michigan. The unique program seeks to address financial and personal wellness of Veterans through professional training and community development.
This beekeeping for Veterans program is offered through the University of Minnesota for free for all Minnesota Veterans. This program offers workshops, field trips to visit commercial beekeepers and an open house at the Bee Lab. Participants will be provided with protective equipment, but can choose to bring their own. Workshops include instruction on basic beekeeping techniques, tips on seasonal bee management, knowledge of honeybee biology and the connection between people and pollinators.
This non-profit organization focuses on providing a healthy transition from service through sustainability and conservation. Active duty service members, Veterans and first responders with little to no beekeeping experience are welcome and will be paired with a local mentor. Local mentors will teach hands-on training at their respective apiary (location where beehives are kept).
Within VA health care, a new program called Honeybee Initiative for Veterans Empowerment and Support (HIVES) is being piloted. HIVES mission is to empower Veterans to use beekeeping to manage their overall well-being, while supporting VA employees in facilitating a wellness-based beekeeping program. This new program is currently being offered at the Manchester VAMC, the Kansas City VAMC, and the Palo Alto VAMC through their respective Recreation Therapy Clinics.
Online Recommended Resources:
Scientific Beekeeping:
http://scientificbeekeeping.com/
University of Nebraska – Lincoln Entomology Department:
Bees and Honey: Creating Pollinator Gardens: https://www.bottlestore.com/beesandhoneycreatingpollinatorgardens
Bee Informed - Rob Snyder:
School Research Project - Olivia: