Why It Matters
Avian flu has decimated Colorado’s commercial poultry industry, killing more than 11 million chickens since 2022 and driving up egg prices nationwide. The disease poses significant economic consequences for consumers and farmers alike, while also threatening broader livestock operations and potential human health risks. In January 2026, a Weld County egg farming facility lost 1.3 million birds in a single outbreak—the first commercial facility infection in Colorado since 2024—underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of the state’s poultry sector to highly contagious avian influenza.
What Happened
Colorado has experienced substantial poultry losses from avian influenza outbreaks over the past four years. The most recent significant event occurred in January 2026, when the virus struck a commercial egg farming facility in Weld County, forcing farmers to kill 1.3 million birds. This outbreak marked the first instance of avian flu affecting a commercial poultry facility in Colorado since 2024.
When avian flu is detected in a commercial flock, federal officials typically mandate “depopulation”—the culling of an entire flock—to prevent further spread of the virus. This protocol applies even if only a single bird tests positive, reflecting the disease’s highly contagious nature and rapid transmission potential among poultry.
The virus extends beyond chickens and egg-laying operations. Avian influenza can infect other livestock including cattle, pigs, and goats. The disease also poses risks to companion animals such as cats and dogs. While human transmission occurs rarely, avian flu remains a potential public health concern.
By The Numbers
- 11 million: Commercial chickens killed in Colorado due to avian flu since 2022
- 1.3 million: Birds depopulated in the January 2026 Weld County outbreak
- 9%: Nationwide increase in egg prices driven by avian flu poultry losses in 2024 alone
- $1.41 billion: Economic burden on U.S. consumers in 2024 resulting from higher egg prices and reduced consumption, according to University of Arkansas research
Zoom Out
Colorado’s avian flu crisis reflects a broader national challenge. Poultry losses across the United States have created significant disruptions to the egg supply chain and consumer costs. A University of Arkansas study determined that 2024 poultry deaths from avian flu alone increased egg prices by 9 percent nationwide, imposing substantial economic costs on American households through both elevated prices and reduced purchasing volumes.
The Weld County outbreak in January 2026 represents a resurgence of the disease in Colorado’s commercial operations after a gap in reported cases at large-scale facilities. This pattern mirrors outbreaks observed in other major poultry-producing states, where avian flu continues to cycle through commercial and backyard flocks.
The disease’s ability to spread to cattle, swine, and other livestock adds complexity to agricultural disease management. Regulators across multiple states have heightened monitoring protocols to detect and contain infections before they spread across farm operations.
What’s Next
Colorado Department of Agriculture officials continue to track avian influenza cases across the state. The mandatory depopulation protocol remains in effect for any confirmed infections in commercial operations, meaning additional outbreaks will trigger immediate culling of affected flocks.
Farmers and industry officials are expected to maintain heightened biosecurity measures, including restricted facility access, equipment sanitation, and workforce protocols designed to reduce transmission risk. State agricultural agencies will likely continue coordination with federal officials to monitor for new outbreaks and implement rapid response procedures.
The economic impacts on Colorado consumers and producers will depend on the frequency and scale of future outbreaks. If avian flu infections accelerate, egg prices could face additional upward pressure, continuing the pattern observed nationally in 2024 and 2025.
Surveillance data from the Colorado Department of Agriculture remains the primary source for tracking HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) case counts, affected counties, and impacted flocks. Public health agencies will monitor for any zoonotic transmission events, particularly given the disease’s established ability to infect multiple animal species and the documented rare instances of human infection.