Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Credit Workshops

By Wilma Trujillo, SEA Agronomist

In the state of Colorado, pesticide application is regulated by a very strict set of laws enforced by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA). Some of the regulations include the licensing of private, commercial, limited-commercial, and public pesticide applicators. The purpose of the license is to demonstrate a level of competency by pesticide users on the safe use of pesticides. To become licensed, a private applicator must take and pass an open book test developed by the CDA. Commercial applicators must take a closed book test for categories in which they wish to be licensed. All pesticide applicator licenses are valid for three years. Under the Colorado Pesticide Applicators Act, applicators must re-certify either by re-examination or by attending pesticide education programs to acquire continuing education credits (CEC’s) in core subjects and for a commercial applicator, one or two CEC(s) in each of the categories in which they are currently licensed.

Colorado State University’s Southeast Area Extension is offering two Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Credit Workshops in December. The first workshop is in Springfield at the Baca County Fairgrounds Minnick Building on December 4 at 12:30 pm. The second workshop will be in Rocky Ford at the Otero County Extension office on December 5 at 8:00 am. The training is aimed to provide new information on pest control, health and environmental safety, pest management technology and changes in pesticide laws and regulations. The workshops also provide all 7 credits required for both private and commercial applicators to be re-certified.

The workshop fees are $40 for private and commercial applicators. If you are interested in attending one of the workshops, please contact your local County Extension Office (Bent, Baca, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers) for more information and registration forms. You can also contact Wilma Trujillo, the Southeast Area Agronomist, at the Prowers Extension Office, 1001 S. Main Street, Lamar, CO. Tel: (719) 336-7734 or at wilma.trujillo@colostate.edu. Registration deadline is November 29, 2013.

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