Sakata Steps into Acting Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Role
DENVER, CO., January 15, 2026 - In Colorado, this week marked the first Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting of the new year, the first day of the legislative session, and the first days of Governor Jared Polis' final year in office.
Robert Sakata delivered his first update to the CPW Commission as acting Commissioner of Agriculture on Wednesday. He reported that Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg welcomed a baby girl earlier in the week and both are doing well. He said Greenberg plans to gradually return to her post in April.
Despite uncertainty of future releases, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Agriculture are continuing to meet with producers around the state in anticipation of livestock conflicts with wolves. He thanked Acting CPW Director Laura Clellan for reaching out to the ag community, specifically meeting with the Colorado Woolgrowers.
Sakata also thanked them for their response to the mountain lion attack on Jan. 1 that claimed the life of a woman on a trail in Jefferson County.
"Our condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the victim and, as Director Gibbs said, also to the CPW staff," Sakata said. "Your immediate response to that, I know it was tough to handle. Commissioner Greenberg said she has often gone on that trail and so is very familiar with the area. I know it was a really difficult time but you guys did a great job responding very quickly and compassionately to that tough situation."
In her report to the Commission, Clellan indicated that CPW staff has received death threats after the lethal removal of two juvenile mountain lions associated with that fatal attack. One of those lions had human DNA on its paws.
He said State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin organized a workshop at CDA on New World Screw worm, and it was very well attended.
"We had great partnership with CDPHE staff, with law enforcement, with state patrol, and of course, a critical partner was CPW staff," he said. "I got to meet quite a few of your staff there, everything from communications to on the ground and that's what it's going to take if we ever face a situation like that. We took a lot of the lessons we learned from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza to be prepared for New World Screw Worm."
He said there have been additional recent cases of HPAI in backyard flocks in Weld and Morgan Counties, and without typical freezing temperatures to freeze typical pests like corn ear worm or cabbage worm, he said we need to be prepared to proactively deal with some of the invasive species not seen in the past.
As the 2026 legislative session begins, Sakata said CDA's legislative priorities are securing Colorado's farm land and water for the next generation by expanding the revolving loan program; securing Colorado's livestock agency from emerging threats like New World Screw Worm by modifying our livestock indemnity fund; streamlining the tax credit to boost healthy food access by expanding the eligibility for producers who participate in charitable food programs and farm to school programs; and a request for support for the program promoting safe disposal and recycling of commercial and agricultural pesticides.
Other highlights within CDA include the CDA Insectary in Palisade gearing up to determine natural threats to offset the effects of the pine beetle in cooperation with CPW; urban agriculture microgrants, the opening of the specialty crop block grants; and in the year the United Nations dubbed the year of the woman farmer, the newly elected Conservation Board is all female.
"Growing up as a farmer, women were the unsung heroes behind the scenes and it's exciting to see women in leadership roles and we're excited by that," he said.
To celebrate the sesquicentennial of the U.S. and the 150th birthday of the state, he said CDA commissioned a mural to highlight the "broad diversity of agriculture across the state, not only historically but what has brought us here now and the advancements in agriculture today." The mural is currently displayed at the National Western in the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center and will be displayed at several stops around the state, culminating the tour at the Colorado State Fair.
Sakata grew up on a family produce farm near Brighton and was encouraged to commit to civic service by his parents. He served on the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission for 15 years, which he said was his main introduction to CPW through the aquatic life issues.
Source: Rachel Gabel
