Colorado Department of Agriculture Lab and Career Q&A

• Students will spend the day visiting the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Division of Laboratory Services (DLS), located in Broomfield.
• This field trip offers a rare opportunity to explore real working laboratories and meet the scientists who support Colorado’s agricultural, consumer safety, and environmental programs.
• The DLS is home to three specialized labs: Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) – Focuses on livestock disease testing and traceability. BioChem Laboratory (BCL)– Analyzes animal feeds, fertilizers, and food products for safety and label accuracy. Metrology Laboratory (MTL) – Maintains and calibrates the state's official standards for weights and measures.

• Students will be divided into small groups and rotate through each lab, spending about 45 minutes in each. Every station includes a tour, hands-on activities, and time to ask questions.
• After the rotations, the full group will come together for a career discussion and final Q\&A session with lab professionals.
• This trip is ideal for students interested in science, technology, veterinary fields, agriculture, public health, or forensic work. It's a hands-on way to see how classroom learning connects to real-world careers
• What to Know: Wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes
• Outreach visits typically run 2-2 1/2 hours. Three small groups will rotate through each lab spending about 45 minutes in each for a tour and a hands-on activity.
• The groups will come together afterward for questions and career discussion but questions during time in each lab are most welcome!
• 📍The laboratory is located at 300 S. Technology Ct. Broomfield, CO 80021. We are located behind, west of the main CDA offices. Enter through the Front Lobby.

From the Department of Agriculture:

Attached you will find a photo release form. We like to share photos internally to illustrate our Outreach initiative. With permission, our Comms team may utilize photos on social media to spread the word about our program.