PRESS RELEASE
RBC | Following continued reports of unsolicited seed packages arriving through the mail, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) is urgently reminding Colorado residents to be highly vigilant. These packages, often originating from outside the United States, are not a harmless curiosity—they are a potential vector for invasive species, pests, and plant diseases that could seriously damage Colorado’s $47 billion agricultural economy, native landscapes, and natural resources.
“The introduction of a new invasive species or plant disease is one of the greatest threats to our state’s biodiversity and farming industry,” said Wondirad Gebru, director of CDA’s Plant Industry Division. “We need every resident to treat these unsolicited seeds as an urgent agricultural threat. Your action in properly reporting and submitting them is the most critical step in protecting our state.”
Immediate Action: How to Safely Handle Unsolicited Seeds
If you receive a package of seeds that you did not order, it is essential that you follow these three simple steps immediately:
DO NOT Open the Seed Packets: Leave the seeds sealed in their original packet and place all materials, including the mailing label, inside a sealable plastic bag.
DO NOT Plant Them: Keep the seeds and all packaging away from soil, plants, and water sources. These materials are a potential biohazard.
Mail for Identification: After submitting your report, place the sealed plastic bag into an envelope or box and mail the entire shipment (seeds and all packaging) for secure testing and destruction to:
USDA APHIS PPQ
3950 North Lewiston Street, Suite 104, Aurora, CO 80011-1561
State and federal officials use advanced sampling and identification procedures, including examination by professional botanists, to ensure these shipments are safely and efficiently processed.
Important Safety Note: If you need to handle the package, please wear disposable gloves. If a chemical or unusual odor is present, do not sniff intentionally, and move the package to a well-ventilated area. Never discard unsolicited seeds in the trash or compost.
This is not the first time Coloradans have received seeds from unknown sources. In the summer of 2020, CDA received numerous reports of unsolicited seed packages and more reports were made in the spring of 2025.
For any questions regarding unsolicited seeds in Colorado, you can contact the CDA Plant Industry Division at (303) 869-9052 or email [email protected].
