Colorado Potato Administrative Committee has asked the Colorado Department of Agriculture to impose a quarantine on the planting and sales of certain tree species.
The growers want to keep prunus species trees out to reduce the over-wintering hosts of aphids. Aphids vector potato leaf roll virus, among other viruses.
The species includes most stone fruits, such as plums, cherries, peaches, apricots, and nectarines.
Officials estimate the action could save San Luis Valley growers millions of dollars due to the damage caused by the viral diseases.
The CPAC will continue to provide free tree removal and oil sprays for existing trees in the San Luis Valley.