Chickens Illegal (Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora: coops, how much, homes)

[lalahartma]

Hey, I was rather surprised that chickens are not legal in Denver. What the heck? Any underground chicken keepers in town? Would a neighbor with a handful of chickens (no roosters) bother you? What's the word, Denver?

denver urban homesteading -- HOME

[blobbin]

Well, the thing is, they are legal in Denver. There is a permitting process which is according to my neighbor who has a few and provides the block with free eggs, a bit of a pain, but it is legal.

[lalahartma]

Oh, after a little research I see this:

Denver, CO. Chicken permit must be purchased from the city for $50 & you must show that the enclosure will be clean & pest free. $50 is the application fee. There is an additional $100 license fee, followed by an annual fee of $70 to own chickens. You also have to put two signs in your front yard for one month allowing neighbors to object.

Wow! They might as well make it illegal! That is far too much $, in my opinion.

[Giesela]

At least you have an option. I'm surprised you were surprised they were illegal. Most cities they have always been and are still illegal. Slowly changing. Very slowly. Glacial really.

That is awful pricey though.

[Brian_M]

And what are the fines for not going through proper channels?


My experiences within my neighborhood is that Someone will turn you in within a month.

[suzco]

In today's (12/13/2010) Denver Post:

Chicken coops on table at Denver city meeting

Denver managers consider a plan to allow residents to keep chickens in their backyards without permits.

[lalahartma]

Yes! Folks are looking to change the law to a max of 6 chickens, no roosters, no permit.
I was surprised because Colorado Springs allows 10 chickens, no roosters, no permit.

And because chickens, in reasonable numbers, seem to me so harmless and
certainly quieter than dogs!

Also, due to our agricultural history, 4H, etc, it seems a shame to price people out of raising their own food.

freethechickens.com


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRsrG4s5IHA

[denverian]

I know of one home in my neighborhood with chickens, and it doesn't bother me. But I was reading some of the comments under a Denver Post (online) article and some of the anti-chicken people brought up concerns I hadn't thought about. Like how they may attract more coyotes/foxes into a neighborhood, disposing of their waste, and someone claimed they attract bedbugs and some other insects. I have no clue how much truth there is to those claims though.

[lalahartma]

They eat insects. I'm not sure how they would attract predators if they weren't already in the neighborhood. Obviously, you need a predator-proof coop. As far as waste, composting is good or you could dispose of it with your garage. We have foxes in my neighborhood, other neighborhoods have coyotes and raccoons and hawks. Seems like small objections.

[ColoWeb]

Illegal in Aurora.