Douglas County, CO Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)

Part 3 of the Zoning Resolution establishes the A-1 Agricultural One District specifically to provide areas for a wide range of farming, ranching, or tree farming activities and to preserve that land for its open rural character, creating a physical and visual separation between urban centers. Section 1-301(2) goes further than most zoning intent language, declaring that agricultural land use is an efficient means of conserving natural resources and an important physical, environmental, social, aesthetic, and economic asset to both urban and rural residents, and that expansion of urban development into rural areas is a matter of public concern because of higher service costs, conflicts between agricultural and urban activities, and loss of open space.

Section 1-301(3) describes the district as characterized by large-acreage farms, ranches, open areas, farm houses, and housing for agricultural workers and their families. The operative protection sits in § 1-302: on any parcel of 35 acres or greater, agriculture and agricultural recreational activities are allowed by right, meaning no discretionary permit or public hearing is required to farm the land. Smaller parcels down-shift to the uses allowed in whichever residential zone district matches their size, so the 35-acre threshold is the dividing line between by-right farming and a more restricted residential use table. The district also allows up to 14 lessons per week of training for non-owned horses or unrelated riders without a special-review permit.