Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission recommends banning swine and setting rooster limits in Wheat Ridge
Summary
The commission recommended approval of an ordinance to prohibit swine in Wheat Ridge and to explicitly permit roosters under limits tied to parcel size (one rooster on lots under 1 acre; up to three on 1-acre-or-larger parcels), while staff noted noise mitigation and enforcement would follow nuisance procedures.
On Feb. 20, 2026, the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission voted 5–0 to recommend an ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the municipal code to prohibit swine and to clarify limits on roosters.
Assistant City Manager Mary Anne Schilling told the commission the changes respond to City Council direction and to ambiguity in current code language that permits ‘‘poultry’’ without distinguishing roosters from hens. Schilling said council directed staff to prohibit swine citywide because keeping swine can create odor, sanitation and nuisance issues and staff is not aware of any current swine in the city.
On roosters, the proposed code would explicitly allow up to one rooster per property in residential and agricultural zones under 1 acre in size, and up to three roosters on residential and agricultural properties of 1 acre or larger. Schilling noted the city receives occasional complaints about crowing; enforcement would follow existing nuisance and noise procedures. She described mitigation tools staff uses, including recommending so-called crow collars and asking owners to mitigate repeated disturbances. "They are treated by our community service officers similar to barking dogs," Schilling said, describing an iterative enforcement approach rather than immediate removal.
Commissioners asked whether current multi-rooster properties would be grandfathered; staff said existing roosters would likely be allowed to remain but replacements would not be permitted if the ordinance were adopted. Commissioner Gravy and others emphasized the city’s urban-agriculture roots in framing limits that balance rural practices and suburban character. The commission moved and seconded a recommendation to approve the ordinance; the motion carried 5–0.
If City Council adopts the ordinance, the Planning Department and community service officers will implement the new code with existing nuisance enforcement tools and may seek additional administrative hearing process updates to address noise complaints more quickly.
