Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agricultural Leasing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arapahoe County approves formal agricultural grazing leases for select open‑space properties
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners gave initial approval for a formal agricultural leasing program that will solicit grazing proposals in September, evaluate applications with anonymous review and Douglas County support, and offer initial six‑year leases with up to two two‑year renewals beginning January 2027.
Arapahoe County’s open‑space staff won the board’s backing to formalize agricultural leasing for grazing on select county properties, a change intended to broaden access, strengthen stewardship and reduce maintenance and wildfire risks on eastern county lands.
"We are here today to ask for the approval to implement a formal agricultural leasing program," Dan Basin said, framing the request as a way to preserve working lands and respond to repeated constituent interest in grazing on open‑space parcels.
What the county proposed: staff described two program elements (dry land farming and grazing) and focused the presentation on grazing. They said solicitations will open in September, staff will review applications in October and leases would begin in January 2027. The initial lease term would be six years with the option to renew twice for two years each, creating a potential 10‑year cycle.
Properties and management: staff identified parcels likely to be included — the upper portion of Richmount Ranch (Deer Trail), Bijou Basin Open Space, Kiowa Creek Annex (south of I‑70) and parts of Kyle Creek Open Space — and said leases would be awarded based on land‑management plans. The county will remove personal identification information from applications and asked Douglas County to help review the first round to avoid bias.
Conservation and public‑safety goals: Open‑space staff emphasized ecological benefits from managed grazing (soil health, nutrient cycling, reduced fuel loads to help limit wildfire spread) and maintenance advantages (fencing upkeep, stock tanks, weed control). They said the county will work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to set stocking rates and monitoring plans.
Equity and competition: commissioners pressed staff on fairness and the risk that a single well‑resourced rancher could win multiple leases. Staff said they plan to set minimum qualifications and use a matrix to score management plans; commissioners favored a guiding principle of preferring four unique lessees for four properties to broaden opportunity while still awarding the strongest eligible plans.
Liability and enforcement: county legal staff said leases and contracts include indemnification and enforcement language; the county can reduce stocking rates or exit leases if management plans are not followed.
Board action: commissioners indicated support during discussion and recorded multiple thumbs‑up; staff said the program documents have been uploaded to the county Legistar for review. The open‑space department will proceed with the solicitation and return with lease execution materials before January 2027.
