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Commission recommends Freedom Valley Ranch rezone and 20‑lot plat; applicants to convey Denver Basin water rights
Summary
Elbert County planners voted 7–0 to recommend rezoning 200 acres to residential agriculture and a concurrent plat to create twenty 10‑acre lots with 40 acres of open‑space easements; applicants said each lot will be conveyed with Denver Basin water rights and referral agencies raised no outstanding objections.
The Elbert County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the Freedom Valley Ranch rezone (RZ‑2025‑0008) and a concurrent preliminary/final plat (FP‑2025‑0005) that would divide 200 acres into twenty 10‑acre lots with roughly 40 acres placed in permanent open‑space easements.
Staff described the project as a low‑density residential agriculture development that retains equestrian/open‑space corridors and preserves 20 percent of the site as permanent open space. "Every home site will convey dedicated Denver Basin water rights," applicant Kathy Goodman said, emphasizing that the conveyed water allocation exceeds the subdivision’s projected demand and satisfies the county’s 300‑year water‑supply requirement.
Why it matters: commenters expressed broader concerns about cumulative growth pressure, compatibility with traditional agricultural land and the long‑term availability of groundwater. Nathan McNally and Anthony Simonetti urged the commission to preserve 40‑acre agricultural lots and warned that repeated 10‑acre divisions could reduce true agricultural production and increase housing pressure.
Staff told the commission that the Division of Water Resources had reviewed and deemed the proposed water supply adequate and that Public Works had no outstanding objections after certain road improvements were completed. The Colorado Geological Survey recommended no‑build areas on steep slopes; staff responded by placing those areas within open‑space easements on the plat.
Commissioners asked for clarification that the project would draw from Denver Basin aquifers only; the applicant confirmed lots will convey Denver Basin water rights and drilling would be limited to Denver Basin wells rather than the Upper/Lower Dawson aquifers. After discussion about open space and lot yield, a commissioner noted concern at the change from 40‑acre expectations to 10‑acre lots but moved to recommend approval in light of the applicant’s revisions and referral clearances. The commission’s roll‑call votes to recommend the rezone and the final plat were unanimous (7–0).
What comes next: The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action; staff will track recordation of required documents and any remaining referral verifications.
