Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Huerfano County approves off‑grid wedding venue permit with fire‑safety conditions
Summary
The Huerfano County Board of County Commissioners approved a conditional use permit for an off‑grid wedding venue at 1180 County Road 620.1, requiring building permits and written fire‑department approval for any open‑flame features; the applicant plans a 150‑person capacity and additional water cisterns.
Huerfano County commissioners on July 7 approved a conditional use permit (CUP LUD‑26‑000109) that allows an off‑grid wedding venue at 1180 County Road 620.1, subject to amended language requiring proper permits and fire‑department approval for open‑flame features.
Planning staff introduced the application and said the planning commission recommended approval with conditions including a prohibition on open flames and a requirement that temporary structures be properly permitted. Planning staff noted the parcel was previously subject to building permit BPD‑21‑016 and that the applicant took on permit completion when purchasing the property.
The applicant, Naomi Schware, told commissioners the venue is intended as an ongoing business offering an affordable, do‑it‑yourself wedding option for the local community. She asked that the board allow open‑flame features if the fire marshal or fire department provides written permission, saying state guidance and enclosed propane designs can be made safe: “I’d love the verbiage to be changed to, with written consent from them or him, instead of what it is now,” she said.
Planning staff said outdoor fireplaces and similar permanent features are inspected by the building department and require fire‑department consent. Commissioners and staff discussed drafting flexible permit language that would allow certain propane or contained flame appliances under explicit safety limits and with written approval from the fire authority.
Commissioners also questioned whether the venue would need on‑site water storage for fire mitigation. An attendee and planning staff recalled recent county practice that for some temporary large events applicants were asked to have roughly 4,000 gallons of water on site; the applicant said the property currently has about 2,000 gallons of storage and plans additional cisterns, but that hauling water and existing access informed the applicant’s business plan.
The applicant said the venue’s maximum capacity would be 150 people. After discussion the board directed staff to prepare specific permit language reflecting fire‑department approval and permitting requirements, then voted to approve the CUP with the amended conditions. The chair declared the motion passed by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will draft the explicit permit language (including fire‑department approval process and any condition on water‑storage or other mitigation) and return to the board as part of final permit paperwork.
