Commission adopts agricultural-protection-area text amendment to clarify process and eligibility

Planner Valerie Claussen (speaker 27) presented a code text amendment to establish a clearer process for creating, modifying and removing agricultural-protection areas. She said the amendment adds eligibility criteria, notification requirements and an advisory-board structure consistent with state code.

Commissioners and members of the public debated whether advisory-board appointees should come only from conservation-district supervisors or include at-large members. Staff proposed amending the text to permit appointment by resolution and to allow either conservation-district supervisors or other at-large designees, which satisfied several speakers who wanted broader representation. After public comment from ranchers and agricultural stakeholders emphasizing protection from eminent domain and nuisance complaints, the commission voted unanimously to adopt ordinance CO26-12 with the clarified appointment language.

The measure sets a 5-acre minimum for designation and a 20-year review period as required by state law, while preserving removal processes for landowners. Staff said they will publish application materials and a 45-day review timeline for applicants.