February 28, 2011 An ordinance to make it easier to raise food producing animals (FPAs) in the city of Denver is under consideration. While various city committees review the proposed ordinance (PDF), the director of Denver Urban Homesteaders, James Bertini, is working on a ballot initiative to let the citizens of Denver vote on the right to have FPAs in November.
“Bertini’s ballot initiative would ask voters to approve allowing Denver residents to keep six chickens Ń no roosters Ń without a permit and without adhering to a public process.
The legislative effort actually goes beyond that, allowing residents to keep a maximum of eight chickens or ducks Ń no roosters Ń and a maximum of two dwarf goats, and any number of their offspring younger than six months. No permit would be required and no public notice would be required.
Denver actually allows residents to keep food-producing animals, but there is a permitting process that is both expensive and burdensome, say those in favor of making the process easier.
Critics, however, object to making it a right to allow residents to keep chickens and goats, because it takes away from the permitting process that includes public notice.”
If the city doesn’t make a decision by November, it appears the voters will.
Would you mind if your neighbor had chickens or goats?
KMGH, in Denver, turns their camera on this issue, “More People Becoming Urban Farmers”.
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