Local
Local Guidelines when Buying / Selling a Colorado horse property
On average, a 4 acre to 5 acre plot will be required for 2 horses. 35 acres is much more desirable.
With Colorado climate and soil conditions some areas such as Arapahoe, Jefferson, Elbert and Douglas Counties also impose rules and regulations on the number of horses allowed.
You will need to consider factors like availability of water, the type and drainage of soil and also fencing.
Ed's experience will help you understand and avoid many of these problem areas.
Colorado Well Information
Types of Wells:
The two most common types of wells for homewoners are Household-Use Only Wells and Domestic and Livestock Wells.
Household-Use Only Wells: Most private wells drilled on or after May 8, 1972 on properties less than 35 acres are permitted for exempt household-use only. Water can be used only inside the home. Water cannot be used to irrigate lawns, gardens, windbreaks, livestock or any other outside use.
Domestic and Livestock Wells: If you own property that is 35 acres or larger, you can usually get a domestic and livestock well. Only one of these wells is allowed per parcel. The well may serve up to three single-family dwellings, irrigate one acre or less of lawn and garden, and provide water for domestic animals and livestock.
The Division of Water Resources issued me a "household-use only" permit, but the neighbors have permits that allow livestock water. Why can't I get a domestic and livestock well permit?
The most likely reason is that the neighbor's well was installed prior to May 8, 1972 and the livestock use was already in existence.
Are these rules the same everywhere?
These are general rules that are in place and apply to much of Colorado, but there are many exceptions. Exceptions include designated ground water basins in eastern Colorado and the Denver Basin along the Front Range. The Colorado Ground Water Commission administers water use in the designated basins.
How can I get a copy of my well permit?
To get a copy of a well permit, contact the records section of the Colorado Division of Water Resources at 303-866-3447 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For best service, have the well permit number, location of well (legal description), original owner who constructed the well, other prior owners, or the subdivision lot and block ready for the staff member so they can easily locate your well in the database.
How do I select a drilling contractor?
Ask your neighbors, your Realtor, and your homebuilder for recommendation. Be sure the contractor is licensed in Colorado and find out if recent customers are satisfied with the service provided. If you ar still uncertain on how to proceed, you can check with the nearest Colorado Division of Water Resources branch office, or staff for the Colorado Board of Examiners, at 303-866-3581.
Questions to ask when buying rural property:
When was the well drilled?
Is the well registered with the Colorado Division of Water Resources?
If drilled on or after May 8, 1972, was the well properly permitted?
May I see the well permit, well completion report, and pump installation report?
Is the permit for "household-use only" or for "domestic and livestock use"?
Who installed the well?
How deep is the well?
Do you have a copy of the water quality tests performed on the well water?
How many gallons per minute(gom) does the well produce?
Is the well at least 100 feet from a septic system leach field?
Source: Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating. Cooperative Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.
For the complete Guide to Well Permits, Water Rights and Water Administration, (from the State of Colorado) click here.
Basic Grazing Capacity:
Counties in Colorado generally allow 1 horse per 1/2 acre. However, Homeowner's Association Covenants can further limit those guidellines. Check with your Homowner's Association for specific guidelines, or call the Vanderpools for more information (303-902-6600).
The fragile land combined with the semiarid climate may lead to a loss of grasses, water contamination and erosion problems when maintaining horses and other livestock on smaller parcels of land. The potential for damage calls for an involved stewardship of the land. The land owner must be sensitive to the number and type of livestock kept on their land, the amount of land that is devegetated, and the proper management of manure.
The following chart is intended as a very simplistic representation of the amount of time livestock can be pastured without damaging the vegetation on the land. Unique characteristics of the land may further limit the grazing capacity. The cart is based on a grazing standard of 30 acres of pasture per head of livestock.
# of Horses: 30 Acres 10 Acres 5 Acres 2.5 Acres
1 24 hrs/day 8 hrs/day 4 hrs/day 2 hrs/day
2 12 hrs/day 4 hrs/day 2 hrs/day 1 hr/day
3 8 hrs/day 2.6 hrs/day 1.3 hrs/day 40min/day
4 6 hrs/day 2 hrs/day 1 hr/day 30min/day
5 4.8 hrs/day 1.6 hrs/day 50min/day 24 min/day
6 4 hrs/day 1.3 hrs/day 36 min/day N/A
8 3 hrs/day 1 hr/day 30 min/day N/A
10 2.4 hrs/day 50min/day 24 min/day N/A
Source: Douglas, Araphoe & Elbert Counties
Buying
a Horse Property
