§ 5.8.2. Background.

Current state law allows land to be divided into 35-acre or larger parcels without any county land use review. This law has been in effect since 1972. In some cases, 35-acre development works well. In the majority of cases, however, there are more desirable alternatives.

In July 1995, the county commissioners organized a citizen task force (task force) to study the 35-acre development problems and to recommend solutions. Members of the task force were chosen from all sides to work as a group without dissension. The task force consensus statements reflect the diverse interests of its members.

The task force has recommended new policies and procedures to invite landowners wishing to develop their lands to consider alternatives to traditional 35-acre parcels. These policies and procedures are intended to be voluntary, user friendly and flexible, and to permit and encourage development patterns which are tailored to the characteristics of a specific property.

In Larimer County, there are 4,633 parcels of private, taxable land greater than 35 acres, for a total of 522,042 acres. The task force did not recommend changing the zoning for these lands, or taking away the ability to do 35-acre development. Instead, the task force recommended incentives to encourage alternative developments to help retain the rural and agricultural lands of Larimer County.

The task force recognized that land use regulations can be changed, but they are designed to last longer than political tenures. The Larimer County Rural Land Use Process is the result of task force recommendations to the county commissioners.