Coop Ready Colorado
Colorado backyard chicken laws
Usually yes, but it depends on the city or county. Of the 8 places in Colorado we have checked, 7 allow backyard hens on a typical home lot, 1 allow them only on bigger lots or in some zones.
In Colorado, chicken rules are set by each city, and by the county for land outside city limits. Find your place below for its hen limit, rooster rule, permit and coop distance, each linked to the code we read.
Places checked
8
Hens on a typical lot
7 of 8
Ban roosters
8 of 8
Need a permit or approval
6 of 8
State law in Colorado: We found no Colorado state law that limits what cities and counties can decide about backyard hens, so each city, town and county sets its own rules.
Chicken laws by city in Colorado
| Place | Verdict | Hen limit | Roosters | Permit | Coop placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, CO | Allowed with a permit | 6 hens (8 on lots of 20,000 sq ft or more) | Banned | Yes: a city permit with a one-time fee | Coop and run at least 15 ft from any property line unless neighbors consent in writing |
| Colorado Springs, CO | Hens allowed | 10 fowl (4 months or older) | Banned | No | Set by zoning rules |
| Denver, CO | Allowed with a permit | 8 | Banned | $25 one time | Coop at least 15 ft from a home on an abutting lot, in the rear half of the lot |
| Fort Collins, CO | Allowed with a permit | 8 under 1/2 acre; 12 up to 1 acre; +6 per extra 1/2 acre | Banned | Yes: Humane Society permit with site inspection; $30 one-time coop license | Coop and run 15 ft from abutting property lines unless neighbors consent in writing |
| Lakewood, CO | Depends on your zoning | 6 in R-1-6 and R-2; set by coop size in R-1-9 and larger | Banned in R-1-6 and R-2; not stated for larger-lot zones | Yes in R-1-6 and R-2; none stated in R-1-9 and larger | R-1-9 and larger: coop 15 ft from side and rear lines. R-1-6 and R-2: accessory setbacks (5 ft) |
| Longmont, CO | Allowed with a permit | 4 | Banned outside agricultural zones | Yes: a $30 one-time permit | Coop at least 6 ft from side and rear property lines and from any other structure |
| Thornton, CO | Hens allowed | 6 | Banned | No | Coop at least 5 ft from side and rear property lines |
| Westminster, CO | Allowed with a permit | 6 on a quarter acre or less, up to 30 on 2+ acres | Banned | Yes: a $25 one-time permit | Coop at least 10 ft from side and rear property lines |
Will your coop fit?
Draw your lot, your house and your neighbor's house on a satellite map, drop in a coop, and Coop Ready checks the distances against your Colorado city's rules. Then share the plan or print a free permit site plan.
Colorado backyard chicken questions
Can you have backyard chickens in Colorado?
Usually yes, but it depends on the city or county. Of the 8 places in Colorado we have checked, 7 allow backyard hens on a typical home lot, 1 allow them only on bigger lots or in some zones. Check your exact city or county, because the rules differ a lot from place to place.
Who sets chicken rules in Colorado?
Each Colorado city sets its own chicken rules. In unincorporated areas, the county's land use code decides.
Is there a Colorado state law on backyard chickens?
We found no Colorado state law that limits what cities and counties can decide about backyard hens, so each city, town and county sets its own rules.
Are roosters allowed in Colorado?
8 of the 8 places we checked in Colorado ban roosters on typical home lots. Check your city's page for its exact rule.
Can an HOA in Colorado ban chickens?
No Colorado statute overrides HOA rules on chickens. State HOA law limits bans on things like xeriscape and rain barrels, but it does not mention chickens or other animals.
Keeping a healthy Colorado flock
Report sick domestic birds or unexplained bird deaths to the Colorado State Veterinarian's Office (Colorado Department of Agriculture) at 303-869-9130, or the CSU Avian Health Hotline at 970-297-4008. Visit the official page ↗
More from Coop Ready
- Rooster laws by city
- Cities that ban chickens
- HOA chicken rules
- Coop setback rules
- Permit site plan checklist
- Arizona chicken laws
- California chicken laws
- Florida chicken laws
- Georgia chicken laws
- Oregon chicken laws
- Texas chicken laws
- Washington chicken laws
See every city on Coop Ready →
Coop Ready is a free planning aid from Cooped Up Life, not legal advice. Codes change, and zoning, HOA rules and your exact parcel can change what is allowed. Confirm with your city or county before you build.
