Planning
and Zoning
LOGAN COUNTY RIGHT TO FARM AND RANCH POLICY
Logan County is one of the most productive agricultural counties in
Colorado. Ranching, farming, animal feeding and a variety of
agricultural activities are necessary to the county’s vitality, economy,
culture, landscape and lifestyle. Logan County recognizes agricultural
operations as valuable, worthy of protection, and supports the right to
farm and ranch in a manner consistent with generally accepted
agricultural management practices.
Residents of property on or near agricultural land should be prepared to
accept as normal the inconveniences of agricultural operations. These
may include but are not limited to noise from tractors, equipment and
aerial spraying sometimes at night or in the early morning; dust from
animal pens, field work, harvesting, and gravel roads; odors from animal
confinement operations, silage and manure; smoke from ditch burning;
flies and mosquitoes; the use of fertilizers and pesticides, including
aerial spraying; and movement of livestock and machinery on public
roads. All normal and non-negligent agricultural operations may not be
considered nuisances.
Public services in rural areas are not at the same level as urban or
suburban settings. Road maintenance may be at a lower level. Mail
delivery may not be as frequent because of distances. Utility services
may be nonexistent or subject to longer periods of interruption. Law
enforcement, fire protection and ambulance service will have
considerably longer response times. Snow may not be removed from some
county roads for several days after a major storm. The first priority
for snow removal is that school bus routes are normally cleared first.
Children are exposed to different hazards in a rural setting than in
urban areas. Farm and oil field equipment, ponds and irrigation
ditches, electrical service to pumps and oil field operations, high
speed traffic, livestock and territorial farm dogs may present real
threats to children. Children’s activities should be properly
supervised for protection of children and livelihoods of farmers and
ranchers. PARENTS OR OTHER GUARDIANS MUST BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR
CHILDREN.
All rural residents and property owners are encouraged to learn about
their rights and responsibilities. These include obligations under
State law regarding maintenance of fences and irrigation ditches,
controlling weeds, keeping livestock and pets under control, using
property in accordance with zoning, and other aspects of using and
maintaining property. Under Colorado law and Logan Regulations, there
may be provisions of which you are unaware. For example, because
Colorado is a Fence Law State, owners of property may be required to
fence livestock out in order to recover damages from trespassing
livestock.
The goal is to act as good neighbors and citizens. Information about
the topics described in this policy may be obtained from the Logan
County Cooperative Extension Office, the Planning and Zoning Department
and the Board of County Commissioners.
