Planning Commission Public Hearing scheduled for June 21

Boulder County, Colo. - The staff report for Land Use Code update DC-23-0002: Composting Incidental to Farming Operations is now available for review and can be found at boco.org/DC-23-0002.

This update is intended to further the county’s goals related to sustainability & climate goals, regenerative farming initiatives, and the development of a local circular economy. The proposed text in the staff report removes the provisions related to backyard composting and composting incidental to farming operations from Article 4-506.A Composting Facility, to clarify that composting of these smaller scales is not an Industrial Use and provides the opportunity for agricultural producers to source their composting materials from off-site and to retail the finished compost product.

Since the public comment period, there have been changes to the draft text, including setback requirements from wells and other water features, in order to protect water quality. These provisions were introduced following the referral and public comment period, in which Boulder County Public Works Stormwater Quality Division and Boulder County Public Health expressed concern about the potential for compost to contribute to nutrient-overload in Boulder County’s ground-water, as well as water ways. These referrals may be found in the staff packet in Appendix D; reference materials are also available in the referral provided by Public Works.

If you would like to provide comment on the draft text, a Planning Commission hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 21 at 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in a hybrid-format, which allows the public to participate either in person or virtually. View information on how to attend or participate.

Thanks to all who have participated in the drafting of these text amendments. Public comments will still be collected for the publication of the staff packet for the Board of County Commissioners hearing, which we are anticipating will be held in the fall. Public comment or testimony will also be available at the hearing.

Email comments or questions to LongRange@BoulderCounty.org or call 303-441-1356.