March 08, 2010 09:14 PM UTC

To Chicken, or Not to Chicken: That's a Question?

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• by: Colorado Pols

What is it with Colorado’s local municipalities and chickens?

The Littleton City Council is considering “rules for urban chicken enthusiasts” after a neighbor’s complaint led to an investigation by the city.

Last month, the Greeley City Council voted nay on a backyard chicken ordinance. The Greeley Tribune reported on the decision in one of the more entertaining news stories we’ve read in a long time:

A relaxed backyard chicken ordinance got a split vote from the Greeley City Council Tuesday night, sending the proposal to the chopping block.

The decision surprised chicken supporters, who greatly outnumbered opponents in council chambers.

Of 19 who people spoke during a public hearing on the issue – which would have allowed up to six backyard hens so long as cleanliness, predator-proofing and distance-from-neighbors conditions were met – 13 favored the change. Additionally, about 15 people stood when Dixie Hart asked to see those who didn’t want to take the podium but supported chickens. [Pols emphasis]

In Longmont, “the great chicken debate” of 2009 led to the formation of something called the Longmont Urban Hen Coalition. In July 2008, The Colorado Springs Gazette was applauding a law allowing residents to own chickens and encouraging the city to overturn a ban on goats, pigs and roosters.

With so much apparent chicken hand-wringing going on, we thought we’d leave it to Colorado Pols readers to set some sort of local policy standard. So vote below.

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