A report produced by Colorado Counties, Inc. provides differing views on the impact on Colorado counties of the 35 acre subdivision exemption (lots of 35 or more acres are not subject to local subdivision regulations).
- Absent other regulatory tools, this exemption can impair both the ability of counties to provide and pay for services and their ability to manage land use within the county.
- According to the American Farmland Trust, farmers and ranchers in Colorado are recognizing land values exceeding agricultural production value by 30 to 100 times when selling to developers or real estate speculators.
- Others see the development of 35-acre lots as an effective way to preserve open space and forests.
- For every tax dollar they bring in, large lot rural developments in Colorado represent $1.65 in infrastructure costs.
- Owners moving onto 35-acre parcels often aggravate counties and farmers and ranchers with nuisance complaints related to the active farming and ranching activities of their neighbors. Sig Jaastad