Douglas County to Host Workshop on Agritourism Zoning Updates

Douglas County has scheduled a public workshop for January 8 to preview proposed zoning changes intended to define, allow and streamline agritourism activities across the county. The county posted the announcement December 30 and said the workshop will be held in Conference Rooms A and B at the Philip S. Miller Building, 100 Third St., Castle Rock, beginning at 5:30 p.m., with a staff presentation scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m. and a public question-and-answer period to follow.

The county describes agritourism as activities that let residents learn about farming, local food production, culinary programs, natural resources and local heritage. Officials said the initiative seeks to improve access for both rural landowners who might host events and county residents who would visit farms and agriculture-related sites. Residents may offer feedback in person at the workshop or by emailing [email protected].

Zoning amendments that clarify what activities are permitted on agricultural parcels carry practical consequences for land use, local businesses and community life. For rural landowners and entrepreneurs, clearer rules could reduce permitting uncertainty for farm tours, educational programs, pick-your-own operations and small food or culinary events that bring visitors onto private property. For nearby residents and municipalities, changes can raise questions about traffic, parking, public safety, noise and natural resource impacts that zoning and operating standards typically address.

Institutionally, the workshop is part of the county planning process that leads to formal consideration by the Board of County Commissioners, which the county said will take up the proposed amendments in 2026. How the county frames draft language, schedules public hearings and documents anticipated impacts will shape both the scope of permitted activities and any conditions placed on hosts. Those procedural steps also determine when and how residents can influence final rules that affect property rights and local economic opportunity.

The county’s announcement signals an early-stage effort to balance economic and educational opportunities with land-use management. The forthcoming staff presentation is likely to set out the county’s rationale and proposed definitions, while the Board of County Commissioners will weigh the legal and policy trade-offs when it considers the amendments later in the year. Residents interested in the evolving rules now have two routes to weigh in: attend the January 8 workshop or submit written feedback to the county planning email provided.