Can You Legally Have Egg Laying Hens in Denver?

I don’t need to say this, because you already know, but eggs are really expensive right now as Colorado is in the process of rolling out a new law requiring all eggs sold in the state be cage free. So, what if you got some chickens to lay eggs for you?

Each county in Colorado is different, but Chapter 8 of the Revised Municipal Code of the City and County of Denver lets residents apply for a permit that would allow them to conduct animal husbandry practices on their own property.

Permit-holding Denver residents can own 8 female chickens. They must be at least 16 square feet of permeable land area available for each fowl, and there must be an adequate enclosed shelter for each chicken to avoid the elements in.

If you have a permit, you are not allowed to keep any of these animals for the purpose of sale and you must have fencing that ensures these animals cannot escape from your property.

So in short, yes, you can own laying hens in Denver… Might be time to invest!