Do you want to have your own small, backyard goats or do you want others to be able to? Today at 1:00 is your last chance to voice support for the Colorado Springs small goat ordinance. There is a small group of people opposing the ordinance, so we need as many voices as possible today to support it! GO TO THE COLORADO SPRINGS CITY HALL TODAY (April 22) AT 1:00 TO SUPPORT THE ORDINANCE!
Or...write to your council person. Here is my letter...and what I will be reading today at the meeting:
"My name is Lindsey, I am a Colorado Springs native and live on the west side of town. I am also known as The Goat Cheese Lady because I teach classes on how to make a variety of types of goat cheese. My husband, our 2 young boys and I own milk goats. Our lot size (1.6 acres) allows us to own goats within the city limits, however I have taught over 900 people to make cheese and milk goats in the past 4 years, many of whom are from Colorado Springs and have expressed the desire to own goats as well, if the city ordinances allowed for it.
I STRONGLY support a change of city policy to allow small goats within the city limits, regardless of lot size. There are a number of reasons that I feel this would be beneficial:
1. Small goats (I am speaking of Kinder goats, Nigerian Dwarf goats and Pygmy goats, among others of the small breeds) are no larger than medium sized dogs, and no louder than dogs.
2. They would provide milk for their owners, and the further potential for the owner to make yogurt, cheese, ice cream, etc, for their family's use.
3. They help build community. They are fun, mischievous, different (how many city dwellers have been around goats?) and are a cause for neighbors to leave their homes and yards to speak with and get to know each other. Specifically, We have met and taught over 900 people interested in goats and cheese making.
4. Small goats provide natural weed control and, in necessary cases, fire mitigation. Specifically, ours eat the brush around our property to help with fire mitigation.
5. Their feces has a very minimal odor as compared to dogs.
6. They will attract no more wild life than domesticated dogs or cats if cared for appropriately. (Closed into safe housing at night.) Specifically, we have noticed no increase in wildlife since we began owning goats 4 years ago.
7. They provide natural, organic fertilizer for their owner's yard.
8. In the current rise of interest in self sustainability, goats are a necessary addition as pets because they allow their owner to be more self sustainable.
9. They will stimulate small businesses and the local animal centered economy because they require that you purchase food, medications, supplies, etc. Specifically, we pay a local vet to care for our goats, we buy alfalfa from local farmers, we pay a caretaker to care for them when we are gone, we buy grain and cheese making supplies from local businesses.
10. Their milk will improve the health of those who drink it. Specifically, the 14 month old granddaughter of a friend of ours is allergic to cow milk and cow products. She now drinks our goat milk. She was able to sleep soundly through the night which she had been unable to do due to congestion. The infant son of a student of mine was allergic to everything he drank...unable even to drink his mother's milk. His doctors said he would not survive. His mother had to resuscitate him at home multiple times, until the final time, when she made the decision to put him onto raw goat milk. His allergies subsided and he survived.
In my opinion, small goats should be allowed within the city limits regardless of lot size. Certainly, apartment dwellers and people who live in areas with HOA's will be under different restrictions.
I am happy to act as a consultant or simply a community member for you to call to ask more questions so that you can make a sound decision.
It is my understanding that you are assessing the level of interest that the community has in adding goats to "pet" status. Because I've met a large number of people in the Colorado Springs area that have expressed interest in owning goats, I believe there is at least as much interest in people being able to own goats as there was for people owning pot-bellied pigs. In other words, there are not a huge number of people, however, the people who are interested would be grateful for the opportunity to bring more self sustainability into their lives.
Although I will not benefit from this new ordinance because my property meets the minimum land requirement to own hoofed animals, I strongly support the people who have smaller lots but want to own and raise their own goats."
