Save Our Right to Grow Food at 9,200 Feet Elevation
Donation protected
The county told us we could build a greenhouse—exciting news! So, we poured our hearts, sweat, and every last penny into it, dreaming of growing fresh food at 9,200 feet elevation, where we only get about 80 frost-free days a year. But once the greenhouse was up and all our money was sunk into the project, they suddenly said, "Stop! You can't build a greenhouse after all." We asked why and if we could file an appeal. Then the county flipped again and said, "Okay, go ahead and finish it," so we did—pouring in another $15,000 on top of the original $135,000. Just a few days after we completed the electricity, though, the county hit us with another "Stop!" They said they'd changed their minds and demanded we remove the greenhouse from our property right away. We asked to file an appeal, but they flat-out said no.
Use of Donations:
- Every dollar donated will go directly toward our mounting lawyer fees as we litigate against Teller County in district court to save our greenhouse.
- Pushing for Regulatory Updates: Funds will also support advocacy to update Teller County's land use regulations to align with state law under the Farm Stand Act (HB19-1191) and CRS 30-28-205.
- Advocating for Broader Changes: We'll push for clearer exemptions for agricultural structures like greenhouses to prevent similar injustices for other homesteaders. A greenhouse is an integral component to growing food in high elevations.
Your support isn't just helping us; it's paving the way for stronger protections for small-scale farming across Colorado, turning our heartbreak into lasting change.
Organizer
Jenny Loop
Organizer
Divide, CO