Homesteading in Colorado
Explore 64 counties and state-level regulations for homesteaders in Colorado.
Colorado uses a Prior Appropriation water rights system , allows county-level building code enforcement , and requires a carry permit. The effective property tax rate is 0.49%.
State Regulations
Water Rights
System: Prior Appropriation
Strict prior appropriation doctrine administered by the water court system. All water rights must be adjudicated. Rainwater collection now partially allowed.
Statute: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 37-82-101 et seq.
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: No (county-level)
No mandatory statewide residential building code. Counties and municipalities adopt and enforce codes locally.
Statute: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 30-28-201
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: No
Concealed carry requires a permit from the county sheriff. Open carry is legal in most areas but restricted in Denver. Universal background checks required.
Statute: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-203; Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-112
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects agricultural operations from nuisance claims if the operation has been in existence for at least one year. Extends protection to changes in ownership, technology, and product type.
Statute: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 35-3.5-101 et seq.
Counties in Colorado
64 counties · Click column headers to sort
| County | Population | Median Home | Property Tax | Growing Days | Overall Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | 520,149 | $425,000 | $2,581 | 80 | Relatively Moderate |
| Alamosa County | 16,460 | $198,500 | $944 | 99 | Very Low |
| Arapahoe County | 654,453 | $480,500 | $2,623 | 81 | Relatively Moderate |
| Archuleta County | 13,509 | $432,400 | $1,454 | 101 | Very Low |
| Baca County | 3,496 | $119,700 | $514 | 92 | Very Low |
| Bent County | 5,561 | $110,700 | $520 | 90 | Very Low |
| Boulder County | 328,658 | $671,100 | $3,559 | 87 | Relatively Moderate |
| Broomfield County | 73,946 | $581,600 | $3,602 | 88 | Very Low |
| Chaffee County | 19,564 | $514,900 | $1,580 | 94 | Relatively Low |
| Cheyenne County | 1,726 | $166,300 | $743 | 85 | Very Low |
| Clear Creek County | 9,403 | $506,900 | $1,952 | 89 | Relatively Low |
| Conejos County | 7,553 | $154,500 | $645 | 101 | Very Low |
| Costilla County | 3,534 | $145,200 | $501 | 101 | Very Low |
| Crowley County | 5,782 | $92,700 | $484 | 88 | Very Low |
| Custer County | 4,885 | $327,100 | $1,196 | 97 | Very Low |
| Delta County | 31,173 | $291,400 | $923 | 93 | Relatively Low |
| Denver County | 710,800 | $540,400 | $2,447 | 81 | Relatively High |
| Dolores County | 2,329 | $208,000 | $466 | 98 | Very Low |
| Douglas County | 360,206 | $635,100 | $3,490 | 83 | Relatively Moderate |
| Eagle County | 55,650 | $728,400 | $2,908 | 89 | Relatively Low |
| Elbert County | 26,457 | $623,300 | $2,769 | 83 | Very Low |
| El Paso County | 730,323 | $390,500 | $1,629 | 85 | Relatively Moderate |
| Fremont County | 49,107 | $264,300 | $984 | 95 | Relatively Low |
| Garfield County | 61,683 | $449,300 | $1,961 | 90 | Relatively Low |
| Gilpin County | 5,856 | $465,300 | $1,238 | 88 | Very Low |
| Grand County | 15,724 | $461,200 | $1,623 | 87 | Relatively Low |
| Gunnison County | 17,018 | $530,300 | $1,639 | 94 | Relatively Low |
| Hinsdale County | 911 | $369,200 | $1,268 | 98 | Very Low |
| Huerfano County | 6,896 | $231,200 | $677 | 91 | Very Low |
| Jackson County | 1,440 | $227,300 | $477 | 84 | Very Low |
| Jefferson County | 580,519 | $556,800 | $2,708 | 90 | Relatively High |
| Kiowa County | 1,347 | $127,400 | $821 | 87 | Very Low |
| Kit Carson County | 7,039 | $182,700 | $978 | 83 | Very Low |
| Lake County | 7,403 | $331,000 | $1,550 | 92 | Very Low |
| La Plata County | 55,983 | $497,800 | $1,362 | 101 | Relatively Low |
| Larimer County | 359,363 | $488,300 | $2,527 | 84 | Relatively Moderate |
| Las Animas County | 14,422 | $190,900 | $510 | 92 | Very Low |
| Lincoln County | 5,583 | $238,000 | $768 | 84 | Very Low |
| Logan County | 21,302 | $203,100 | $989 | 77 | Relatively Low |
| Mesa County | 156,131 | $312,600 | $1,262 | 92 | Relatively Low |
| Mineral County | 794 | $379,000 | $1,443 | 99 | Very Low |
| Moffat County | 13,232 | $247,500 | $1,069 | 85 | Very Low |
| Montezuma County | 26,070 | $282,500 | $932 | 100 | Relatively Low |
| Montrose County | 42,823 | $314,100 | $1,189 | 95 | Relatively Low |
| Morgan County | 29,045 | $277,400 | $1,425 | 79 | Relatively Low |
| Otero County | 18,580 | $132,600 | $491 | 90 | Relatively Low |
| Ouray County | 4,936 | $596,400 | $1,586 | 96 | Very Low |
| Park County | 17,597 | $458,600 | $1,558 | 92 | Very Low |
| Phillips County | 4,493 | $258,200 | $1,259 | 77 | Very Low |
| Pitkin County | 17,325 | $912,300 | $4,030 | 91 | Relatively Low |
| Prowers County | 11,968 | $120,200 | $435 | 89 | Relatively Low |
| Pueblo County | 168,135 | $238,400 | $1,284 | 88 | Relatively Moderate |
| Rio Blanco County | 6,511 | $231,800 | $810 | 88 | Very Low |
| Rio Grande County | 11,442 | $202,300 | $830 | 100 | Relatively Low |
| Routt County | 24,944 | $691,800 | $2,292 | 85 | Very Low |
| Saguache County | 6,454 | $166,500 | $733 | 97 | Very Low |
| San Juan County | 690 | $344,600 | $800 | 98 | Very Low |
| San Miguel County | 8,082 | $561,400 | $1,410 | 97 | Very Low |
| Sedgwick County | 2,391 | $136,000 | $591 | 77 | Very Low |
| Summit County | 30,955 | $760,000 | $2,395 | 90 | Relatively Low |
| Teller County | 24,758 | $405,500 | $1,467 | 93 | Very Low |
| Washington County | 4,817 | $208,300 | $924 | 80 | Very Low |
| Weld County | 331,466 | $412,200 | $1,995 | 77 | Relatively Moderate |
| Yuma County | 9,938 | $201,500 | $956 | 80 | Very Low |
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