Backyard Ranching: Urban Ag in Denver

Backyards aren't just about lawns anymore. Denver residents can legally raise goats, chickens, bees and worms at home, and an increasing number of people are taking advantage of that fact. Writer Mike Taylor takes us on a tour of these backyards and the businesses that support them.

Personal Fowl

Chickens rule the roost in Denver's backyard livestock pecking order. As the birds' popularity has soared, numerous businesses have sprung up to meet the need of the city's poultry farmers.

Getting Your Goat

Urban goats are alternatives to dogs for some and milk-makers for others. Either way, the popularity of backyard goats -- legal in Denver -- is on the rise.


 

Backyard Bees: The Ultimate Social Animal

Denver is abuzz with urban beekeepers who keep hives humming as a hobby. Their primary motive isn't love of honey -- it's love of bees.


 

Putting Worms to Work

Worm wrangling is increasingly popular with urban homesteaders in Denver. Composting with worms, or vermicomposting, advances the 'reduce, reuse, recycle' ethos.

Photos by Kara Pearson Gwinn.