The Vision

Anchoring a Legacy

Horses belong in Colorado, they helped us settle here.  With our deep roots in ranching, mining, and exploration, horses have been our partners from the beginning.  Today, their role has changed but their contribution to the lives of people remains.  Horses are a unique blend of livestock, working partner, companion, recreation, competitive sport, social engagement, and therapy.  They support a vast industry of professionals who live and work among us, generating significant drivers to our local economy.  Colorado boasts one of the top equine veterinary schools and equine science programs in the nation at CSU, preparing generations of equine professionals for new careers serving the sector.   One of Denver's crown jewels is the National Western Stock Show Complex, undergoing a complete and massive renovation to continue serving the agricultural and ranching industry into the future, a demonstration of Colorado's commitment to its heritage.  The horse is a vibrant living connection to our past and our future.

The Social and Economic Contributions of the Equine Community

Let's take a look at the current facts and data that show how the horse community impacts our economy and social structure.

• Every horse generally employs at least three professionals:  veterinarian, farrier, feed grower/distributor, trainers, tack and equipment outfitters, farm workers and managers, equipment sales and services related to horse facilities, and more

• Horses generate over 1.6 billion dollars into the state economy annually.  

• over 100 million into Jefferson County's economy annually

• There are an estimated 20,000 horses living in Jefferson County alone.  

• There is a thriving and diverse competitive sport scene in Colorado:  dressage, hunter jumpers, ranch versatility, gymkhana, rodeo, equitation, competitive trail, driving, halter and showmanship, and more.  Each of these disciplines has organizations that represent their members, collect dues to fund the organization of competitions and events, compile show statistics and awards.  These organizations represent many thousands of members across our state.

• High schools are now recognizing equestrian sport in their athletic programs and some have equestrian teams, making students eligible for equine related college scholarships.  There is a growing equine collegiant program nationwide, including teams in Colorado.

• Youth groups like 4H, Westernaires and Pony Club have been serving generations of youth for decades, teaching life skills with horsemanship and enhancing education with horse science programs.

• Non-competitive horse organizations serve a diverse and active adult population with social engagement and activities around horses; trail riding clubs, breed organizations, and horse rescue centers that often provide a gateway into the horse experience for people who don't own their own horse.

• Equine therapy is proven to be a highly effective mental health treatment for a wide variety of people; at risk youth, PTSD, depression, suicide, veterans, and more.  It is a growing industry and much needed, especially near urban centers.

• It is a misconception that horses are a luxury only for the wealthy.  The median household income of the average horse owner is 100K/year.  Half of horse owners' income falls below that, and in Colorado that level of income doesn't allow for much disposable income after the cost of essential living expenses.  

• The equine industry creates jobs for all levels of skill and income.  Entry level farm work to highly educated veterinarians, business-savvy barn managers and accountants, talented trainers and teachers, skilled tradesmen to build and repair infrastructure... there are many opportunities for work in the horse industry.  

• Supports entrepreneurship; most equestrian centers are owned and operated by a family or an individual.  Nearly all of the services they support are provided by entrepreneurs.  

• Horses bring people together, of all ages, all income levels, all world views and fosters community.  This kind of fertile ground for nurturing positive human interaction and connection to nature is a precious resource to be preserved and protected.

The Challenge

As the metro area expands and develops, the equestrian scene is shrinking.  Let's take a look at the issues confronting the small business model of the family owned and run local equestrian center:

• Demand for housing and development make agricultural land more valuable, driving up the cost of land and pushing it out of reach for most equine investors.  Free market dynamics will favor the deeper pockets of developers nearly every time.  

• Taxation policy has not been favorable to equestrian facilities in the last decade.  The definition of livestock was changed to exclude horses and recategorize them as companions which triggered the reclassification of taxes on boarding facilities from agricultural to commercial on the business.  This was a 4-fold increase in the cost of taxation, on top of rising property taxes due to increased property values. 

The Solution

So, if we value the economic and social contributions of the equine industry in our community, how do we save it?

We invest in equestrian property in the same way we invest in open space, trails, ball fields, tennis courts, community centers, swimming pools, and golf courses for the benefit of the public.  We expand our definition of public open space and recreation to include equestrian venues and facilities in the suburban area.  We offer to buy these facilities from existing owners at fair market value, and lease the facilities back to them or other operators, much the same way that public lands are leased back to ski areas to operate, or to ranchers to run cattle on public lands.  

An Opportunity for Innovation

• We can look for precedent elsewhere and we can set our own precedent.  There are many examples of equestrian facilities around the country that have been donated or acquired by public entities.  The Los Angeles Equestrian Center is one example of many.  But what we envision in Colorado is a strategic plan to interconnect a series of critical venues and space to create an Equestrian Legacy Corridor.  

• Take a look at the map below showing the existing equestrian boarding facilities and trails actively in use today.  

  • The Van Bibber trail and environment emerges as a prime location for establishing the first ELC.  Along this trail are 3 boarding and training facilities, the Horse Protection League, and access to trail systems currently used by equestrians.  

  • To the north are farms in the Ralston Valley, in the vicinity of trail systems and the city of Arvada's Indiana Equestrian Center, and many horse-centric neighborhoods with backyard barn setups.  

  • To the west is mostly Jefferson County Open Space land, another possibility for realigning to equestrian use.