The Goats Won! Part 2

Back in 2011, I put “change city goat policy” on my Dream List. 

At the time, our goats were legal because we have more that 3/4 acres of land, but I wanted anyone in the city to be able to have small goats.  During that year, however, I realized legalizing goats in the city was actually not my fight.  I already had goats.  They were already legal.  I believed small goats should be legal within the city and supported people who already had them (albeit illegally), but did not have the passion that comes from being the one who can’t have them but really wants them.  The fight needed to come from a city person who had that passion.  I would support however I could.

I met Monycka a couple of years ago when she called asking if I would join her for a meeting at City Hall to further the discussion with two city employees regarding legalizing goats in Colorado Springs.  When I met her then, it was obvious she was the won’t-take-no-s*%t-from-nobody kind of woman who could get the job done and was passionate that her two less than fifty pound goats be able to live legally in her back yard.

She won.  Her goats won.  All of you who wrote letters and emails to city council in support of goats won.  All of you who bombarded city council with phone calls won.  Your yesterday illegal, today legal city goats won.  Being able to produce your own milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, soap, lotion, kefir, buttermilk won.  We won!

Monycka Snowbird and Councilwoman Jill Gaebler are the true heroines of this story…Monycka started the initiative as I know it and Jill gave it life on City Council.

Thanks to all of the city council members who voted YES on the ordinance.  Thanks for allowing our city to move forward, along with other cities nationwide who have also embraced giving their citizens the right to legally become more self sustainable.

As City Council decided last night, here are the specifics of the ordinance in layperson’s terms:  It is now legal for a person to own up to 4 pets.  Only two of those pets can be goats (does or wethers).

Now, go forth and milk!  Go forth and chomp weeds in the back yard!  Go forth and poop in the garden!

NO.  I am not talking to YOU!  I am talking to the 2 new goats you are going to buy.  The waiting is over!  There will be no more votes!  It’s final!!!  We Won!!!

Good Work Team!

–  The Goat Cheese Lady

P.S.  I witnessed in person the unanimous approval last night of the amended goat ordinance.  However, now, after having written the above, I glanced over at No Goats No Glory and learned there must be a second vote on May 27 to finalize the 1st vote.  Not sure I understand.  Actually, I’m sure I don’t understand.  Hmmm.  Will learn more and let you know.