Agricultural Leases
 When agricultural properties are purchased by the Parks and Open Space
department, the purchase agreement usually states that the current owner or a
lessee must enter into a leaseback arrangement to stay with the property
for a set period of time.
Even though the Agricultural Management Division has the flexibility to
create the best lease scenario for the lessee and the County, they do
follow a set procedure for entering into
lease
agreements with interested operators.
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The type, size and approximate location of the
available property is advertised in local newspapers; interested
parties must contact the Agricultural Management Division by the
specified date.
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A mailing list is compiled for each property which
includes those on an 'interested party list'.
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A letter is sent to each interested party giving
the pre-bid meeting date.
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A mandatory pre-bid meeting is held to answer
questions.
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Interested bidders must return bid packets by the
specified date.
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Management staff screens bids and awards the lease.
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The term of the lease, usually 3 years.
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Renewal information: although the official lease
runs to the end of the calendar year, a clause is included to allow a
successor to begin preparations for the following year's crops as soon
as the previous year's crops are harvested.
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Number of shares of water available for use only on
the property, extra water is at the lessee's expense.
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A plan of production formulated in cooperation with
the Agricultural Management staff, the Natural Resources Conservation
Service and the lessee outlining acreage planted, expected yields, and
required herbicides and pesticides.
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Insurance required: $600,000 general liability
insurance, $600,000 auto liability insurance and worker's
compensation, if applicable.
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Rent payments in the form of crop share, cash per
acre and/or animal unit per month.
For questions concerning leasing, contact the Boulder County Parks and
Open Space Agriculture Resource Manager at 303-678-6234 or lstromquist@co.boulder.co.us.
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