Fruita Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) FAQ

What is a UGB?

A UGB (Urban Growth Boundary) is a line that shows where a city, like Fruita, plans for future development. Land inside the UGB is targeted for rezoning and urban growth, even if it’s currently farmland.

Why Does the UGB Matter?

• Loss of Control: Being in the UGB limits your authority over your property. Decisions about land use may no longer be fully in your hands.

• Development Pressure: Inclusion in the UGB increases the risk of your land being rezoned or developed sooner than you might want.

• Farming at Risk: It creates uncertainty that disrupts long-standing agricultural operations.

• Irrigation Systems: Development threatens the integrity and reliability of existing irrigation systems, which are vital for farming.

• Reduced Property Value: While it may seem otherwise, land outside the UGB retains more flexibility and long-term value because you control how and when changes happen.

What’s the Issue with Fruita’s UGB?

There is no Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Fruita and Mesa County. This means:

• Unclear Rules: Confusion over which government body has authority.

• No Transparency: Landowners are left out of critical decisions about their property.

• Loss of Rights: Your ability to determine how your land is used can be overridden.

Why Removing Land from the UGB Helps All Landowners (Including the Next Generation)

• Restores Your Rights: You regain full authority to decide if, when, and how to develop or change your property.

• Protects the Land’s Legacy: By staying out of the UGB, the land can remain productive farmland for as long as you choose.

• Increases Long-Term Value: Land outside the UGB avoids premature development pressures, which preserves its value for future decisions, whether for farming or other uses.

• Supports the Family’s Future: Whether or not the next generation wants to farm, keeping the property out of the UGB gives them the freedom to make choices without being forced into rapid urbanization.

What Are Farmers Asking For?

1. Remove Our Land from the UGB: Protect private property rights and ensure landowners have control over their land’s future.

2. Uphold the Right to Farm: Allow agricultural families to continue their way of life without outside pressure.

3. Protect Land Value: Ensure the property is preserved in a way that maximizes its value for current and future generations.

What Can You Do?

• Stay Informed: Understand what the UGB means for your land and your family’s future.

• Join the Petition: Support the removal of farmland from the UGB to restore property rights and value.

• Think Long-Term: Recognize that keeping control of your land today preserves its potential for generations to come.

Together, we can protect our land, our legacy, and our future!