The policy of the city is to avoid adverse impacts on prairie dogs. If adverse impacts on prairie dogs cannot be avoided, prairie dogs may be relocated, removed, or exterminated in accordance with this chapter. (Ord. 1759 §1, 2004)

Any relocation, removal, or extermination of prairie dogs from private land requires a permit issued by the city. For relocation or removal to a wildlife recovery program, a permit issued by the Colorado Department of Wildlife is also required. The permit application and requirements therefor shall be in accordance with resolution adopted by the city council. (Ord. 1759 §1, 2004)

(A) The applicant for a permit shall pay all costs associated with the relocation, removal, or extermination of prairie dogs.

(B) The applicant for a permit for private nonresidential property or private residential lots larger than five acres shall pay a prairie dog management endowment fee of $100.00 for each prairie dog exterminated and a fee of $50.00 for each prairie dog either relocated to city-owned open space or removed to a wildlife recovery program. The fee does not apply to private landowners that relocate their prairie dogs on their own property or to other private property. The fee does not apply to prairie dog projects that meet the requirements of the pro forma permit set forth in The City and County of Broomfield Policies for Prairie Dog Conservation and Management. (Ord. 1759 §1, 2004)

Prior to the relocation, removal, or extermination or any designation of a prairie dog release site, excluding those prairie dog projects that are addressed under the pro forma permit process outlined in The City and County of Broomfield Policies for Prairie Dog Conservation and Management, the city shall provide notice of such action as follows:

(A) In the case of relocation, removal, extermination, or designation of a release site, the city shall publish notice five days in advance of such action in a newspaper of general circulation.

(B) In the case of removal or lethal control, written notice by first-class mail or other actual notice shall be given to record landowners adjacent to the property containing the existing prairie dog site at least ten days prior to the proposed action.

(C) In the case of relocation, written notice shall be given to record landowners within 500 feet of the property containing the release site within ten days prior to the relocation. Written notice, by mail or other actual notice, shall also be given to record landowners adjacent to the property containing the existing prairie dog site proposed for relocation at least ten days prior to the proposed action.

(D) In the case of release site designation, actual notice shall be given to record landowners within 500 feet of the proposed property containing the release site at least ten days prior to any proposed action.

(E) Notice shall be posted at an existing prairie dog site and release site, if applicable, or proposed release site stating the purpose of the project at least ten days before any proposed action. A posted sign shall be not less than twenty-two inches by twenty-eight inches in size. (Ord. 1759 §1, 2004)

No government entity, including the city, shall be required to pay more than $4,500.00 for the relocation, removal, or extermination of prairie dogs from any parcel of property or tract of land. (Ord. 1759 §1, 2004)

The penalty for violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be as prescribed in chapter 1-12, B.M.C. (Ord. 1759 §1, 2004)