Land for Sale in Park County, CO
Park County is the mountain county southwest of Denver: 2,211 square miles with 17,390 residents (2020 census), about 8 per square mile, most of it in the South Park National Heritage Area. Land is mountain and high-park acreage, from Bailey and Lake George to Fairplay, Hartsel and Guffey. Wells, the 35-acre rule and wildfire shape every parcel, and this guide covers them.
Park County at a glance
- County seat and largest town: Fairplay. Other places: Alma, Bailey (the largest settlement), Lake George, Guffey, Hartsel, Como and Jefferson.
- 2020 population 17,390; about 2,211 square miles; about 7.9 people per square mile.
- The county is part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metropolitan area; the headwaters of the South Platte River are here.
- Highways: US 24 and 285 and Colorado 9; Pike National Forest and San Isabel National Forest are protected areas.
- Most of the county is in the South Park National Heritage Area.
The Park County land market
Buyers look for mountain cabin sites, hunting and recreation land and ranch acreage within reach of the Denver area. Bailey and the Highway 285 corridor are closer to the Front Range and cost more, while Hartsel, Guffey and the open South Park ranches cost less but are remote. Parcels range from a few acres to 40 acres or more, with larger ranches in South Park. Elevation, snow and access matter more than acreage.
Wells and the 35-acre rule
Before you drill, you need a well permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources, not the county. A tract of 35 acres or more usually qualifies for a domestic and livestock well serving up to three homes, irrigation of up to one acre and livestock, while smaller lots are often limited to household use, and some parcels under 35 acres hold an older domestic exempt permit, so check the actual permit. State law excludes divisions into parcels of 35 acres or more from subdivision review, but counties can still apply zoning and hazard standards to them, and some counties require more than 35 acres to build a dwelling.
Park County says land use is governed by its zoning, land use and subdivision regulations and building codes, plus county health rules, and a septic permit must come before a building permit. Ask the county planning and environmental health departments what applies to the parcel.
Wildfire and access
Park County advises buyers to weigh wildfire risk when choosing a building site, to consider road and driveway access for emergency vehicles and to create defensible space. The county's 2009 community wildfire protection plan named Bailey, Lake George, Guffey and the northwest fire district as priority areas, though that plan is dated, and the county issues seasonal fire restrictions. Winter snow can close roads at high elevation, so confirm recorded legal access and plowing.
Before you buy land in Park County
- Well permit type and what the parcel's size allows.
- County zoning, minimum lot size and septic permit.
- Wildfire exposure, defensible space and insurance.
- Recorded legal access and winter maintenance.
- Mineral rights and any conservation easement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drill a well on a small lot in Park County?
Smaller lots are often limited to household use, while parcels of 35 acres or more usually qualify for a domestic and livestock well. Check the permit with the Colorado Division of Water Resources.
What is the 35-acre rule in Colorado?
State law excludes divisions into parcels of 35 acres or more from subdivision review, but counties can still apply zoning to them.
Is Park County a wildfire risk?
Yes, in forested areas. The county advises defensible space and emergency access, and its 2009 wildfire plan named several priority areas.