Denver Beekeepers No Longer Criminals

The Denver City Council passed a honey of an ordinance last week, allowing hobbyist beekeepers to do just that - keep their bees. The new rule allows residents to keep two hives per lot, provided they follow certain guidelines. Hives must be located at the rear of the property, no closer than five feet to the property line, and must be enclosed by a 6 foot high barrier of some kind. The barrier encourages bees to fly higher when they come and go, hopefully avoiding contact with the beekeeper's neighbors.

For years, backyard beekeepers in Denver have kept their honeybees on the down low, and law enforcement took a "don't ask, don't tell" approach to the banned activity. That changed in June, when a beekeeper's neighbor filed a complaint about her hives. Marygael Meister was fined and threatened with jail time for refusing to give up her bees.

Meister and fellow beekeepers decided the time had come to step out of the shadows. They lobbied the Denver Council to change the law, arguing that beekeeping benefits the community and should be encouraged in light of widespread honeybee losses. The apiarists caught the ear of Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann, who sponsored the new beekeeping ordinance. Honeybees were welcomed to Denver by a vote of 10-2.

More on Honeybees:

• Who's Who in the Hive
• The Waggle Dance and Other Ways Bees Communicate
• What's Causing Colony Collapse Disorder?