Dogs, cats, birds and hamsters are common pet companions that fill households across Colorado.

Now Brighton residents have the opportunity to add a new furry friend to the family as its city council unanimously voted to approve a two-year pilot program allowing miniature goats within city limits.

Ten permits will be offered to residents wanting to add a miniature goat through a lottery system. 

The Brighton Police Department’s Community Service Officer Division is in charge of enforcing the pilot program’s regulations that was developed through a city survey last summer, city officials said.

Some of those regulations include:

• Only disbanded female miniature goats will be allow (24 1/2 inches tall at withers)
• No more or less than two goats per property
• Goats would be considered household pets and count toward the maximum of four allowed per property
• Rabies vaccination would be required
• No on-site breeding or slaughter
• Only allowed on single-family detached properties with landowner permission
• Permits required

There is also a restriction and regulations for pens the animals will stay in and there is a minimum 7,500-square-foot lot size.

Anyone interested in participating in the program must enter the lottery by Feb. 28 on the city’s website. City officials will inform those who won the lottery on March 2.

Anyone with questions about the program is asked to contact the Shannon McDowell, Brighton’s long-range planner at smcdowell@brightonco.gov or 303-655-2015.