A hoop building costs less to put up than a wood or steel structure of the same footprint, which is why so many Colorado landowners choose one for storage, livestock shelter, or workshop space without a large construction budget. The tradeoff is a different look and a different set of rules than a traditional outbuilding, both worth understanding before buying one for a Front Range or rural Colorado property.
What Is a Hoop Building and Why Do Colorado Landowners Choose One?
A hoop building consists of a series of curved steel or aluminum frames covered with a fabric membrane, also called a fabric building or a membrane structure. The curved design distributes weight evenly across the frame, which means less steel is needed overall compared to a traditional rectangular structure, and the building can anchor directly onto soil, gravel, or a concrete pad.
Colorado landowners use hoop buildings for agricultural storage, livestock shelter, home workshops, and vehicle or equipment storage, especially on larger rural and horse-property parcels east and south of the Front Range where a traditional pole barn or steel building costs significantly more.
How Much Does a Hoop Building Cost in Colorado?
| Size | Estimated Cost Range (Materials + Basic Install) |
|---|---|
| 20' x 30' (600 sq ft) | $6,000 to $12,000 |
| 30' x 60' (1,800 sq ft) | $15,000 to $28,000 |
| 40' x 100' (4,000 sq ft) | $30,000 to $55,000 |
| 60' x 150' (9,000 sq ft) | $60,000 to $110,000 |
Prices vary with fabric grade, frame spacing, add-ons like end walls, doors, and ventilation, and whether a concrete foundation is included. Compare options through hoop buildings from Shelter Structures to see current sizing and pricing.
What Sizes Do Hoop Buildings Come In?
Hoop buildings scale from small 20-foot-wide storage structures up to 100-foot-wide agricultural and equestrian buildings, with length added in increments to fit the parcel and the intended use. A 30-foot to 40-foot width covers most equipment storage and small livestock needs, while wider spans suit riding arenas or larger agricultural operations.
Does a Hoop Building Need a County or City Permit in Colorado?
Most Colorado counties and cities require a building permit for a hoop building above a certain size or when it includes electrical or plumbing, but the threshold and process differ by jurisdiction. Denver, Douglas County, El Paso County, and Weld County each set their own rules on accessory structures, so check with the local building department before ordering materials; Kenna's Denver ADU and zoning guide covers how Denver handles accessory structure permits.
How Does Snow Load Affect a Hoop Building on the Front Range?
Front Range snow load requirements vary by elevation and jurisdiction, and a hoop building's engineering specification needs to match the local code, not a generic national average. Higher-elevation properties near the foothills or in mountain counties carry higher snow load requirements than lower Front Range locations, which affects frame spacing and fabric rating.
Can a Hoop Building Handle Colorado Wind and Hail?
A properly engineered hoop building with a fabric cover rated for the local wind zone holds up to Front Range conditions, including the wind events that come through the eastern plains and foothills. Hail season, spring through September, is harder on the fabric cover than on a steel roof, so a heavier-gauge fabric or a reinforced cover option is worth the added cost for a building that will see decades of Colorado weather.
What Foundation Does a Hoop Building Need on Colorado Soil?
Colorado's expansive clay soils shift with moisture changes, so a hoop building anchored with ground stakes on unprepared native soil can settle unevenly over time. A gravel base or a concrete perimeter footing gives a more stable, level foundation and is worth the extra upfront cost on any property with known expansive soil, which a soil test can confirm before construction starts.
How Does a Hoop Building Compare to a Pole Barn or Steel Building?
| Structure Type | Relative Cost | Build Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hoop building | Lowest | Days to a couple of weeks |
| Pole barn | Mid-range | Several weeks |
| Steel-frame building | Highest | Several weeks to months |
A hoop building trades a longer service life and a more finished appearance for a lower price and faster install. A pole barn or steel building holds resale value slightly better on a property expected to sell within the next few years, since some buyers view a hoop structure as a temporary or utility building rather than a permanent one.
What Can a Hoop Building Be Used For on a Colorado Property?
- Equipment and vehicle storage for tractors, trailers, RVs, and farm machinery.
- Livestock shelter for horses, cattle, or smaller animals, especially on a working horse property.
- Hay and feed storage, keeping supplies dry through winter without the cost of a fully enclosed barn.
- A home workshop or hobby space when insulated and finished with interior wall options.
Does a Hoop Building Add Value to a Colorado Horse Property?
A well-maintained hoop building used for hay storage, equipment, or overflow livestock shelter adds functional value to a horse property, though it adds less resale value than a fully finished barn with stalls and utilities in most comparisons. Buyers shopping Colorado horse properties tend to weigh outbuildings as part of the overall land package rather than pricing each structure separately.
How Long Does a Hoop Building Take to Put Up?
A smaller hoop building can go up in a few days once the site is prepped, while a larger agricultural or equestrian structure with a concrete foundation takes several weeks including site work, foundation cure time, and frame assembly. Permit approval timelines add to the total project schedule and should be factored in before setting a target completion date.
Do HOAs and Metro Districts Restrict Hoop Buildings on Front Range Lots?
Many Front Range HOAs restrict or prohibit fabric and hoop-style structures on smaller residential lots, even where the local jurisdiction would otherwise permit one. This is more of a factor on standard suburban lots than on larger rural or horse-property parcels outside a covenant-controlled community, so check the specific property's covenants before planning a purchase.
What Maintenance Does a Hoop Building Need in Colorado's Climate
Check the fabric cover for tears or UV wear at least once a year, since Colorado's intense sun at altitude degrades exposed fabric faster than at lower elevations. Clear snow accumulation promptly after heavy storms to keep the load within the frame's rated capacity, and inspect anchor points after high-wind events.
Where to go next
- Colorado Horse Properties for Sale
- Colorado Horse Property Buying Guide
- Denver ADU, Zoning, and Historic District Guide
- Buying a Colorado horse property: barns, storage, and land
- Colorado barndominiums for sale guide
- Search every home for sale in Colorado
Talk to the Kenna Real Estate Group
Whether you are buying a rural or horse property that already has outbuildings or planning to add one after closing, the Kenna Real Estate Group can point you toward parcels with the zoning and covenant flexibility to support your plans. Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree. Or search every home for sale in Colorado to find land ready for your next project.
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