Colorado beginner beekeeping

So my brother-in-law just bought some land (5-10 acres) down near Franktown. He just moved in but is already getting chickens and a variety of other stuff going. He told me tonight that he's seriously thinking about putting in some beehives, and since he knows I've wanted land to do that too (Unfortunately, I'm in an HOA in the city now), offered me a chance to drop some on his land too. There's a good source of water and he says there are a ton of pollen-producing trees among other things there, plus whatever else might get planted.

So I've been reading over old threads and digging through what I can find online, ordered the "for dummies" book tonight as well. But I have a lot to learn.

1) It seems like time might be critical here as it looks like a lot of the packages and whatever are setup for an April/May start. How realistic is it to go from start to having a hive in just a few weeks without hurting the bees or losing everything? He was thinking he didn't need to start until later in the spring but I'm not sure he has really thought in detail about it yet.
2) Any mentor beekeeper types interested in getting a few newbies going?
3) He's been convinced by an amateur friend of his that the flow hive is the way to go. I read up on those several years ago and it seemed like the "old crew" really hated them, but mostly only because the videos made beekeeping in general seem too easy and all about the honey vs. an actual issue with the hives. Thoughts?
4) Looks like there are a few companies in the area selling gear or packages. Are there any to watch out for or stay away from?

I'm very interested in how this turns out for you. I've been wanting to start a little beekeeping operation but I know nothing about it. I have the perfect place to do it, too. I just need to get over my fear of screwing it up and learn what I can then do it.

Big R sells starter Bee kits. My wife took a free Bee class at the rec center in our city last year. Well, she went to one of three classes anyway. Get it done.

Looking at this same thing last week there are some hives for sale in the wheat ridge area right now

I'm going to be learning more about bee's also, without much effort on my part. An old co-worker and his daughter are bringing a hive to set-up on my property. They have already set-up the lower section and will be bringing the bees this Saturday.
This will be their 5th hive. At this point I don't know the answers to your questions so I'll be learning right along with everyone else.

Had a friend that kept hives on an estate in Douglas County.
He rented the land from the owner for $100 a year and produced about 100 jars of honey.
He sold 20 of the jars to the land owner for $100 and sold the rest to friends and family.
The land owner maintained an agricultural zoning and lower taxes, and the bee keeper had a great space for his bees, qualified as an agricultural user, and everyone was happy.
Don;t know if you that still works or not.

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Originally Posted by foxtrot

I read the title as "beginner bookkeeping" for some reason. I was thoroughly confused halfway into the post.

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Gotta' keep a proper accounting of those bees, don'tcha'know.

SamuraiCO has done bee keeping and lives in Parker area. Search for his posts, maybe PM and ask him to chime in.

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Originally Posted by buffalobo

SamuraiCO has done bee keeping and lives in Parker area. Search for his posts, maybe PM and ask him to chime in.

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Yep, it's been two years since the last update. We need bee news... :)

Ok my bees have had a tough time over the past couple of years. i had the hives on a friends property out in Elizabeth.

I think at first they did not get enough afternoon sun and was too cold during the winter months. Even with them wrapped i still lost both hives. I moved last year to a better spot on their property that got more morning sun for longer.

Last year only did one hive. I started from a nuc (small hive, 5 frames with queen). More expensive than a package (just bees and a queen no frames). Queen died, replaced and she just did not lay eggs. By the time I found out season was over.

Nucs get your numbers up faster and have a chance to harvest some honey but costs more than packages. Either one is fine for beginners.

Southwest beekeepers meet first Wednesday of each month at the Pinery Firehouse. Look them up on facebook or web. There are people there who can help you out.

To Bee or Not to Bee has new owners and is closer to us. Now in Littleton. They should have information on nucs and packages that are coming very soon. They have great equipment and supplies. They also have all sorts of classes for beginners.

If you get all the supplies and have no bees see if someone from Southwest beekeepers can help fill it up with a spring swarm.

I decided not to try again this year. I need to get my own yard in shape. I also want to spend some time at my buddies house and get some better flowering plants going. It is also hard for me to get out and attend them the way they need with my work schedule. I will pick up again in a couple of years if I get a chance to step back from pharmacy and move on to something less stressful, Mon-Fri no evenings and no weekends. I will have been practicing pharmacy for 30 years next year. Tired of standing all day, no breaks, stressful and customers who have no respect.

Anyway if you have more questions shoot them my way.

I got some wasps in my backyard if you want to try on a swarm you don't mind killing!