Owning an American Bully in Colorado puts you at the center of one of the most rapidly changing areas of dog law in the country. The state has no blanket ban on bully breeds, but a patchwork of local ordinances — some of which have shifted multiple times in just the past few years — means the rules that apply to your dog depend almost entirely on your zip code.
If you are moving to Colorado, already living there, or simply traveling through with your Bully, understanding how state law interacts with local ordinances is not optional — it is the difference between keeping your dog and losing them. This guide walks through every layer of the law that applies to you.
Is the American Bully Recognized as a Separate Breed Under Colorado Law?
The American Bully (Canis lupus familiaris) is a distinct breed recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC), but Colorado state law does not name it as a separate, regulated breed. This distinction matters enormously in practice.
Multiple municipalities in Colorado have enacted prohibitions on ownership of certain dog breeds, notably prohibiting “pit bull” type dogs — an amalgamation of several different breeds. Each city has its own description of what constitutes a pit bull or other banned breed within its jurisdiction. The American Bully is not named in these ordinances by its breed name, but its physical appearance — blocky head, muscular build, wide chest — can cause animal control officers to classify it as a pit bull type dog under a local definition.
While American Bullies are generally not named in breed bans, “pit bulls” and pit bull type dogs are. This typically means the targeting of specific physical characteristics like a solid build and blocky head — characteristics that can also describe the American Bully. This means American Bullies can get swept up in BSL and wrongly labeled as aggressive just because of their appearance.
If you want to understand the full genetic and breed history behind your dog, the article on what breeds make an American Bully explains the lineage that often causes this confusion with pit bull definitions.
Does Colorado Have Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)?
Colorado has no state-level ban on pit bulls, meaning pit bulls are not automatically banned or restricted throughout the state. However, the picture at the local level is far more complicated.
In 2004, the state enacted C.R.S. § 18-9-204.5, a “ban on bans,” attempting to end the use of BSL in Colorado. The statute states that nothing in the section shall be construed to prohibit a municipality from adopting rules for dangerous dogs, except that any such rule or law shall not regulate dangerous dogs in a manner that is specific to breed. The intent was to shift enforcement from breed identification to behavior-based standards.
However, the authority of Colorado municipalities to enforce restrictions stems from the state’s principle of Constitutional Home Rule, which grants cities substantial autonomy to pass local ordinances, provided those ordinances address a specific municipal concern like public safety. Denver successfully challenged the 2004 statute and maintained its own breed-specific rules for years as a result.
Colorado law delegates the authority to enforce BSL to individual cities and counties. The trend in major metropolitan areas like Denver and Aurora has been the repeal of outright bans, replacing them with strict licensing and behavioral regulations. That said, the situation remains fluid — Aurora has reversed course more than once, and you should always verify current local rules directly with your municipality before acquiring or relocating with a bully breed dog.
Important Note: Aurora’s ordinance has changed multiple times in recent years. As of the time of publication, sources conflict on whether Aurora’s ban is currently in effect. Verify Aurora’s current ordinance directly with Aurora Animal Services before making any decisions about living there with a bully breed dog.
For a deeper look at how Colorado’s pit bull-specific rules layer on top of what applies to American Bullies, see the companion article on pit bull laws in Colorado.
Local and County-Level Bully Breed Restrictions in Colorado
Because Colorado gives municipalities wide latitude, the rules vary city by city. The table below summarizes the known status of key Colorado jurisdictions as of early 2026. Always confirm current ordinances directly with local animal control, as these rules change frequently.
| Municipality | Current Status | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | Restricted — permit required | Breed-Restricted Permit, microchip, spay/neuter, rabies vaccination |
| Aurora | Contested — verify directly | Ban reinstated after 2024 voter repeal; ongoing legal challenges |
| Lone Tree | Repealed (2021) | Standard dog licensing applies |
| Commerce City | Repealed (2021) | Standard dog licensing applies |
| Castle Rock | Repealed (2018) | Standard dog licensing applies |
| Fort Lupton | Repealed (2019) | Standard dog licensing applies |
| Louisville | Repealed (2023) | Standard dog licensing applies; wolf-dog hybrids still banned |
| Fort Collins / Colorado Springs | No BSL | Leash laws, licensing, and vaccination requirements apply |
After repealing its decades-long pit bull ban in 2020, Denver implemented a Breed-Restricted Permit system. This policy allows pit bull ownership under strict conditions, including microchipping, vaccinations, and a probationary period. Because Denver’s definition of “pit bull” includes dogs displaying predominant physical characteristics of the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier, an American Bully that resembles any of these breeds may require the same permit.
BSL advocates have tracked repeals across Colorado, including Castle Rock (2018), Commerce City (2021), Denver (2020), Fort Lupton (2019), Lone Tree (2021), and Louisville (2023). This wave of repeals reflects a broader national shift away from breed-based enforcement, but it does not mean your Bully is automatically welcome everywhere in the state.
If you are traveling through Colorado with your dog, the dog leash laws in Colorado and leash laws in Colorado articles cover the baseline rules that apply in every jurisdiction, regardless of breed restrictions.
Insurance, Housing, and Landlord Restrictions on Bully Breeds in Colorado
Even where no municipal ban exists, two practical barriers — homeowners insurance and rental housing — can make owning an American Bully difficult. Colorado has recently addressed both areas through legislation.
Homeowners Insurance
While homeowners’ insurance policies have historically excluded specific “dangerous breeds,” as of 2025, Colorado law (HB 25-1207) prohibits insurers from refusing to insure or increasing premiums on homeowners’ or dwelling fire insurance policies based on a dog breed kept at a dwelling, unless the dog is known to be dangerous or has been declared dangerous. This is a significant protection for American Bully owners who previously faced policy cancellations or premium surcharges simply because of their dog’s appearance.
The key phrase is “declared dangerous.” If your dog has never been formally classified as dangerous under Colorado law, an insurer cannot use breed alone as a basis for denial or higher rates. Keep documentation of your dog’s training, temperament assessments, and any breed certifications — these can support your position if an insurer challenges coverage.
Rental Housing and Landlord Rules
In the law governing common interest communities, Colorado law invalidates any covenant that prohibits the keeping of certain types of dogs based solely on a breed, weight, or size classification. Other regulations, such as the prevention of nuisance barking and requirements concerning the number of dogs per household and the disposal of waste, remain valid.
For renters, the picture is more nuanced. Colorado’s HB 23-1068, effective January 2024, introduced significant tenant protections around pet-related costs. The bill sets clear limits on how much landlords can charge, capping pet rent at $35 per month or 1.5% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater. Landlords can only ask for a pet deposit of up to $300 per pet.
However, HB 23-1068 does not prevent a private landlord from prohibiting specific breeds in a lease agreement — it only caps fees when pets are permitted. If you are renting, make sure to check with your landlord or apartment rental company about any animal or breed-specific bans, regardless of city laws. Always get breed-permission clauses in writing before signing any lease.
Pro Tip: Ask your landlord for written confirmation that your specific dog is permitted before signing a lease. A verbal agreement offers no protection if a new property manager or HOA board later challenges your dog’s presence.
For more on Colorado pet ownership rights in rental situations, see the article on pet custody laws in Colorado.
“Dangerous Dog” Classification and What It Means in Colorado
Colorado’s dangerous dog framework is behavior-based, not breed-based, at the state level. Understanding how a dog earns this label — and what follows — is essential for any bully breed owner.
Under C.R.S. § 18-9-204.5, a “dangerous dog” is defined as any dog that inflicts bodily or serious bodily injury upon or causes the death of a person or domestic animal; demonstrates tendencies that would cause a reasonable person to believe that the dog may inflict bodily or serious bodily injury upon or cause the death of any person or domestic animal; or engages in or is trained for animal fighting.
The second prong — “demonstrates tendencies” — is the one most likely to affect American Bully owners. A dog does not have to bite someone to be classified as dangerous. Aggressive lunging, threatening behavior toward a person, or a history of attacking other animals can all trigger this classification, even if no injury occurred.
Once a dog is declared dangerous, the consequences are serious:
- Colorado law requires a dangerous dog to be confiscated and placed in a public animal shelter at the owner’s expense.
- The owner must post a conspicuous warning sign on the building or enclosure notifying others that a dangerous dog is housed there, and for a second or subsequent offense, must muzzle the dangerous dog whenever it is outside the building or enclosure.
- The owner must permanently identify the dog through microchip implantation and pay a $50 non-refundable dangerous dog microchip license fee to the Bureau of Animal Protection.
- Owners found guilty face misdemeanor penalties if their dogs cause bodily injury, or felony charges if their dogs cause the death of a person.
C.R.S. § 35-42-115 mandates that the Bureau of Animal Protection create a statewide dangerous dog registry consisting of a database of information concerning microchip types and placement. A dangerous dog designation follows your dog in this registry, which can affect housing, travel, and insurance going forward.
For context on how Colorado handles dog bite liability more broadly, the dog bite laws in Colorado article covers owner liability in detail. You may also want to review the rules around neighbors’ dogs on your property in Colorado if a dispute with a neighboring dog owner is involved.
Requirements for Owning a Bully Breed Under Local Ordinances in Colorado
Where a municipality still regulates bully breeds — or where your American Bully is classified under a pit bull definition — specific ownership requirements apply. Denver’s Breed-Restricted Permit system is the most detailed currently active framework in the state.
To own a pit bull or bully-type dog in Denver, you must meet all of the following requirements under Denver Animal Protection (DAP) rules:
- Breed-Restricted Permit: All pit bull owners and adopters must contact DAP to schedule an appointment for a restricted-breed assessment. Assessments take 30–45 minutes and are conducted at the Denver Animal Shelter. The assessment fee is $25 per dog and is non-refundable.
- Household Limit: No owner or keeper of any pit bull may own or keep more than two pit bulls per household.
- Microchipping and Vaccination: The dog must be microchipped and have current rabies vaccination on file with DAP.
- Spay/Neuter: To own a pit bull in Denver, you must keep the dog confined inside or in a secure enclosure, spay or neuter the dog, and maintain current rabies vaccination.
- Probationary Period: Ownership is subject to a probationary period during which the dog’s behavior is monitored.
Outside Denver, cities without active BSL still require standard compliance: current dog license, rabies vaccination, compliance with leash laws, and adherence to any nuisance ordinances. Cities such as Fort Collins and Colorado Springs do not have BSL and allow pit bulls, though standard leash laws, licensing, and vaccination requirements still apply everywhere in the state.
Pro Tip: Even if your city has no breed restrictions, carry your dog’s vaccination records, license, and any breed certification documents when visiting parks, trails, or dog-friendly venues. Individual businesses and event organizers can set their own breed policies independent of city law.
If you are considering bringing a bully breed dog into Colorado from another state, the pet import laws in Colorado article outlines what documentation and health certificates are required at the state level.
What to Do If Your Bully Breed Is Targeted Under a Local Ordinance in Colorado
If animal control contacts you about your American Bully — whether for a suspected breed violation, a dangerous dog complaint, or a permit issue — how you respond in the first hours matters. Here is a practical sequence to follow.
Step 1: Do Not Surrender Your Dog Voluntarily Without Legal Advice
Voluntary surrender eliminates your legal standing to contest a breed determination. If an officer arrives and identifies your dog as a prohibited breed, you have the right to request a formal hearing before any action is taken. Aurora, for example, permits dogs to be kept alive if the owner produces evidence deemed sufficient by the court that the pit bull is to be permanently taken out of the city. Other jurisdictions’ relaxed evidentiary requirements during disposition hearings may provide opportunities to enter evidence that a prohibited breed of dog can be placed safely outside of a city.
Step 2: Gather Breed Documentation
ABKC or UKC registration papers, a letter from your veterinarian describing your dog’s breed, photos showing distinguishing features, and any DNA test results all help establish that your dog is an American Bully rather than a pit bull as defined by the local ordinance. Because common misconceptions about pit bull laws usually stem from confusion over which breeds are regulated and how local ordinances vary — many people believe that all dogs resembling pit bulls are automatically banned or restricted, but this is not always the case — a documented breed identity can be the deciding factor in a hearing.
Step 3: Request a Breed Assessment
Many municipalities that still regulate breeds use visual assessments rather than DNA testing. You can proactively request a formal breed assessment from the local animal control agency, which creates an official record of your dog’s classification. In Denver, this assessment is the same $25 process required for the Breed-Restricted Permit — completing it voluntarily before any complaint is filed puts you in a stronger position.
Step 4: Contact an Attorney Familiar With Colorado Animal Law
Commerce City’s code, for example, requires the city to establish “by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a reasonable likelihood of future injury to persons, property or animals” before the municipal court may order action against a dog. An attorney who knows these evidentiary standards can challenge a determination that lacks sufficient factual basis.
Step 5: Know Your Relocation Options
If a ban is upheld and you cannot successfully contest the breed classification, relocation outside the restricting city is generally the outcome that preserves your dog’s life. If found with a banned dog in one of these cities, authorities may impound the dog and put it in a shelter. The owner will then have the choice of surrendering the pet or moving to a location that does not have the same breed restriction. Moving to a neighboring city without BSL — such as Fort Collins or Colorado Springs — is a legal path that keeps your dog safe.
For comparison on how other states handle similar situations, you may find it useful to review American Bully laws in Texas, American Bully laws in Michigan, and American Bully laws in California — each state takes a meaningfully different approach that illustrates how much the legal landscape can vary across state lines.
Colorado’s legal environment for American Bully owners has improved substantially over the past decade, with most major cities repealing outright bans. The state-level insurance protections under HB 25-1207 and the HOA covenant restrictions add meaningful layers of protection that did not exist a few years ago. That said, the rules in Aurora remain unsettled, Denver’s permit system remains active, and any municipality retains the right to enact new ordinances. Staying current with your local city code — and keeping your dog’s documentation in order — remains the most reliable way to protect both your Bully and your rights as an owner. You can also explore other Colorado-specific animal law topics such as service dog laws in Colorado and kennel zoning laws in Colorado for additional context on how the state regulates dog ownership more broadly.