Colorado does not have a single, statewide answer when it comes to pit bull ownership. Whether your dog is welcome, restricted, or outright prohibited depends almost entirely on where in the state you live. The rules in Denver look nothing like the rules in Fort Collins, and cities that banned pit bulls for decades have recently reversed course — while others have moved in the opposite direction.
If you own a pit bull, are considering adopting one, or are planning a move to Colorado, understanding the local legal landscape is essential. This guide walks you through what the state allows, which cities have restrictions, what permits and requirements apply, and what happens if something goes wrong.
Does Colorado Allow Breed-Specific Legislation
Colorado does not have any state-level breed-specific legislation (BSL). This means pit bulls are not automatically banned or restricted throughout the state. However, local governments are allowed to enact their own BSL, and several cities in Colorado have done so.
Colorado has specific legislation that prevents cities and counties from creating breed-specific legislation in certain contexts. However, some cities in Colorado have adopted “home rule” charters, which basically state that the city acts as the basic governing body — giving them the authority to set their own animal control rules independent of state guidance.
The term “breed-specific legislation” is a blanket term for laws that either regulate or ban certain dog breeds in an effort to decrease dog attacks on humans and other animals. Colorado BSL started in Denver in 1989 and was enacted following two high-profile attacks that involved pit bulls.
The result is a patchwork system. Colorado’s pit bull ownership laws vary significantly across cities, creating a confusing set of regulations for dog owners. Knowing the rules in your specific municipality — not just the state — is the most important step you can take before bringing a pit bull home.
Key Insight: “Pit bull” is not a single recognized breed. In Denver, for example, the term “pit bull” encompasses specific breeds, including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying predominant characteristics of these breeds.
Local Pit Bull Bans and Restrictions in Colorado
Colorado’s local BSL landscape has shifted significantly over the past several years, with many cities repealing long-standing bans. That said, restrictions still exist in some areas, and at least one city has moved to reinstate its ban.
Denver
Pit bulls are legal in Denver with a breed-restricted permit from Denver Animal Protection. In 2020, 66% of Denverites voted to pass Ballot Measure 2J, repealing a 30-year ban on pit bulls in the city. This change was influenced by studies indicating that breed-specific legislation didn’t significantly reduce dog attacks, as well as by shifts in public perception and advocacy for fairer laws.
Rather than allowing unrestricted ownership, Denver implemented a Breed-Restricted Permit system. This policy allows pit bull ownership under strict conditions, including microchipping, vaccinations, and a probationary period.
Aurora
After nearly two decades, Aurora residents voted to repeal the city’s controversial pit bull ban. Aurora, Colorado, finally lifted its long-standing ban on pit bulls. The decision, made by voters in November 2024, marked the end of a contentious debate that had raged since the ban was first implemented in 2005.
However, the situation in Aurora has been fluid. While most Colorado cities have repealed their dog breed bans, Aurora has taken the opposite approach. The city of Aurora has reinstated its pit bull ban, forbidding residents from owning the breed. You should verify Aurora’s current ordinance directly with the city before making any decisions, as this has changed multiple times in recent years.
Other Colorado Cities
Several other municipalities have also updated their BSL in recent years. In order to become a true no-kill state, 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).
Some cities maintain restrictions on related breeds even if not specifically targeting pit bulls. Louisville and Broomfield ban all wolf-dog hybrid breeds. The City of Lone Tree bans all fighting dog breeds, including pit bulls, canary dogs, and American bulldogs.
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. You can compare how other states handle these issues by reviewing pit bull laws in Arizona or pit bull laws in Wyoming.
Important Note: Because local ordinances change frequently, always contact your city or county animal control office directly to confirm current rules before adopting or relocating with a pit bull.
Pit Bull Ownership Requirements in Colorado
If you live in a city that permits pit bulls — either freely or under a permit system — you will still face certain baseline requirements. Denver’s Breed-Restricted Permit program is the most detailed example of what regulated ownership looks like in Colorado.
Denver’s Breed-Restricted Permit Process
Pit bull-type dogs — American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, and Staffordshire bull terriers — are legal in Denver if they have received a Breed-Restricted Permit. Here is what the process involves:
- Breed Assessment: Contact Denver Animal Protection (DAP) to schedule a restricted-breed assessment at the Denver Animal Shelter. These assessments last 30–45 minutes and are conducted by DAP staff. The assessment fee is $25 per dog and is non-refundable.
- Permit Application: To apply for a Breed-Restricted Permit, you must provide the name and address of the pit bull owner or keeper, names and addresses of two emergency contacts, an accurate description and recent photograph of the pit bull, and payment of the $30 Breed-Restricted Permit fee (in addition to the assessment fee).
- Additional Documentation: You must also provide proof of spaying or neutering (or a DAP intact permit), proof of a registered microchip implant, proof of current rabies vaccination, and proof of a city license (issued only upon approval of the Breed-Restricted Permit).
- Annual Renewal: The fee for the permit is $30 per animal, and it must be renewed every year for 3 years (at $30 per animal per year).
- Household Limit: No owner or keeper of any pit bull may own or keep more than two pit bulls per household.
If there are no violations within the three-year period, Breed-Restricted Permit holders may request removal from the requirements. Pit bull owners must comply with all city regulations, including leash laws and proper waste disposal. Violations may reset the three-year permit period or lead to other legal consequences.
For context on how neighboring states approach similar requirements, see pit bull laws in Utah and pit bull laws in Oklahoma.
Housing and Property Restrictions in Colorado
Even if your city allows pit bulls, where you live — and who owns the property — can create additional hurdles. Rental housing, HOA communities, and insurance policies each carry their own rules.
Rental Properties
Colorado landlords generally retain the right to set pet policies, including breed restrictions. These restrictions can range from a ban on any pets over 65 pounds to a ban on specific breeds such as Rottweilers or pit bulls. If you rent, review your lease carefully and ask your landlord directly about breed policies before signing.
That said, Colorado’s HB 23-1068, effective January 2024, introduced significant tenant protections around pet-related costs. House Bill 23-1068 sets clear limits on how much landlords can charge for pet-related costs in rental properties. It caps pet rent at $35 per month or 1.5% of the monthly rent, whichever is greater. Furthermore, landlords can only ask for a pet deposit of up to $300 per pet.
HOA Communities
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.
However, this protection applies to HOA covenants — not to municipal ordinances. If your city bans pit bulls, an HOA rule to the contrary does not override that local law.
Homeowners Insurance
Colorado law now limits what insurance companies can do based on breed. The act prohibits insurers from denying a homeowner’s insurance policy or a dwelling fire insurance policy or increasing the premium for such a policy based on the breed or mixture of breeds of dog that resides at the insured dwelling, while allowing denial if a specific individual dog is a dangerous dog. Insurers are also prohibited from asking or otherwise inquiring about the specific breed or mixture of breeds of dog kept at a dwelling except to ask if the dog is known to be or has been declared a dangerous dog.
Pro Tip: Even if your insurer cannot deny coverage based on breed alone, a dog that has been formally declared dangerous can still affect your policy. Keep your dog’s permit and training records current to avoid any complications.
Containment and Control Laws in Colorado
Responsible containment is both a legal requirement and a practical necessity for pit bull owners in Colorado. The specific rules depend on your city, but Denver’s ordinance offers a clear illustration of what regulated ownership entails.
Under Denver’s ordinance, anyone who lawfully owns a pit bull must keep the dog confined in a home or secure enclosure. The dog also must be spayed or neutered and remain current on rabies vaccination. The dog owner must also post pit bull warning signs at all property entrances.
In addition to obtaining the special restricted breeds permit, all dog owners are required to be licensed in the city. Dogs must also be supervised and humanely restrained at all times — via a fence, for example.
Beyond Denver, standard statewide animal control rules apply in most jurisdictions. These typically include:
- Leash requirements in public spaces
- Current rabies vaccination
- Local licensing and registration
- Prohibition on dogs running at large
Even in cities without BSL, pit bulls may still be subject to other regulations, such as leash laws and requirements for vaccinations and licensing. Failing to comply with these baseline rules can expose you to fines and, in some cases, impoundment of your dog.
To see how containment rules compare elsewhere, you can review pit bull laws in Texas or pit bull laws in Ohio.
Traveling Through or Moving to Colorado With a Pit Bull
If you are relocating to Colorado or passing through the state with a pit bull, the city-by-city nature of Colorado’s BSL makes advance research essential. What is legal in one part of the state may be prohibited just a few miles down the road.
Before You Move
It is important to learn the law in your city before moving or becoming a pet owner. Otherwise, you could face penalties such as fines and the impoundment of your pet. Contact the animal control office in your destination city before finalizing any housing arrangements.
If you are moving to Denver specifically, you will need to schedule a breed assessment with Denver Animal Protection promptly. Effective immediately upon moving, all pit bull owners and adopters must contact DAP to schedule an appointment for a restricted-breed assessment. Assessments will take 30–45 minutes and will be conducted by DAP at the Denver Animal Shelter.
Traveling Through Colorado
Traveling through Colorado with a pit bull is generally permissible in most areas of the state. The risk arises if you pass through or stop in a city that maintains a ban. 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.
If you are driving through Colorado and plan to stop overnight, research the animal control policies of any city where you intend to stay. Keep your dog’s permit documentation, vaccination records, and microchip information accessible during travel.
Pro Tip: When traveling, carry a folder with your dog’s breed assessment results (if from Denver), current rabies certificate, microchip documentation, and any applicable permits. This documentation can resolve disputes with animal control quickly.
For comparison, see how other states handle visiting pit bull owners, including pit bull laws in Washington and pit bull laws in Oregon.
Liability and Penalties for Pit Bull Incidents in Colorado
Colorado takes dog bite liability seriously, and the law does not require a prior history of aggression before holding an owner accountable. Understanding both the civil and criminal dimensions of this liability is important for every pit bull owner in the state.
Strict Liability Under Colorado Law
The primary statute governing dog bites in Colorado is CRS 13-21-124. This imposes strict liability on dog owners when their dog bites someone lawfully on public or private property. Owners are liable even if the dog never displayed aggressive tendencies before. A first-time bite still triggers liability.
The victim must suffer “serious bodily injury” to claim damages. This covers injuries involving a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, organ damage, or broken bones. You can only pursue economic damages through a strict liability claim in Colorado.
Additionally, Colorado’s comparative fault rule under C.R.S. § 13-21-111 means that victims’ compensation will be reduced if they are partially at fault for the incident.
Penalties for Violating Local BSL
Failure to adhere to local breed-specific laws can result in fines or the forced removal of pets, creating stress and anxiety for dog owners. In cities with active bans, the consequences are more severe.
| Violation Type | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|
| Owning a banned breed in a restricted city | Immediate impoundment of the dog |
| Failure to obtain a Breed-Restricted Permit (Denver) | Fines and impoundment |
| Permit violations during the 3-year probationary period | Permit revocation; reset of probationary period |
| Dog bite causing serious bodily injury | Civil liability under CRS 13-21-124 |
| Failure to comply with containment requirements | Fines; potential impoundment |
A ban means that within the city limits where the ban is in effect, a dog exhibiting the traits of a pit bull may be impounded. When the dog is impounded, a government official may take the dog and put it in a shelter, where breed testing would be conducted to determine whether the dog is a banned breed. If so, the owner may take the dog to a location that does not have a ban on the particular breed.
Insurance and Legal Considerations
Out-of-court settlements — negotiating directly with the dog owner or their insurance company — often resolve claims more quickly. Many homeowners’ insurance policies provide liability coverage for dog bites, including medical bills and other related costs.
In areas where pit bulls and other breeds of dogs are banned, when a banned breed of dog bites you, you may be able to use the violation of the ban as evidence of negligence. This means owning a prohibited dog in a city with a ban carries legal risk beyond just animal control penalties.
For a broader look at how liability laws compare across the country, see pit bull laws in Pennsylvania, pit bull laws in Virginia, and pit bull laws in Tennessee. You can also review pit bull laws in Alabama and pit bull laws in South Carolina for additional regional context.
Important Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and local ordinances vary significantly. Consult a qualified attorney or your local animal control authority for guidance specific to your situation.