What dog owners in Denver need to know — license, pet limits, leash rules and barking — in plain English, each linked to the official Denver page it came from.
Dogs and cats six months and older must be licensed within 30 days of arriving in Denver: $15 for one year, $40 for three, $150 for life. Seniors 65+ get one free three-year license. Dogs and cats over six months must also be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds a $150 intact permit.
Source: D.R.M.C. ch. 8 · Get or renew a license →
A household may keep five dogs and cats in total, of which no more than three may be dogs. No household may have more than two pit bulls, which need a breed-restricted permit.
Dogs must be leashed at all times unless confined in your home or yard or in a designated off-leash dog park. Fines are $80 for a first violation, $150 for a second and $300 after that.
Source: D.R.M.C. § 8-16
Letting a dog bark excessively can bring a violation notice, a fine or a court summons. Report through 311 — not anonymously. Denver Animal Protection first sends the owner a warning letter; if the barking continues, both sides are referred to free city mediation.
Source: D.R.M.C. § 8-17
Colorado has no statewide dog licensing requirement — counties and cities set their own. Most require a licence with proof of rabies vaccination, so check with your local animal services or clerk.
Colorado has no statewide leash law. Where a county or local board of health orders rabies vaccination, an unvaccinated dog may not run at large; leash rules are local.
Colorado has no statewide rabies vaccination requirement for pets; state law lets county and district boards of health require it, and most do — check with your county or city.
Colorado caps a security deposit at two months' rent. For a pet, a landlord may add a refundable pet deposit of no more than $300, and pet rent of no more than $35 a month or 1.5% of the rent, whichever is greater.
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Or follow the RSS feedGeneral information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change, often every year — the official page linked under each answer is the final word. Counties and homeowner associations may add their own rules.
