What state law in Colorado says about pets — in plain English, with a link to each source.
Last verified November 3, 2026
🚗 Hot cars
Law in place — bystanders may rescue
Colorado protects a bystander who breaks into a vehicle to rescue an animal in imminent danger, as long as they follow the law's steps — typically making sure the car is locked, calling 911 or the police first, using no more force than necessary and staying with the animal until help arrives. Leaving an animal in a dangerous vehicle is also an offence.
Animals covered: "Animal" defined as cat or dog. Law specifically excludes livestock
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.
What the law says: No statewide law requiring vaccination: "When it is deemed advisable in the interest of public health and safety, the board of health of an organized health department or a county board of health may order that all dogs, cats, other pet animals, or other mammals in the county or district be vaccinated against rabies, such vaccination to be performed by a licensed veterinarian." C. R. S. A. § 25-4-607
Medical exemptions: A veterinarian, with the written consent of an animal's owner, may issue a written waiver pursuant to the rules of the health department, exempting an animal from a rabies vaccination order if the veterinarian, in his or her professional opinion, determines that the rabies inoculation is contraindicated due to the animal's medical condition. The executive director of the health department shall…
Colorado’s strict liability applies only when a bite causes serious bodily injury or death; other bites follow ordinary negligence rules.
What it covers: Bite BUT ONLY if the person suffered serious bodily injury or death from being bitten by a dog
Where: While lawfully on public or private property
Defences: A dog owner shall not be liable: if the person bitten is unlawfully on public or private property (trespassing) if the person bitten is on property of the dog owner and the property is clearly and conspicuously marked with one or more posted signs stating "no trespassing" or "beware of dog" the dog is being used by a peace officer or military personnel in the performance of duties the person…
Yes. Colorado lets a court include pets in a domestic-violence protective order (since 2007) — for example by giving the petitioner care of the animal and ordering the abuser not to harm or take it.
Colorado allows an emergency protection order to include language restraining a party from molesting, injuring, killing, taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, disposing of or threatening harm to an animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by any other party, a minor child of either of the parties, or an elderly or at-risk adult. 2010 amendments to this statute includes within the definition of "domestic violence" any other crime against a person, or against property, including an animal, or any municipal ordinance violation against a person, or against property, including an animal, when used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge directed against a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship.
Yes, from January 1, 2028. Colorado’s 2026 law (HB 26-1011, the “Pistol the Pomeranian Act”) bans pet shops from selling dogs and cats and stops brokers reselling animals from breeders. Existing puppy stores must phase out sales by then.
Yes. Dogs entering Colorado need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) from a vet, issued within 30 days of entry. Dogs over 3 months of age must be vaccinated for rabies within 12 months prior to entry.
As summarised by the AKC (March 2023) — confirm with the state veterinarian before you travel:
CVI required, w/n 30 days prior to entry.
CVI must be issued by accredited veterinarian within 30 days prior to entry.
Must indicate dog is free from rabies exposure.
Dogs over 3 months of age must be vaccinated for rabies within 12 months prior to entry.
Type of vaccination and date of administration must be listed on CVI.
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 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.
