Boulder County, CO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed ban
- None
- State law
- C.R.S. 18-9-204.5 (behavior-based)
- BSL
- Barred by state statute
- County tool
- Vicious-dog rule (Ord. 2022-8 Sec. 7)
- Vicious =
- Bit/attempted bite unprovoked
Summary
Boulder County has no breed-specific dog ban. Colorado state law (C.R.S. 18-9-204.5) regulates dangerous dogs by behavior, not breed, and C.R.S. 18-9-204.5(5)(b) bars any local regulation that is specific as to breed. The county handles risky dogs through its vicious-dog process.
"Vicious Dog" means a dog that has bitten or attempted to bite any person, without provocation, or has bitten a domestic or wild animal without being attacked or threatened with attack first. This definition applies to any dog even on the first bite or attempt regardless of any prior history.
Full Breakdown
No pit bull, Rottweiler, or other breed is banned in unincorporated Boulder County. Colorado's dangerous-dog statute, C.R.S. 18-9-204.5, is conduct-based, and its home-rule clause prohibits local governments from adopting breed-specific dog laws (with a narrow exception for home-rule cities' own regulations). Boulder County instead uses Ordinance 2022-8, Section 7 (Vicious Dogs Running at Large): a 'vicious dog' is one that has bitten or attempted to bite a person without provocation, or bitten a domestic or wild animal unprovoked, even on the first bite. A vicious dog off-premises must be under leash control. The ordinance expressly preserves the state dangerous-dog statute.
Violations & Fines
There is no breed offense to cite. A dog is handled by behavior: letting a vicious dog off-premises without leash control, or allowing it to chase or attack, is a petty offense under Ordinance 2022-8, Section 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Boulder County?
How does the county deal with an aggressive dog?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
How Boulder County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado animal ordinances overview
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