Commerce City, CO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Ordinance No. 2312, adopted January 4, 2021, replaced Commerce City's former breed-specific pit bull prohibition with the behavior-based dangerous-animal scheme now codified at Sec. 4-2011 of the Animal Code; an editor's note to that section confirms the former version pertained to pit bulls prohibited. Under the current rule, any animal the municipal court designates dangerous must, when not confined inside an escape-proof structure, either live in an enclosure with a lockable latch, a secure top, and a base sunk at least six inches below grade, or be muzzled on a non-retractable leash under ten feet held by an adult at least eighteen years old.

The owner must register the animal annually with the animal control agent, pay a council-set fee, attach a conspicuous marker such as a blaze-orange collar, and carry at least one hundred thousand dollars in homeowner's or renter's liability insurance, with proof filed every year. The owner must report an attack or the animal going loose within one hour of learning of it, and report the animal's death, sale, or transfer within twenty-four hours. Only one dangerous animal is allowed per household, and animal control agents may inspect the animal and premises at any reasonable time.

The municipal court can also add conditions such as a location ban, training, or a management program, and an owner may petition after twelve months to have conditions reduced or the designation lifted.