Grand Junction, CO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Grand Junction does not regulate dogs by breed, but GJMC § 6.12.060 imposes strict controls once a court finds a specific dog dangerous. A dog is defined as dangerous under § 6.12.020 if it causes serious bodily injury to a person, causes bodily injury to a person or animal on two or more occasions, is infected with rabies, injures someone off its owner's premises, is at large and shows aggressive behavior twice, demonstrates tendencies a reasonable person would find threatening, has fought in a dogfight with its owner's knowledge, or has been specifically found dangerous by a court.

Once so found, § 6.12.060(b) requires that whenever the dog is outside the owner's primary residence it be confined in an escape-proof kennel approved by Mesa County Animal Services, or kept on a leash under the direct control of a responsible adult, plus any additional safety restrictions the court ordered. Section 6.12.060(c) requires the owner to obtain an annual special permit and identification tag from the City within 30 days of the dog residing in the City, or within 30 days before the existing permit expires; the permit expires every December 31 and the tag must be worn at all times.

A dangerous dog is impounded as a public nuisance under § 6.12.090 and, per § 6.12.100(b), cannot be released during a pending criminal proceeding and can be summarily destroyed if it cannot be safely impounded. Mandatory court appearance, rather than a penalty-assessment ticket, is required for any § 6.12.060 charge under § 6.12.120(c).