Larimer County, CO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed bans
- None; state-preempted
- Authority
- C.R.S. 18-9-204.5(5)
- Basis for regulation
- Behavior, not breed
- Bodily injury
- Class 2 misdemeanor
- Causing death
- Class 5 felony
Summary
Larimer County and Fort Collins have no breed-specific dog bans. Colorado state law, C.R.S. 18-9-204.5(5), lets counties and cities regulate dangerous dogs but forbids any rule that targets a specific breed.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a municipality from adopting any rule or law for the control of dangerous dogs; except that any such rule or law shall not regulate dangerous dogs in a manner that is specific to breed.
Full Breakdown
Colorado's dangerous-dog statute, C.R.S. 18-9-204.5, preempts breed-specific legislation. Subsection (5)(a) allows a municipality to adopt dangerous-dog rules "except that any such rule or law shall not regulate dangerous dogs in a manner that is specific to breed," and (5)(b) applies the same limit to counties. Larimer County's own code (Sec. 6-79) and the state statute define and penalize "dangerous" dogs by individual behavior, not breed: a dog inflicting bodily injury is a class 2 misdemeanor, serious bodily injury a class 1 misdemeanor, and causing death a class 5 felony. So no pit bull or other breed ban applies in unincorporated Larimer County, Fort Collins, or Loveland.
Violations & Fines
Owning a dog that qualifies as "dangerous" by behavior carries state penalties from a class 2 misdemeanor up to a class 5 felony (death); breed alone is never a violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls legal in Larimer County?
Can a city still ban a breed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Larimer County
How Larimer County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Larimer County to another location·View the Colorado animal ordinances overview
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