Douglas County, CO Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Breed ban
- None (state-preempted)
- State rule
- C.R.S. 18-9-204.5(5)
- County standard
- Behavior-based "vicious dog"
- Vicious-dog offense
- Class 2 petty offense
- State dangerous-dog
- Misdemeanor to felony
Summary
No. Colorado state law bars any county or town from regulating dangerous dogs by breed, so Douglas County has no pit-bull or breed ban. The county instead regulates individual "vicious" dogs by behavior: biting or attacking without provocation.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate a county's authority under part 1 of article 15 of title 30, C.R.S., to adopt dog control and licensing resolutions and to impose the penalties set forth in section 30-15-102, C.R.S.; except that any such resolution shall not regulate dangerous dogs in a manner that is specific to breed.
Full Breakdown
Under C.R.S. §18-9-204.5(5)(b), a county may adopt dog-control resolutions but "such resolution shall not regulate dangerous dogs in a manner that is specific to breed." A parallel rule (5)(a) applies to municipalities. Douglas County's R-998-100 follows this by defining a "vicious dog" (§1.00(16)) by conduct, a dog that bites or attacks a person or domestic animal without provocation, approaches in an attitude of attack in a vicious or terrorizing manner, or is found vicious by a court, not by breed. Failing to keep a vicious dog under physical control is a Class 2 petty offense (§1.05(1)(f)).
Violations & Fines
Owners cannot be cited for a dog's breed. Failing to keep a vicious dog under physical control is a Class 2 petty offense; state dangerous-dog charges under §18-9-204.5 range from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pit bulls banned in Douglas County?
What makes a dog "vicious" here?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Douglas County
How Douglas County compares: Cities with No Dog Breed Restrictions·Compare Douglas County to another location·View the Colorado animal ordinances overview
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