Broomfield, CO Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Chapter 6-16 (Rabies Control) treats cats the same as dogs and ferrets: Section 6-16-010(A) makes it unlawful to own, keep, harbor or possess any cat over three months old that has not been inoculated against rabies with a USDA-approved vaccine administered by a Colorado-licensed veterinarian, and that has not been registered with the city. Subsection (B) sets the deadline at thirty days after acquiring the cat, or thirty days after it turns three months, whichever is later. Anyone moving into Broomfield with a cat has thirty days from arrival to comply under subsection (C).

Registration itself runs through a Broomfield veterinarian, who files a certificate of vaccination with the city clerk; under Section 6-16-060 that filed certificate is what constitutes the cat's city registration, since cats and ferrets do not receive a wearable tag the way dogs do. Separately, Section 6-12-020(B) imposes a behavior standard rather than a licensing one: an owner must maintain reasonable control over a cat, and a cat is not considered under reasonable control if it inflicts damage or injury on another person's person or property, even though Section 6-12-010 exempts 'ordinary domesticated house cats' from the general running-at-large prohibition.

Failing to register under Chapter 6-16 carries a minimum fine of $150 under Section 6-16-250, with $50 of that non-waivable and the rest waivable only if the owner shows proof of rabies vaccination or a registered identifying microchip, and further waivable with proof of spay or neuter.