DRMC chapter 8 requires every cat over six months in Denver to be licensed annually with Denver Animal Protection and current on rabies vaccination under Colorado state law. Cats must not run at large or be a nuisance under DRMC 8-44.
Denver Revised Municipal Code chapter 8 (Animals) requires every cat older than six months to be licensed annually with Denver Animal Protection and to wear the city license tag. Spayed or neutered cats receive a discounted license fee. Colorado state law requires rabies vaccination by a licensed veterinarian for all cats; certificate must be available to DAP officers. DRMC 8-44 and 8-67 prohibit cats from running at large in a nuisance manner, defecating on neighbor property, or being abandoned. Free-roaming community cats may be managed through Denver-approved Trap-Neuter-Return programs. Cats found unlicensed or unvaccinated may be impounded at the Denver Animal Shelter and reclaimed only after fees and vaccination compliance.
Failing to license or vaccinate a Denver cat violates DRMC chapter 8 with fines starting at $80 per violation plus impound and reclaim fees. Repeat or nuisance-cat violations escalate to higher penalty schedule and possible court summons.
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