Grand Junction, CO Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Chapter 6.08 Livestock and Fowl governs keeping chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigeons and other domestic fowl, as well as horses, cows, swine and other livestock, within Grand Junction. GJMC § 6.08.020 makes it unlawful for the owner or keeper of chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys or other poultry to permit them to run or be at large in the City, and declares any poultry running at large a nuisance subject to abatement. Section 6.08.010 separately requires that any yard or place where domestic fowl are kept not become dangerous or detrimental to human health for want of care, food, ventilation or cleanliness, and gives the City Manager, the Manager's agent, or the County Health Department power to declare an unclean fowl yard a nuisance and abate it.

The same section applies to any stable, stall, shed or yard where a horse, cow, swine or other animal is kept: it must not be allowed to become unclean or unwholesome so that an offensive smell escapes or the premises become dangerous or detrimental to human health, though the section does not reach manure deposited on private property for the purpose of cultivating it. Impoundment of a domestic animal other than a dog or cat that is at large or unclaimed is handled under § 6.08.030, which authorizes the Animal Services Officer to impound the animal, charge impounding, boarding, advertising and veterinary fees set by City Council resolution, and, if unclaimed after 10 days, sell the animal at public or private sale, applying any proceeds first to costs incurred.