Broomfield, CO Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Chapter 6-12, Animals Running at Large, Strays, Impoundment, Disturbing the Peace, starts with section 6-12-010's flat prohibition: it is unlawful for any person owning or having charge of any animal, except an ordinary domesticated house cat and except for dogs used by the city for public health or public safety purposes, to permit the animal to run at large within the city. What counts as running at large is defined back in section 6-08-140: any animal off the premises of the owner and not under the direct and competent control of the owner or an authorized agent by means of a leash, unless the animal is inside a vehicle, and section 6-08-110 defines a leash as a substantial chain, cord, rope, or similar device sufficient to hold the animal in restraint, so a voice command or an obedient off-leash dog does not satisfy the ordinance.

Section 6-08-140 extends the definition into shared housing: the premises of the owner does not include common areas of condominiums, townhouses, or apartment buildings, so a dog in a shared hallway, courtyard, or parking area without a leash is running at large even on the owner's own condo or apartment property, and a leash anchored to the owner's property that stretches past the property line does not count as control either. Once an animal control officer witnesses a violation, section 6-12-030 authorizes impoundment, including entry onto private property, and section 6-12-050 lets the animal control officer file charges in municipal court whether or not the animal was impounded, with the owner separately liable under section 6-12-060 for impoundment and boarding fees.