Colorado is a "fence-out" state. Under C.R.S. 35-46, a landowner must build a lawful fence to recover damages when livestock stray onto their land. Livestock owners are liable if animals graze at large in town or on roads behind an adequate fence.
Colorado follows open-range (fence-out) rules in Title 35, Article 46. C.R.S. 35-46-102 lets a person who maintains a "lawful fence" recover damages when someone else's livestock break through it, but denies recovery if the crops were not protected by such a fence. A lawful fence is defined in 35-46-101 as a well-constructed three-barbed-wire fence with substantial posts about twenty feet apart. C.R.S. 35-46-105 makes it unlawful to knowingly let livestock graze or run at large in any municipality, road, or highway that is fenced off from the owner's range. Larimer County Code Sec. 6-1 defines livestock as cattle, horses, sheep, poultry, swine, llamas, goats, and similar working farm animals.
Knowingly permitting livestock to graze or run at large in a municipality or on a fenced-off road is a civil infraction under C.R.S. 35-46-105; state troopers and sheriffs must charge violators.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins prohibits storing abandoned, inoperable, or unregistered vehicles on public streets or visible on private property. Vehicles may be tagged and t...
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins regulates electric vehicle charging infrastructure for residential and commercial properties. Building codes may require EV-ready parking in new...
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins regulates overnight parking on public streets. Many areas restrict parking between certain hours or require permits for overnight street parking.
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins requires permits for retaining walls above a certain height, typically 4 feet. Engineering review may be required for taller walls.
Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins may have wildfire hazard zones requiring defensible space around structures, fire-resistant building materials, and vegetation management.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Larimer County.
See how Fort Collins's livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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