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Larimer County, CO Animal Ordinances: Pet Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Care standard
Food, water, shelter, vet care
Quantity
Only what stays healthy
Improper care
$100 first-offense penalty
Impoundment
Allowed under Sec. 6-104
Severe cases
C.R.S. 18-9-202 cruelty

Summary

Larimer County addresses hoarding through its pet-quantity and care standards. Sec. 6-80 requires proper food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, and Sec. 6-81 limits animals to the number that can be kept healthy. Severe cases are prosecuted under Colorado cruelty law C.R.S. 18-9-202.

City-specific rules exist: Fort Collins has its own pet limits rules that differ from Larimer County's county-level regulations. If you live in Fort Collins, check the city-specific page instead.

No owner or keeper of a pet animal shall fail to provide that pet animal with sufficient good and wholesome food and water, proper shelter and protection from the weather, veterinary care, when necessary, and such other care as is customary and necessary for the pet animal's health and well-being.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Larimer County has no ordinance using the word "hoarding," but two provisions cover it. Sec. 6-80 requires every pet owner to provide sufficient wholesome food and water, proper shelter, weather protection, and necessary veterinary care, and bars abandonment or abuse. Sec. 6-81 caps the number of pets at what can be maintained in a healthy condition without a health or safety hazard or nuisance. Animals kept in violation of Sec. 6-80 may be impounded and withheld from the owner under Sec. 6-104. Serious neglect escalates to criminal animal cruelty under Colorado law, C.R.S. 18-9-202, which the Larimer County District Attorney and Humane Society investigators can pursue.

Violations & Fines

Improper-care violations (Sec. 6-80) carry a $100 first-offense penalty and possible impoundment; criminal animal cruelty under C.R.S. 18-9-202 is a misdemeanor that can rise to a felony for aggravated or repeat cruelty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Larimer County have an anti-hoarding law?
Not by name. Hoarding is handled through Sec. 6-80 (proper care) and Sec. 6-81 (pet quantity), plus Colorado's criminal cruelty statute for serious neglect.
What happens to neglected animals?
They may be impounded under Sec. 6-104 and not returned to the owner. Aggravated or repeat neglect can be charged as animal cruelty under C.R.S. 18-9-202.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Larimer County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSome RestrictionsExotic PetsSome RestrictionsWildlife FeedingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Larimer County rules

Compare Larimer County to another location·View the Colorado animal ordinances overview

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Pet Limits in Cities Across Larimer County

Fort Collins, COLoveland, CO