Loveland, CO Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)

Under Colorado Parks & Wildlife rules implementing CRS Title 33 (Parks & Wildlife), it is illegal to intentionally place or distribute feed, salt, mineral blocks, or other attractants for big-game wildlife — deer, elk, pronghorn, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and bears — anywhere in Colorado. Violations carry a $100 fine and may add wildlife-license-suspension points. CRS § 33-6-131 separately criminalizes 'knowingly luring' a bear. (Colorado HB 25-1342, introduced by Sen. Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, would lower the standard from 'intentional' to 'careless' for bear-luring enforcement.) Loveland sits in Front Range bear and mountain-lion country, especially on the west side toward the foothills and Big Thompson Canyon. Trash accounts for about 67% of human-bear conflicts statewide; bird feeders, unsecured garbage, pet food bowls, fruit trees, and compost piles are the top attractants. Colorado Parks & Wildlife advises removing bird feeders during non-winter months and using bear-resistant trash containers in foothill neighborhoods. Unlike Estes Park or unincorporated Larimer County's Estes Valley Planning Area (which has a county Wildlife Protection Ordinance requiring wildlife-resistant containers since Sept. 1, 2017), the City of Loveland has not enacted a citywide bear-resistant trash ordinance — Loveland is outside the Estes Valley Planning Area. Loveland also discourages feeding waterfowl in city parks. Report sick or aggressive wildlife to Colorado Parks & Wildlife Northeast Region in Fort Collins at (970) 472-4300.