Animal Ordinances in Pueblo, CO

If you live in Pueblo or are thinking about moving there, animal ordinances are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Pueblo has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of animal ordinances, and some of them might surprise you.

Breed Restrictions

Pueblo has no breed ban: dogs are declared 'dangerous' or 'potentially dangerous' based on bite history and behavior, triggering mandatory muzzling, six-foot escape-proof enclosures, and a special license under Pueblo Municipal Code § 11-4-14.

Key details: Dangerous animal: Class 1 offense. Potentially dangerous: Class 2 offense. Enclosure height: 6 ft minimum. Public leash length: 4 ft max. Microchip fee: $50 nonrefundable.

Owning a declared dangerous animal is a Class 1 municipal offense; owning a potentially dangerous animal is Class 2; violating a court protective order afterward is a strict-liability offense.

This is one of the stricter rules in Pueblo's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Cat Rules

Only a City-appointed Feral Cat Colony Manager may legally feed a feral cat or colony in Pueblo, Colorado: anyone else doing so commits a Class 2 municipal offense.

Key details: Who may feed ferals: appointed Colony Manager only. Offense class: Class 2 municipal offense. Manager duties: trap, vaccinate, spay/neuter colony. Cattery-cap exemption: for compliant Colony Managers.

Feeding a feral cat or colony without being an appointed Colony Manager is a Class 2 municipal offense, enforced by the Shelter Operator and Animal Control Officers.

Compared to other cities, Pueblo takes a harder line on cat rules. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Chickens & Livestock

Pueblo caps residential flocks at 10 standard or 10 bantam chickens over 4 months old, requires coops 8 to 50 feet from property lines and neighboring homes, and limits pet-kept fowl to 2 units under § 11-4-32.

Key details: Standard chicken cap: 10 over 4 months old. Coop setback: 8 ft enclosed / 15 ft open. Dwelling setback: 50 ft from neighbor's home. Pet-only cap: 2 units per household. Ag-zoned land: Caps don't apply.

Exceeding the chicken, pigeon, or small-animal caps, or placing a coop closer than the required setback, is a declared nuisance and municipal offense under § 11-4-32.

Beekeeping

Pueblo exempts honeybees from its wild-animal nuisance ban only up to two beehives per property, with each hive capped at one colony and one queen.

Key details: Hive limit: two beehives per property. Colony limit: one colony, one queen per hive. Over limit: treated as a nuisance animal. Offense class: Class 2 municipal offense.

Keeping honeybees beyond the two-beehive-per-property limit makes them a prohibited 'wild or dangerous animal,' a nuisance and Class 2 municipal offense under Section 11-1-405(c)(1).

Pet Limits

Pueblo caps households at four dogs, four cats, or eight animals total: beyond that you need a kennel, cattery, or multiple animal license from the Health Department.

Key details: Dog limit: 4 dogs without kennel license. Cat limit: 4 cats without cattery license. Total animal cap: 8 animals without multiple license. Neighbor petition needed: 75% within 300 feet. Renewal fee: $45 per year.

Exceeding the limit without a license is a municipal offense and a declared nuisance, enforced by Animal Control Officers under Pueblo Municipal Code Chapter 4.

Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Pueblo doesn't require pet owners citywide to alter their animals, but under § 11-4-16(c) any animal adopted from the Pueblo Animal Shelter must be spayed or neutered before release, or the adopter must agree to do it within 30 days.

Key details: Scope: Shelter-adopted animals only. Compliance window: 30 days if by agreement. Violation: Class 2 municipal offense. General pet owners: Not required to alter.

Signing an adoption spay/neuter agreement and then failing to complete the procedure, or failing to file proof within 30 days, is a Class 2 municipal offense under § 11-4-16(c)(2).

Exotic Pets

Pueblo bans keeping wild animals, venomous snakes, and constricting snakes over 12 feet as pets citywide, plus livestock like hogs, sheep, horses, cattle, and goats, outside a public zoo or agriculturally zoned land, under § 11-4-33(a).

Key details: Snake limit: Constrictors over 12 ft banned. Livestock: Banned unless ag-zoned land. Exception: Public zoos only. Pot-bellied pig carve-out: 2 max, under 100 lb.

Keeping a banned wild animal, venomous snake, or oversized constrictor is a nuisance and municipal offense; the Mayor may order impoundment or humane euthanasia if it's a safety hazard.

This is one of the stricter rules in Pueblo's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Dog Leash Laws

Pueblo Municipal Code § 11-4-15(a) makes it a strict-liability offense to let a dog or other animal, except cats, run at large, meaning off the owner's property and not under leash, cord, or chain control.

Key details: Offense type: Strict liability. Applies to: Dogs & other animals, not cats. Off-leash exception: City dog parks only. Enforcement: Impound without warrant.

Running a dog or other animal at large is a strict-liability offense; officers may impound without a warrant, and the owner pays all impound, boarding, and veterinary costs.

The Bottom Line

Pueblo is tougher than many cities when it comes to animal ordinances. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Pueblo, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Pueblo's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.