Animal Ordinances in Larimer County, CO (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Larimer County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
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.
Livestock and Colorado's Open-Range Fence Law
Some RestrictionsC.R.S. § 35-46-102(1)
Any person maintaining in good repair a lawful fence, as described in section 35-46-101, may recover damages for trespass and injury to grass, garden or vegetable products, or other crops of such person from the owner of any livestock which break through such fence.
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Larimer County all dogs must be kept under restraint; it is unlawful to let a dog run at large. A leash means a tether no more than six feet long, held by a person.
Larimer County Dog Leash and At-Large Rules
Some RestrictionsLarimer County Code § 6-76(a)
All dogs shall be kept under restraint. It shall be unlawful for the owner or keeper of any dog to permit such dog to be at large in the county.
Breed Restrictions
Larimer County and Fort Collins have no breed-specific dog bans. Colorado state law, C.R.S. 18-9-204.5(5), lets counties and cities regulate dangerous dogs but forbids any rule that targets a specific breed.
No Breed Bans: Colorado Preempts Breed-Specific Dog Laws
Some RestrictionsC.R.S. § 18-9-204.5(5)(a)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a municipality from adopting any rule or law for the control of dangerous dogs; except that any such rule or law shall not regulate dangerous dogs in a manner that is specific to breed.
Exotic Pets
Larimer County Code Sec. 6-83 bars keeping or feeding any wild or exotic animal that requires a state license unless you hold the proper permit from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Bears, non-domestic cats, venomous reptiles, and primates are listed.
Wild and Exotic Animals in Larimer County
Some RestrictionsLarimer County Code § 6-83(a)
No person shall own, keep or feed any wild or exotic animal for which a state license is required unless such person possesses the appropriate license from the state division of wildlife including without limitation the following: Bears; Any species of feline other than ordinary domesticated house cats.
Wildlife Feeding
Feeding wild ducks and geese is prohibited in unincorporated Larimer County after a written warning. Feeding bears and other wildlife is discouraged, and the county's Wildlife Protection Ordinance requires bear-resistant trash storage in designated areas.
Feeding Wildlife in Larimer County
Some RestrictionsLarimer County Code § 6-83(d)
No person shall be subject to prosecution ... unless, within one year immediately preceding the date of the alleged violation, such person has been issued a written warning stating that the feeding of wild geese or ducks at the same approximate location ... has been determined to constitute a public health and safety concern and that such feeding is prohibited.
Pet Limits
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.
Animal Hoarding and Care Standards in Larimer County
Some RestrictionsLarimer County Code § 6-80(a)
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.
Cat Rules
Cats do not have to be licensed or leashed in unincorporated Larimer County, but every cat four months or older must be vaccinated against rabies. Cats that become a public nuisance are subject to the animal code.
Cat Rules in Larimer County
Some RestrictionsLarimer County Code § 6-51(a)
The owner of each dog or cat which is four months of age or older shall cause said dog or cat to be vaccinated against rabies. Such vaccination shall be repeated thereafter as required by the serum.
Animal Ordinances by City in Larimer County
2 cities in Larimer County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Larimer County ordinances
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