Are pitbulls illegal in Denver?

Author

Andrew Walker

Published Mar 07, 2026

Are pitbulls illegal in Denver?

Under Denver's Ordinance Sec. 8-67, pit bull breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier) are banned in the City and County of Denver.

Likewise, people ask, why are pitbulls banned in Denver?

The City and County of Denver passed the ban in 1989 after two attacks resulting in death and serious injury. According to the proposal, a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association has found pit bulls are not disproportionately dangerous compared with other dogs.

One may also ask, how many pit bulls were killed in Denver? In 2005 and 2006, Denver put 1,453 pit bulls to death. City staff only had euthanization numbers back to 2002. But by applying the impound/euthanization rate to the previous ten years, we estimate that at least 3,497 pit bulls have been euthanized under Denver's ban.

Likewise, people ask, are pitbulls illegal in Colorado?

American pitbull terrier, such as the one pictured above, are banned in the City and County of Denver, Aurora, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Fort Lupton, Lone Tree, Louisville and the Town of Simla.

What dogs are banned in Colorado?

American pit bull terriers.
American Staffordshire terriers.
Staffordshire bull terriers.

What happens if you have a pitbull in Denver?

If the dog is found to be a pit bull, it shall be destroyed, unless the owner produces evidence deemed sufficient by the manager that the pit bull is to be permanently taken out of Denver and the owner pays the cost of impoundment. If the dog is found not to be a pit bull, the dog shall be released to the owner.

Can I walk my pitbull in Denver?

It's the law: Even gentle, well-behaved and well-trained dogs are required to remain on a leash and under the control of their owners in public spaces.

Did Denver lift the pitbull ban?

The pit bull ban in Denver was repealed Monday night. Denver City Council voted 7-4 on the amendment, lifting a 30-year ban on the breed. The new ordinance still has to be signed into law by the mayor. Under the new law, there would still be a few restrictions on pit bulls.

Why are pit bulls so aggressive?

Some pit bulls were selected and bred for their fighting ability. That means that they may be more likely than other breeds to fight with dogs. Research on pet dogs confirms that dog aggressive dogs are no more likely to direct aggression toward people than dogs that aren't aggressive to other dogs.

Are rescue pit bulls safe?

“There is not any breed of dog that is inherently more dangerous,” said Marcy Setter of the Pit Bull Rescue Center. “That's simply not true.” But critics say that pit bulls are inherently dangerous no matter how they're treated, because violence is in their DNA.

Where are pit bulls banned in the US?

Many cities, including the largest US public housing authority in New York City, ban pit bulls through Housing Authorities. All military bases in the United States ban pit bulls. The extent of BSL can be clearly seen in this tri-state map of pit bull bans in Iowa, Kansas and Missouri.

What cities are pit bulls banned in Colorado?

American pitbull terrier, such as the one pictured above, are banned in the City and County of Denver, Aurora, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Fort Lupton, Lone Tree, Louisville and the Town of Simla.

Are pit bulls the most dangerous dog breed?

Pictured are the two most deadly dog breeds in America: pit bull terriers and rottweilers. It is important to point out that since 2005, pit bulls and their mixes have inflicted fatal dog attacks at over six times the rate as rottweilers.

How can I get a pitbull in Denver?

Under the new proposal, owners would have been required to apply for breed-restricted licenses, register their pit bulls with Denver Animal Protection and provide proof that the dogs have been microchipped, received rabies vaccinations and been spayed or neutered.

Can I own a pitbull in Colorado?

Here are a few laws in Colorado that dog owners should know about: Lone Tree bans all "fighting breeds" including pit bulls, American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentinos, Canary Dogs, Presa Mallorquins, Tosa Inus, Cane, Corsos, and Fila Brasilairos.

Are pit bull dogs smart?

Pit bulls, as a group, are intelligent dogs, soft to their owners and relatively easy to train as they are eager to please their owners. With all phases of training, praise is a key element when it comes to the pit bull.

Can you own a pitbull in Colorado?

In certain areas of Colorado, it is illegal to own a pit bull or other breeds.

What cities and states ban pit bulls?

These are the 10 states that have the most cities banning dog breeds.

Iowa. Rottweilers are subject to breed bans.
Kansas. Doberman pinschers face bans.
Ohio. Pit bulls have it hard in Ohio.
Missouri. Pilot Grove, Missouri, bans chow chows, among other breeds.
Wisconsin.
Mississippi.
Arkansas.
Michigan.

What dogs are illegal in Denver?

Under Denver's Ordinance Sec. 8-67, pit bull breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier) are banned in the City and County of Denver.

Are pit bulls allowed in Parker Co?

Parker and unincorporated Douglas County do not have breed-specific bans. The term “pit bull” does not refer to one breed, but rather comprises several breeds. Breeds often associated with pit bulls include the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier and the American pit bull terrier.

Are pit bulls allowed in Westminster CO?

The posted rules at the park specifically prohibit “aggressive dogs” from entering the area. However, Westminster does not specifically ban pit bulls from city limits.

Are pit bulls allowed in Golden CO?

These cities ban pit bulls: Aurora, Commerce City, Denver, Fort Lupton, La Junta, Louisville. Lone Tree bans all "fighting breeds" including pit bulls, American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentinos, Canary Dogs, Presa Mallorquins, Tosa Inus, Cane, Corsos, and Fila Brasilairos.

Why are pit bulls banned in Denver?

The City and County of Denver passed the ban in 1989 after two attacks resulting in death and serious injury. According to the proposal, a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association has found pit bulls are not disproportionately dangerous compared with other dogs.

Are pit bulls dangerous?

Pit bulls join several other breeds on the list of dogs that are recognized as more likely to attack and cause significant injury: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data and found the following breeds are implicated in a majority of dog-bite fatalities: Pit bulls.

Are Rottweilers banned in Denver?

In Denver, dogs over six months old are required to be sterilized unless their owners buy a permit each year. Lone Tree bans all "fighting breeds" including pit bulls, American Bulldogs, Dogo Argentinos, Canary Dogs, Presa Mallorquins, Tosa Inus, Cane, Corsos, and Fila Brasilairos.

Why are pitbulls illegal in Denver Colorado?

The City and County of Denver passed the ban in 1989 after two attacks resulting in death and serious injury. According to the proposal, a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association has found pit bulls are not disproportionately dangerous compared with other dogs.

Are pit bulls banned in Boulder CO?

Boulder has no breed specific ban and during this period of time the population of Denver was less than twice that of Boulder's. Aurora banned the breeds in 2006 and has shown no decrease in dog bite incidents and of those incidents, the majority involve non-pit bull breeds.

Does Denver have BSL?

In Denver, BSL is commonly referred to as the “pit bull ban” because it specifically prohibits the ownership of dogs that are thought to be “pit bulls” based on appearance.

Can I bury my dog in the backyard in Colorado?

In Colorado, depending on where you live, residents are allowed to bury a loved one on their private property. But there are restrictions in doing so, such as lot size, closeness to water and how deep a body can be buried. Still, it's an option as long as you meet certain criteria.

Are pitbulls illegal Aurora?

On Oct. 24, 2005, the Aurora City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the following breeds of dogs and/or any dog exhibiting the majority of distinguishing characteristics that substantially conform to the standards for any of these breeds as set by the American Kennel Club (AKC): American Pit Bull Terrier.

Do you need a dog license in Colorado?

All dogs and cats over the age of 4 months must be licensed. Licenses for service animals are free. All dogs and cats over the age of 4 months must be licensed. Licenses for service animals are free.

Are pit bulls allowed in Lakewood CO?

Lakewood Ends Pit Bull Ban. Lakewood residents are now allowed to own pit bulls. Mayor Michael Summers introduced the new legislation. That means the new ordinance will NOT be breed specific and in 6 days, it will go into effect.

Why are pitbulls banned?

Both the ownership and breeding of pit bulls is banned in the UK due to the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991. In 1991 the Government decided to ban pit bulls in response to a slew of incidents involving vicious, often unprovoked attacks, by this particular breed of dog, on humans.

What animals are illegal to own in Colorado?

Colorado. The Colorado Wildlife Act does not allow you to keep most exotic animals as pets; this includes wildebeest, wild hogs, raccoon, skunk, hedgehog, opossum, squirrels, porcupines monk parakeets, and primates. You can keep some native reptiles.

How common are pit bulls?

When compared to other breeds commonly considered as "strong breeds", pitbull-type dogs are by far the most popular strong breed dogs at around 20% of the total U.S. dog population.

How many dogs can you legally own in Colorado?

No more than three domestic pets over the age of six months are allowed in most residential zone districts. Most agricultural zoned areas allow four domestic pets over the age of six months.

How many dogs can you have in Denver?

Too many animals

The Denver Zoning Code regulates how many household pets can be part of a home residence. Violations occur when the number of household pets exceeds 2 rabbits, 25 pigeons, 2 domestic honey bee hives, or more than 5 dogs and cats combined (you cannot have more than 3 dogs as part of the combined total).

Continue Reading

What are the differences between job application letters and job offer letters?

Does partitioning a hard drive improve performance?

What is Walmart DSV?

Are pitbulls illegal in Denver?