DENVER PITBULL FACTS – Breed Specific Legislation
Denver residents voted November 3, 2020, to repeal the pit bull ban. Under Denver’s Ordinance Sec. 8-67, pit bull breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, or Staffordshire Bull Terrier) are prohibited, unless they have been issued a provisional Breed-Restricted Permit.
This means that Denver residents may not own or keep a pit bull within the city without first obtaining a Breed-Restricted Permit from Denver Animal Protection (DAP).
Pit bull-type dogs are defined as any dog displaying a majority of physical traits of any one or more of the specific breeds mentioned above, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing (physical) characteristics, which substantially conform to the standards established by American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club.
Although the ordinance will not be officially amended until January 1, 2021, DAP has established an initial Breed-Restricted Permitting Process based on the amended language of the ordinance voted into law to help pit bull owners plan for the changes. It is the responsibility of any new owner of an adopted breed-restricted animal to contact DAP to initiate the provisional permitting process.
Please note that there is an FAQ for additional questions that appears on the website referenced above.
Breed-Restricted Permitting Process
Starting January 1, 2021, all pit bull owners and adopters must contact Denver Animal Protection to schedule an appointment for a breed-restricted assessment. Assessments will take 30-45 minutes and will be conducted by Denver Animal Protection (DAP) at the Denver Animal Shelter. The assessment fee is $25 per dog and is non-refundable. No owner or keeper of any pit bull may own or keep more than two (2) pit bulls per household.
Through the assessment process, if your dog is determined not to have a majority of the physical characteristics of the banned breeds, the dog will be allowed in Denver without a permit. The owner will be provided with an official breed evaluation letter stating that the dog was evaluated by Denver Animal Protection. Assessment fees are non-refundable. All dogs in Denver are required to have a rabies vaccination and city license (your 2BABR pet will already be spayed or neutered prior to adoption and will have been microchipped).
If through the assessment process, your dog is determined to have a majority of the physical characteristics of the banned breeds, you will need to follow the application process for obtaining a Breed-Restricted Permit.
The application process for a Breed-Restricted Permit to own or keep a pit bull will require the following:
Name and address of the owner or keeper where the pit bull will be located
The names and addresses of two (2) people who may be contacted in the event of an emergency involving the pit bull
An accurate description of the pit bull and recent photograph
The payment of the $30 Breed-Restricted Permit fee (this is in addition to the $25 assessment fee)
Proof that the animal has been neutered or spayed
Proof that the animal has had a registered microchip implanted
Proof that the animal has a current rabies vaccination
Proof that the animal has a city license
Any other information that DAP reasonably requires
The fee for the permit is $30 per animal, and it must be renewed every year for three (3) years (at $30 per animal per year). If there are no violations* within that time period, Breed-Restricted Permit holders may request to be removed from Breed-Restricted requirements.
*Examples of potential violations include, but are not limited to:
Off-leash charge
Lapsed permit charge
Excrement charge
Bite charge
Excessive barking charge
Potentially dangerous animal/dangerous animal charge
Each violation results in a resetting of the three-year time period, or other consequences. In order to reapply for a Breed-Restricted Permit, owners and keepers must show proof that the violation has been corrected.
In addition to the Breed-Restricted Permit, each and every dog and cat living within the City and County of Denver is required to have a license ($15 per animal annually, or $40 for three years) purchased at the time of receiving the Breed-Restricted Permit.
Denver Animal Shelter
1241 West Bayaud Avenue
Denver, CO 80223
Link to schedule a pit bull assessment online (copy and paste): https://denvergov.org/naoa/
Link to apply for a Pet License in the City and County of Denver (copy and paste): https://denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-animal-shelter/pet-services/pet-licensing.html