Dog Laws In Colorado

Colorado imposes liability on dog owners for economic damages for dog bites resulting in serious injury or death to a person lawfully on public or private property regardless of the owner’s negligence or fault.

“Dog owner” means a person, firm, corporation, or organization owning, possessing, harboring, keeping, having financial or property interest in, or having control or custody of, a dog.

“Economic damages” include current and future medical or rehabilitation bills, medications, current and future lost wages, loss of earning power and other injury-related costs.

“Serious bodily injury” is defined as injuries involving substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of any part or organ of the body, or bone breaks or fractures.

This liability for economic damages applies even if the dog owner did not know of a dog’s propensity for dangerousness, or the dog never bit anyone before. The following are exceptions to this general rule:

1. The injured person is not lawfully on public or private land;
2. The injured person is injured on dog owner’s property that is clearly marked with one or more signs that state “No Trespassing,” or “Beware of Dog;”
3. Where a dog is actively working for police or military entities in the performance of its police or military duties;
4. When the injured person knowingly provoked or incited the dog;
5. If the injured person is a veterinary worker, canine groomer, dog handler, trainer, or dog show judge acting in the performance of their respective duties;
6. If the injury occurs while a dog is working as a hunting, herding, farm or ranch dog, or is working as predator control dog under the control of the dog’s owner.

Colorado also allows recovery for injuries from dog bites resulting from a dog owner’s negligence. Where negligence is proven, an injured person may recover damages for injuries caused by a dog bite and/or in a manner other than a bite, such as a knockdown.

In addition, where a dog owner’s negligence is proven to have caused injury to a person, the injured person may recover both economic, and non-economic damages.

Non-economic damages include physical and mental pain and suffering, loss of spousal consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental or psychological harm.

STATUTE OF LIMITATION:

In Colorado, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of injury. This means you must file a lawsuit against the owner/keeper of the dog within that time, or you will be forever time barred from pursuing a case.

LAW REFERENCE:

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-124