Colorado Dog Bite Laws

Colorado’s dog bite statute, Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-21-124, imposes strict liability upon dog owners under certain circumstances. The victim of a dog bite may recover economic damages only (such as medical bills and lost wages) if they can prove that the bite occurred when they were lawfully on public or private property and they suffered serious bodily injury or death as a result of the bite. Colorado does not require any evidence that the owner knew the dog could be dangerous, or that the owner was negligent. The statute contains a few exceptions where the owner would not be held liable. These include situations where, at the time of the bite: (1) the victim was provoking the dog, (2) the victim was trespassing, or (3) or the victim was on the owner’s property, which was clearly marked with a warning sign stating “No Trespassing” or “Beware of Dog.” 

Although Colorado limits dog bite victims to economic damages under their strict liability statute, victims can recover noneconomic damages (such as pain and suffering) by proving that the owner was negligent. A negligence claim requires the victim to prove that the owner owed them a duty (here, a duty to exercise reasonable care in keeping the dog under its control), the owner breached that duty, and their injuries were proximately caused by this breach.