Colorado Dog Bite Laws

Dog attacks in Colorado have produced some of the most serious injuries our attorneys have seen. Colorado law gives victims a strong foundation to hold owners accountable, and our attorneys are here to help you use it. If you or someone you love was injured by a dog in Colorado, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our Colorado dog bite lawyers handle cases across the state on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we win.

Call 866-592-4837 or book a free consultation online. We are available 24/7.

The Full Scope of Damages You Can Claim

Colorado law allows dog bite victims to pursue compensation across multiple categories.

Economic damages cover every measurable financial loss tied to the attack:

• Emergency treatment, hospitalization, and surgery
• Reconstructive or plastic surgery for scarring and disfigurement
• Ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
• Future medical costs if your injuries require long-term treatment
• Lost income while you were unable to work
• Loss of future earning capacity if the attack has permanently affected your ability to do your job

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not show up on a bill but are just as real:

• Physical pain and suffering during and after the attack
• Emotional distress, including anxiety, PTSD, and recurring nightmares
• Lasting fear responses, particularly common in children
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement, especially in visible areas
• Loss of enjoyment of activities the injury has taken away
• Loss of consortium when the attack disrupts your marriage or family relationships

When the victim is a child, parents or guardians may file on their behalf. Settlements involving minors tend to be higher, accounting for the long-term physical and emotional impact that can follow a child for decades.

Punitive damages apply in cases of extreme recklessness, such as an owner who kept a dangerous dog without precautions or allowed an aggressive animal to roam unsupervised after prior incidents. They are not awarded in every case, but when they are, they can substantially increase your total recovery.

Our attorneys have taken over $1M in individual dog bite settlements, including a $505,000 result for a facial bite and a $295,000 recovery for a three-year-old victim. Use our dog bite settlement calculator to get a read on your case value.

Protecting Your Claim From Day One

What you do immediately after an attack has a direct impact on what you can recover.

• Seek medical care right away. Even injuries that look manageable can worsen quickly. Medical records created at the time of the attack are the foundation of your claim.
• Report the attack to animal control. Colorado law requires dog bites to be reported, and that official record becomes part of your case file.
• Photograph everything before treatment if possible: your injuries, the location, whether the dog was leashed or contained, and any warning signs the owner had posted.
• Get the owner’s full details: name, address, and proof of current rabies vaccination for the dog.
• Collect witness information. Bystander accounts carry real weight when the owner disputes what happened.
• Do not speak to the owner’s insurer. Adjusters look for anything they can use to reduce or deny your claim. Let your attorney handle all communication.
• Talk to a Colorado dog bite lawyer before accepting any offer. Early settlements routinely undervalue what victims are owed. Once you sign, the claim is closed.

Your Window to File a Lawsuit in Colorado

Colorado gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-102.

For minors, the clock typically starts on their 18th birthday rather than the date of the bite.

Two years moves faster than people expect. Building a strong case requires gathering medical records, identifying insurance coverage, confirming every liable party, and calculating the full cost of long-term injuries. The earlier you involve an attorney, the stronger your position.

Miss the deadline and your right to recover is almost certainly gone.

Who Pays and How It Works

Most Colorado dog bite settlements are funded through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy. Personal liability coverage on standard policies typically falls between $100,000 and $300,000, and applies even when the attack happens away from the insured property. If the attack occurred at a rental, the landlord’s policy may also be relevant.

Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to pay out as little as possible. They may argue the bite was provoked, challenge your medical records, or dispute how the attack unfolded. Having an attorney manage every interaction with the insurer protects your claim from being settled for far less than it is worth.

Colorado’s Dog Bite Law: A Strong Foundation for Your Case

Colorado is a strict liability state for dog bites.

Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-102, a dog’s owner is liable for damages if their dog bites someone who was in a public place or lawfully on private property at the time of the attack. The law applies regardless of the dog’s history. There is no free pass for a first bite.

There are two things to establish:

1. You were bitten by the dog
2. You were lawfully present where the attack occurred

You do not need to prove the owner was negligent. You do not need a record of prior aggression. The law places the burden squarely on the owner.

Who the Statute Covers

Colorado’s strict liability law protects a broad range of people:

• Guests invited to a home, even informally
• Delivery drivers, postal workers, and couriers
• Utility workers, contractors, and service providers
• Anyone using a public sidewalk, park, or shared space

Trespassers are generally excluded, though other legal theories may still support a claim depending on the circumstances.

The Defenses Owners Raise and How We Handle Them

Provocation is the most common argument. Owners and insurers often claim the victim triggered the attack. Under Colorado law, provocation must be intentional and meaningful. A child reaching out to pet a dog, a jogger passing a yard, or a visitor making an unexpected movement does not meet that standard. We document the full context of every attack to make this defense difficult to sustain.

Trespassing is the second line of defense. If the owner can show the victim had no lawful right to be on the property, the strict liability statute may not apply. Establishing lawful presence is a core part of how we build every claim.

Comparative fault also comes into play. Colorado follows a modified comparative fault rule. If a victim is found more than 50% responsible, they cannot recover. Below that threshold, recovery is reduced by the victim’s share of fault. Insurers routinely overstate victim fault to cut payouts. Thorough documentation is the most effective counter.

Everyone Who Can Be Held Accountable

The registered owner is the starting point, but liability does not always stop there.

• A landlord who allowed a dangerous dog to remain on their property despite knowing the risk can face liability.
• A dog sitter, walker, or handler who had physical control of the animal at the time of the attack may also be responsible.
• A business owner who permitted a dog on the premises is not automatically exempt.

Our attorneys examine every party connected to the incident. Identifying all liable parties is often what separates a partial recovery from a full one.

The Dog Bite Problem in Colorado: What the Data Shows

Colorado consistently ranks among states with elevated rates of dog bite incidents. Denver appeared in national USPS dog attack city rankings, and the broader Front Range, with its high density of dog ownership and active outdoor culture, sees a significant number of serious attacks each year.

Nationally, approximately 800,000 people require medical attention for dog bites annually. Children are the most frequently injured group, followed by older adults. Severe maulings in residential neighborhoods, attacks on people during routine tasks, and fatal incidents involving children have all occurred in Colorado.

A 7-year-old boy was fatally attacked by a dog inside his own home in Gunnison, with officers arriving to find the assault still in progress. In Aurora, a 57-year-old woman was mauled by three dogs while cleaning her yard, suffering severe injuries to her face, arms, legs, and abdomen, with the possibility of losing her vision and her left leg. In west Denver, four rottweilers attacked a woman taking out her trash, leaving her and two other victims hospitalized. In each case, neighbors had to physically intervene to stop the attack.

Breed-specific policies remain contested, but owner liability under Colorado law does not change based on breed. Dog attacks happen in small mountain towns, suburban developments, and city streets. No community in Colorado is immune.

Why Colorado Victims Trust Dog Bite Laws

Dog Bite Laws is led by Michael Agruss, Managing Partner and personal injury attorney with a documented record in dog bite cases across multiple states. He works alongside Michael Bertucci, Taylor Kosla Unterberg, and Zara Saiyed, a team with the experience to handle complex, high-value dog bite claims.

The approach is straightforward: identify every liable party, document every category of loss, and push for the strongest possible outcome before considering trial. We have recovered millions of dollars in doing so.

No upfront fees. No hourly charges. No costs of any kind unless we recover compensation for you.

Read our testimonials or contact us to schedule your free, confidential case review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to show the dog had a history of aggression?

No. Colorado’s strict liability statute under CRS § 13-21-124 removes that requirement entirely. Owners are liable for the very first bite, regardless of the dog’s prior behavior or the owner’s awareness of any risk.

What if I share some of the blame for what happened?

You can still recover as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. Colorado uses a modified comparative fault standard, so your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you are found 30% at fault, you recover 70% of your total damages. Legal representation ensures that number is calculated accurately.

Can I file a claim if the attack happened on someone’s private property?

Yes, provided you were lawfully present. Invited guests, service workers, delivery drivers, and anyone with a legitimate reason to be there are protected. Trespassers face a higher legal bar, though a claim may still be possible depending on the circumstances.

Does Dog Bite Laws take Colorado cases on contingency?

Yes. You owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. No retainer, no hourly fees, no out-of-pocket costs at any point in the process.

What happens if I’m bitten while hiking or on a trail in Colorado?

Colorado’s strict liability law still applies on public trails and outdoor spaces. If you were lawfully on the trail and a dog bit you, the owner is typically responsible, even in off-leash recreation areas.

Can I file a claim if a dog bites me at a ski resort or mountain town in Colorado?

Yes. Ski resorts and mountain communities follow the same statewide law. If the dog owner allowed the animal in a public or shared space and it bit you, they can be held liable. In some cases, the property owner may also share responsibility.

What if I was bitten by a dog in an off-leash dog park in Colorado?

You may still have a claim, but these cases can be more complex. Owners are still responsible for controlling their dogs, but comparative fault may be considered depending on how the incident occurred.

Can I sue if a dog bites me while I’m running or biking in Colorado?

Yes. Activities like running or biking are not considered provocation. As long as you were lawfully in the area, the owner is typically responsible under strict liability.

What if the dog bite happened at an Airbnb or vacation rental in Colorado?

You may have claims against both the dog owner and the property owner. If the host knew a dangerous dog was present and failed to warn guests or remove the risk, they may share liability.

Can I file a claim if I was bitten while visiting a friend’s home in Colorado?

Yes. You are protected as a lawful guest. Most claims are handled through homeowners insurance, which helps preserve personal relationships while still allowing you to recover compensation.

What if I was bitten by a dog while working in Colorado?

If you were a delivery driver, contractor, or service worker, you are considered lawfully present. You may have both a personal injury claim and a workers’ compensation claim depending on your situation.

Can I recover damages if the bite caused long-term fear or PTSD?

Yes. Colorado allows recovery for emotional distress, including PTSD and lasting psychological effects, especially in severe attacks or cases involving children.

What if a dog bites me inside a business in Colorado?

The dog owner is typically responsible, but the business may also be liable if they allowed the dog on the premises or failed to maintain a safe environment for customers.

What if I don’t know who owns the dog that bit me?

You should report the incident immediately to animal control. Colorado law requires reporting, and authorities can help identify the owner, which is critical for your claim.

Can I file a claim if the dog bite happened in my own neighborhood?

Yes. Many attacks happen in residential areas. If the dog was not properly restrained or escaped from a yard, the owner can be held responsible.

What if the dog owner says I trespassed?

Trespassing can affect your claim, but many people are legally allowed to be on property without explicit permission, such as delivery drivers or neighbors approaching a front door. Establishing lawful presence is key.

Can I file a claim if I was bitten while trying to break up a dog fight?

Possibly. These cases depend on whether your actions are considered reasonable. Colorado’s comparative fault rules may reduce compensation, but they do not automatically bar recovery.

What if the dog bite caused permanent scarring or disfigurement?

You can pursue compensation for both medical treatment and long-term impact, including visible scarring, which often increases settlement value significantly.

What happens if a dog bites my child at a park or school in Colorado?

Parents can file a claim on behalf of the child. Liability may extend beyond the dog owner to schools or supervising parties if they failed to prevent the incident.