Under PACFA (Title 35, Article 80 of the Colorado Revised Statutes), any “pet animal facility”, which includes commercial kennels engaging in breeding, boarding, grooming, training, or selling dogs, must be licensed and inspected. The law sets basic definitions (e.g., what constitutes a dog breeder, small-scale vs large-scale) and mandates that facilities meet minimum standards of housing, sanitation, ventilation, medical care, and recordkeeping. Non-compliance can lead to penalties including license denial, suspension or revocation, and civil fines.
Do I Need A Dog Kennel License in Colorado?
Yes, if you operate a business that qualifies as a “pet animal facility” under PACFA, for example, boarding, breeding, selling, transferring, grooming, or training dogs commercially, then you must obtain a license from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The license is required before operation and must be renewed annually, following the passing of any required inspections. If the operation is purely a private hobby (e.g., a few dogs kept at home), the typical PACFA license may not be required, but local licensing or zoning might still apply.
Do I Need An LLC For A Dog Kennel?
Creating a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for your dog kennel business is not required by Colorado’s PACFA law, but it is strongly recommended from a business, liability, and tax perspective. Structuring your kennel as an LLC helps separate your personal assets from business liabilities (such as animal injury, property damage, or regulatory fines), enhances professional credibility, makes it easier to open business bank accounts and insurance, and positions your business for growth and formal compliance. While you could run the kennel as a sole proprietorship, an LLC adds a level of legal and financial protection.
How Many Dogs Can You Own in Colorado?
There is no single statewide limit on how many dogs a person can own in Colorado as pets. However:
- Some local jurisdictions impose limits based on zoning (e.g., in residential zones, there may be a maximum number of dogs or a kennel classification beyond which a permit is needed).
- Under C.R.S. § 35-80‐102, the law distinguishes hobby breeders (transfers no more than 24 dogs/year) from small/large scale breeders based on the number of transfers.
- Under C.R.S. § 30-15-101, counties may adopt dog licensing and control ordinances, which could limit numbers, define “vicious dogs”, etc.
You’ll need to check the specific city or county code to determine numeric limits for your property.
How Much Is A Dog Kennel License In Colorado?
The state of Colorado sets license fees under PACFA, though the exact amount can vary depending on facility type (hobby, small/large breeder, boarding/kennel) and may be updated by regulation. According to the license-fee provisions in the statute and rules, one must pay the application fee, inspection fee (if applicable), and annual renewal fee. For example, the statute (§ 35-80-105) covers license application fees. While specific numeric values may vary by year and facility size, you should check the CDA/PACFA website for the current fee schedule.
Dog Kennel Regulations By Industry in Colorado
Across industry segments (breeding, boarding, grooming, training, sheltering), Colorado’s PACFA sets baseline regulatory requirements: licensing, inspections, facility standards (housing, sanitation, lighting, ventilation), record-keeping, veterinary care, age limits for sale of pets (e.g., puppies under 8 weeks), disclosure to consumers, and enforcement with penalties.
Each industry has additional specific rules; for example, breeders must meet the “dog breeder” definitions and transfer thresholds, and pet stores must include breeder license numbers in their advertisements. Boarding/training/grooming facilities must meet physical facility and care standards under PACFA rules. Local regulation may add further layers (zoning, local permits).
Dog Boarding Regulations in Colorado
If you operate a dog-boarding facility (dogs stay overnight, exercise yards, day-care), you must obtain a pet-animal facility license under PACFA (if you engage in boarding/handling multiple dogs commercially). The facility must meet standards for proper housing, sanitation, exercise, separation/ quarantine of sick animals, ventilation, and drainage. The CDA/PACFA FAQ states that licensed facilities must comply with lighting, heating/cooling, humidity, space, and enclosure requirements. Inspections are required, and complaints may trigger investigations. Local zoning and animal control codes will also apply (residential vs commercial zoning, maximum number of dogs, setbacks, noise/odor regulations).
Dog Vet Regulations in Colorado
Veterinary practices in Colorado are regulated under Title 12, Article 315 (Veterinary Practice Act) and overseen by the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine (CSBVM). You must be a licensed veterinarian to provide veterinary services, including diagnosis, treatment, surgery, and prescription of medications.
Clinics must maintain accurate records, ensure patient-animal-client relationships, and adhere to regulations governing the use of controlled substances. In addition, if you operate a facility that keeps animals (such as boarding, breeding, or sheltering), you must ensure that veterinary care standards under PACFA are applied, including adequate healthcare, records, and inspections. Starting a veterinary practice also requires business licensing, OSHA compliance, staff certification, insurance, DEA registration (for controlled substances), and state board approval.
Dog Grooming Regulations in Colorado
Dog grooming businesses (where you groom, bathe, nail-trim, clip dogs) in Colorado typically fall under Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) licensing if you handle more than a hobby number of dogs or offer grooming commercially. PACFA covers grooming, bathing, and handling as part of a “pet animal facility.” You’ll need a license (if applicable), comply with sanitation and safety standards (including proper drying, equipment, non-toxic shampoos, and safe handling), as well as fencing, non-slip floor surfaces, adequate drainage, ventilation, and record-keeping of animals in your care (including any grooming injuries/mishaps).
Local city/county licenses and health/occupational permits may apply. Even if only grooming small numbers, it’s wise to ensure you’re licensed (or exempt) and your business meets local health, OSHA, insurance, and zoning codes.
Dog Shelter Regulations in Colorado
If you operate an animal shelter (public or private facility housing dogs for adoption, rescue, or impoundment), it must be licensed under PACFA as a “pet animal facility” (shelters are explicitly defined in § 35-80-102). The facility must meet standards for housing, sanitation, ventilation, isolation/quarantine of sick animals, veterinary care, record-keeping, and euthanasia protocols consistent with the law. It must permit inspections by the Division of Animal Welfare in the CDA.
The shelter must also comply with local codes (zoning, building, health) and may need to report escapes, deaths, or mistreatment. Non-compliance may lead to license suspension, revocation, or fines under § 35-80-113.
Dog Trainer Regulations in Colorado
If you run a dog-training business, whether it’s obedience work, behavior modification, or service-dog training, you may fall under the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) and be classified as a “pet animal facility” if you take in multiple dogs for training. In that case, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate PACFA facility license, meet the required standards for housing and training areas, ensure proper ventilation and sanitation if dogs stay on-site, keep accurate health records, and be prepared for inspections by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
You’ll also need to check local zoning, business licensing, and any specialized requirements (especially for service/assistance-dog training). Behavioral trainers without boarding facilities may still fall under local business regulations, though they may be exempt from full facility licensing; check with CDA.
Dog Breeder Regulations in Colorado
Under PACFA, “dog breeder” is defined in § 35-80-102, including categories: hobby breeder (transfers ≤ 24 dogs/year) and small/large scale breeder (transfers 25–99 dogs/year or 100+ dogs/year). Breeders who transfer dogs for sale, trade, or otherwise must obtain a pet animal facility license if the activity meets the threshold. Breeders must meet standards for housing, veterinary care, record-keeping, and sanitary conditions, and comply with consumer-protection laws (e.g., the “Pet Store Consumer Protection Act” § 35-80-108.5, requiring disclosure of breeder license numbers and prior violations in ads).
Local jurisdictions may impose additional zoning or breeding-specific regulations. Inspections and enforcement apply; violations can lead to penalties. Recent proposed updates to PACFA rules (2025) may increase scrutiny on breeders for enclosure size, camaraderie, vaccination, and isolation of imported animals.
K-9 Dog Facilities in Colorado
K-9 dog facilities (for example, law enforcement canine training/boarding, detection dog facilities, schutzhund clubs, working dog kennels) typically fall under similar licensing frameworks if they house, train, transfer, or board dogs commercially. They may need a pet animal facility license under PACFA if they are in the business of transferring or selling dogs or operating a kennel commercially.
Additionally, they must verify that local zoning allows specialized uses (law-enforcement training, boarding, kenneling) and may require specialized insurance, certification (for working dogs), and inspection. Because the regulation is primarily through PACFA and local animal control/zoning laws, it’s crucial to confirm with the CDA and local planning/animal-control offices whether your particular K-9 dog facility is exempt (for law enforcement only) or needs full licensing.
Dog Kennel Laws By City in Colorado
In Colorado, kennel rules and requirements differ across counties and often depend on details like how many dogs you can keep, the property’s size, and local zoning laws. To get the most current and accurate information, contact your county’s planning or zoning office using the chart below.
| Arvada | Planning |
| Aurora | Planning & Business Development |
| Boulder | Planning & Development Services |
| Brighton | Planning & Zoning |
| Broomfield | Planning |
| Castle Rock | Planning |
| Centennial | Community Development |
| Colorado Springs | Planning |
| Commerce City | Planning |
| Denver | Planning |
| Englewood | Planning & Zoning |
| Erie | Planning & Development |
| Fort Collins | Planning |
| Fountain | Planning |
| Grand Junction | Planning |
| Greeley | Planning & Zoning |
| Highlands Ranch | Development |
| Lafayette | Planning & Building |
| Lakewood | Property Development |
| Littleton | Land Planning |
| Longmont | Planning & Development |
| Loveland | Planning |
| Northglenn | Planning & Development |
| Parker | Planning |
| Pueblo | Planning & Development |
| Thornton | Planning & Zoning |
| Westminster | Planning |
| Windsor | Planning |
Dog Kennel Laws By County in Colorado
Kennel laws in Colorado vary from county to county and are typically based on factors such as the number of dogs permitted, the size of the property, and specific local ordinances. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, reach out to your county’s planning or zoning department using the chart below.
| Adams County | Planning & Development |
| Alamosa County | Land Use & Development |
| Arapahoe County | Planning & Land Development |
| Archuleta County | Planning |
| Baca County | Zoning |
| Bent County | County Website |
| Boulder County | Planning & Zoning |
| Broomfield County | Planning |
| Chaffee County | Community Planning |
| Cheyenne County | Planning & Zoning |
| Clear Creek County | Planning |
| Conejos County | Land Use |
| Costilla County | Planning & Zoning |
| Crowley County | Planning & Zoning |
| Custer County | Planning & Zoning |
| Delta County | Planning & Community Development |
| Denver County | Planning |
| Dolores County | County Website |
| Douglas County | Planning |
| Eagle County | Planning |
| El Paso County | Planning |
| Elbert County | Community & Development |
| Fremont County | Planning & Zoning |
| Garfield County | Planning |
| Gilpin County | Planning |
| Grand County | Planning & Zoning |
| Gunnison County | Planning |
| Hinsdale County | Planning |
| Huerfano County | Land Use & Building |
| Jackson County | County Website |
| Jefferson County | Planning & Zoning |
| Kiowa County | Planning & Zoning |
| Kit Carson County | Land Use |
| La Plata County | Planning |
| Lake County | Community Planning |
| Larimer County | Planning |
| Las Animas County | Building |
| Lincoln County | Land Use |
| Logan County | Planning & Zoning |
| Mesa County | Planning |
| Mineral County | Planning & Zoning |
| Moffat County | Planning |
| Montezuma County | Planning & Zoning |
| Montrose County | Planning & Development |
| Morgan County | Planning & Zoning |
| Otero County | Land Use |
| Ouray County | Land Use & Planning |
| Park County | Planning & Zoning |
| Phillips County | Planning & Zoning |
| Pitkin County | Planning & Zoning |
| Prowers County | Planning |
| Pueblo County | Planning & Development |
| Rio Blanco County | Planning |
| Rio Grande County | Planning |
| Routt County | Planning |
| Saguache County | Planning |
| San Juan County | Planning |
| San Miguel County | Planning |
| Sedgwick County | Planning & Zoning |
| Summit County | Planning |
| Teller County | Planning & Zoning |
| Washington County | Planning & Zoning |
| Weld County | Planning & Zoning |
| Yuma County | Land Use |
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