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Dog Bite Claims in Colorado

Colorado imposes strict liability on a dog owner for economic damages when a person suffers serious bodily injury or death from a dog bite while lawfully on public or private property — regardless of the dog's prior viciousness or the owner's knowledge (C.R.S. § 13-21-124). Exceptions include trespassing, knowingly provoking the dog, working dogs, and certain professionals. Lesser injuries fall outside this strict-liability rule.

By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026

Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.

This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a Colorado attorney promptly — strict deadlines apply.

Colorado has a specific dog-bite statute that can make an owner liable even when they had no idea the dog might bite.

Strict liability for serious injuries

Colorado imposes strict liability on a dog owner for economic damages when a person suffers serious bodily injury or death from a dog bite while lawfully on public or private property — regardless of the dog’s prior viciousness or the owner’s knowledge (C.R.S. § 13-21-124). “Strict liability” means you don’t have to prove the owner was careless for these damages.

Exceptions

The strict-liability rule has exceptions, including when the injured person was:

  • Trespassing;
  • Knowingly provoking the dog;
  • Injured by a working dog (police/military, or farm/ranch/hunting); or
  • A professional such as a veterinarian or groomer handling the dog.

Lesser injuries

Lesser injuries fall outside this strict-liability rule. A claim might still be possible on other negligence grounds, depending on the facts — and the general two-year injury deadline typically applies (C.R.S. § 13-80-102).

For an overview of Colorado injury rules, see the personal injury hub. To get matched with a local Colorado dog bite attorney, connect with a lawyer.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Colorado a strict-liability state for dog bites?
For certain cases, yes. An owner is strictly liable for economic damages when a person suffers serious bodily injury or death from a dog bite while lawfully on public or private property — regardless of the dog's prior viciousness or the owner's knowledge (C.R.S. § 13-21-124).
What if the injury was minor?
Lesser injuries fall outside the strict-liability rule. A claim might still proceed on other negligence theories, so talk to a lawyer about your facts.
Are there exceptions to the strict-liability rule?
Yes — including trespassing, knowingly provoking the dog, working dogs (police/military, farm/ranch/hunting), and certain professionals such as veterinarians and groomers (C.R.S. § 13-21-124).

Sources

Related guides

  • Colorado Car Accident Claims Colorado is an at-fault auto state: you pursue the driver who caused the crash and their insurer. A three-year deadline applies to motor-vehicle claims (C.R.S. § 13-80-101(1)(n)), and modified comparative negligence bars recovery once you're 50% or more at fault (C.R.S. § 13-21-111). Colorado sets minimum liability limits (commonly 25/50/15) — confirm the current statute.
  • Colorado Motorcycle Accident Claims Colorado has no universal helmet law — only riders and passengers under 18 must wear one (C.R.S. § 42-4-1502), and eye protection is required for everyone. Motorcycle crash claims follow Colorado's at-fault framework: a three-year deadline for motor-vehicle claims (C.R.S. § 13-80-101) and modified comparative negligence that bars recovery once you're 50% or more at fault (C.R.S. § 13-21-111).
  • Colorado Truck Accident Claims Colorado truck crash claims follow the state's at-fault framework: a three-year deadline for motor-vehicle claims (C.R.S. § 13-80-101) and modified comparative negligence that bars recovery at 50% or more fault (C.R.S. § 13-21-111). Federal FMCSA rules — hours of service, maintenance, driver qualification — layer on top, and a violation can be evidence of negligence. Cases often involve multiple defendants.
  • Medical Malpractice in Colorado Colorado medical malpractice claims have a two-year deadline with a three-year statute of repose (C.R.S. § 13-80-102.5). Colorado caps damages under the Health Care Availability Act (C.R.S. § 13-64-302). Importantly, HB 24-1472 raised the caps on an escalating schedule starting Jan 1, 2025 — there's no single fixed figure, so confirm the current cap.
  • Premises Liability in Colorado Colorado's Premises Liability Act (C.R.S. § 13-21-115) is the controlling, exclusive statutory remedy for injuries from the condition of, or activities on, real property — it replaced the common-law approach. A landowner's duty depends on the injured person's statutory class: trespasser, licensee, or invitee. The two-year general injury deadline (C.R.S. § 13-80-102) typically applies.
  • Wrongful Death Claims in Colorado Colorado's Wrongful Death Act (C.R.S. §§ 13-21-201 to 13-21-204) sets who may sue on a tiered, year-based scheme: the surviving spouse generally has the exclusive right in the first year, then spouse and/or heirs, and parents may sue for an unmarried decedent with no descendants. A two-year deadline generally applies. Colorado caps noneconomic damages, but HB 24-1472 raised the cap — confirm the current figure; there's no cap for a felonious killing.

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