HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-26 - Special Study SessionSPECIAL STUDY SESSION AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
Monday, May 11, 2026
• Meeting to convene at the conclusion of the Regular City Council meeting which
starts at 6:30 p.m.
This meeting will be conducted as a virtual meeting, and in person, at: 7500 West 29th
Avenue, Municipal Building, Council Chambers.
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on May 11, 2026)
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soon as possible, preferably 7 days before the activity or event.
Public Comment on Agenda Items
1. Animal Code Update
ITEM NO. 1
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager
FROM: Marianne Schilling, Deputy City Manager
Jerry Dahl, City Attorney
DATE: May 11, 2026
SUBJECT: Animal Code Amendments
ISSUE:
Several sections of the City’s animal code are outdated or do not reflect current needs
or practices. As such, City Council requested a study session to review proposed
amendments to the Wheat Ridge Animal Code for Council’s consideration.
PRIOR ACTION:
• June 2, 2025: the City Council held a Study Session to review several proposed
amendments to the City’s animal code, aimed at clarifying language, aligning with best practices, and keeping pace with peer cities. Council discussed many
of these items and directed staff to return with the remaining amendments and
additional considerations.
• September 15, 2025: Council reconvened to address those outstanding issues.
This ordinance reflects the guidance provided by Council at both meetings.
• February 19, 2026: Planning Commission recommended approval of the
proposed changes to Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the keeping of small animals by a vote of 5 to 0 on February 19, 2026.
• March 23, 2026: City Council approved Ordinance No. 1840 on first reading. A
motion was made by Councilmember Hultin and seconded by Councilmember Ohm and approved by a vote of 8 to 0.
• April 13, 2026: Mayor Pro Tem Hultin moved to continue the public hearing for
this ordinance to the regular business meeting of the Council scheduled to
commence at 6:30 p.m. on June 8, 2026. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Okada and approved by a vote of 8 to 0. During the City Council
reports, Mayor Pro Tem Hultin clarified that the upcoming animal code hearing in June would address three specific items: swine/domestic pigs, cats at large, and
venomous animals.
May 11, 2026
Page 2
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Wheat Ridge’s municipal code includes Chapter 4: Animals, defining which
animals may be kept within the community and establishing regulations to safeguard
residents and public safety. Staff is seeking Council direction on the following topic
areas within Chapter 4. Staff recommendations are included for each section.
1. Venomous Animals
During previous discussions with City Council, Staff detailed the regulation regarding
ownership of all reptiles, amphibians, and insects. There appeared to be unintended
consequences of the code’s structure, which bans all animals by default unless they are
specifically listed as allowed. Staff does not believe that most reptiles, amphibians, or
insects present inherent health or safety risks. As such, Staff recommended and
received consensus from Council on September 15, 2025, to amend the code to allow
their possession, while continuing to prohibit a smaller, clearly defined subset of these
animal classes that may pose a genuine threat to public safety.
Following the discussion, there was a need for a more detailed review and clarification
regarding Sec. 4-14(d): Specific animals enumerated. Staff received feedback that this
section may now be overly complicated and may have unintentional consequences
regarding lawful business operations in the City.
Discussion:
City Council provided consensus in September 2025 to update Sec. 4-14(d) to read:
“Reptiles, amphibians, and insects shall be allowed, except for the following:
• Species that possess venom or toxins known to cause serious illness or
injury to humans.
• Venomous snakes.
• Constrictor snakes capable of posing a physical threat to humans or
domestic animals including but not limited to: reticulated pythons, green
anacondas, and Burmese pythons.
• Any animals that have been classified as a dangerous or hazardous
species under state or federal law.
• Any animals that are not permitted and/or require a license from Colorado
Parks and Wildlife to possess.
May 11, 2026
Page 3
• Crocodilians, including but not limited to alligators, caimans, and
crocodiles.
Staff recommend instead leaning more heavily on existing State regulations. In addition,
deleting “insects” and adding “invertebrates” as follows:
“Reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, including tarantulas, scorpions, and
centipedes, shall be allowed without any requirement for an exception from the
chief of police, except for the following:
• Any animals that have been classified as a dangerous or hazardous
species under state or federal law
• Any animals that are not permitted and/or require a license from Colorado
Parks and Wildlife to possess
• Any species listed under state or federal law as injurious to wildlife or aquatic nuisance species”
Staff spoke with the City’s Community Service Officers who are in support of simplifying
legislation and referencing State regulation. In this case, there is no existing concern
regarding venomous animals that would require additional legislation at this time.
Additionally, Staff spoke with local business representatives and they support these
amendments.
2. Potbellied Pigs and Swine
It is unlawful for any person to own, possess, harbor, sell, or in any other manner traffic
in any exotic or wild animals, that is, any animal that is not a domestic animal. However,
the Chief of Police may grant exceptions to this prohibition through an annual
application process. At this time, exceptions that may be granted through the Chief of
Police for a potbellied pig have specific requirements as follows:
Sec. 4-14(c) Potbellied pigs:
(1) Any exceptions granted by the chief of police for a potbellied pig, Sus
scrofa vittatus, pursuant to subsection (b), shall be limited as follows:
a. No more than two (2) potbellied pigs may be kept at one residence
or location, provided, however, that an additional pig may be kept for
each one acre of property in excess of the minimum lot size;
b. Every potbellied pig must be neutered or spayed by the age of four
(4) months;
c. No potbellied pig may weigh more than one hundred fifty (150)
pounds nor be taller than twenty-two (22) inches in height;
d. The potbellied pig must be certified as such by a licensed
May 11, 2026
Page 4
veterinarian or be an officially registered potbellied pig;
e. Penned exterior areas confining potbellied pigs must be no closer
than fifteen (15) feet to a side or rear yard lot line and no closer than
thirty (30) feet to a residential structure located on an adjacent lot;
f. Outdoor enclosures must be kept clean;
g. Prior to the granting of an exception, owners must review
educational materials provided by the chief of police related to the
care and keeping of potbellied pigs;
h. The chief of police shall adopt rules of procedure related to the
review of complaints regarding the keeping of potbellied pigs for
which an exception has been granted; and
i. The chief of police may impose reasonable conditions prior to
granting or during the term of any exception which is necessary to
protect the animal's health and the safety and enjoyment of adjacent
properties and owners.
Ordinance No. 1840, Sec. 4-14(d)(1)(l), Sec. 26-204, and Sec. 26-606(G) also proposed,
on first reading, to prohibit “swine” in all zone districts, except for potbellied pigs.
Staff received a request from councilmembers to also allow for small pigs that are not
necessarily defined as potbellied pigs. However, small pigs — such as piglets, gilts, or
barrows that have not yet reached market weight — are still members of the swine
species. So, whether a pig is large, small, or still growing, it is part of the swine family.
Therefore, per the proposed prohibition on swine, small pigs would not be allowed in the
City.
As such, if City Council would like to allow for potbellied pigs and small pigs, the
prohibition on swine would have to be addressed. In addition, the current Code refers to
potbellied pigs as Sus scrofa vittatus, which is a wild boar. Potbellied pigs are Sus
scrofa domesticus. This Latin reference to potbellied pigs should also be amended.
Alternatively, Council may choose to remove the Latin language entirely from this
section and instead lean on the existing weight and height limits in Sec. 4-14(c)(1)(c)
that meet the intent of City Council.
Staff spoke with the Chief of Police and Community Service Officers and received
feedback that it would be preferred if the code removed references to Latin and instead
only used plain language for ease of enforcement. Additionally, Sec. 4-14(c)(1)(d)
May 11, 2026
Page 5
requires all potbellied pigs to be certified by a registered veterinarian, which would meet
the intent of assuring accuracy of description. Staff would request that City Council
lean on the existing descriptors.
3. Cats at large:
The recently proposed revisions to Section 4.8 of the Wheat Ridge City Code include a
change to part (a), which currently pertains only to dogs at large, and states that person who is the owner of a dog that runs at large within the city is guilty of dog at large. The
proposed revisions to the code included the following language, updating “dogs” to
“animals” and creating an exception for domestic house cats.
The recently proposed revision to this section follows:
Sec. 4-8. Running at large; off-leash dog parks.
(a) A person who is a dog AN ANIMAL owner shall be guilty of dog ANIMAL at
large if such dog ANIMAL runs at large within the city, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
DOMESTIC HOUSE CATS. ANIMALS PRESENT ON REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY
THE OWNER OR PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ANIMAL SHALL NOT BE
CONSIDERED AT LARGE.
“Running at large” means off the premises of the owner and not under the effective
control of that owner, his agent, servant, or competent member of his family by means
of a leash, cord, or chain not to exceed six (6) feet in length …”
Discussion:
Staff received feedback that there may be interest in reviewing the regulation regarding
domestic house cats. City Council may consider additional updates to Sec.4-8 of the
code to remove the exemption of domestic house cats. The reason for this potential update would include the following:
1. Cats are second largest human-related cause of bird death, with habitat loss
being the largest cause.
2. Running at large increases danger for cats due to automobile encounters, and
interactions with predators such as coyotes, foxes, hawks, feral cats, and more. Outdoor cats are said to live only half as long as indoor cats.
3. There is a precedent for Colorado municipalities that restrict domestic cats at
large, including Westminster, Fort Collins and Loveland.
Staff discussed this proposal with the City’s community service officers, who had
concerns regarding the practicality of enforcement, and shared that they don’t currently
find domestic cats at large to be a widespread issue in Wheat Ridge.
May 11, 2026
Page 6
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff requests direction from City Council regarding any potential updates to the City’s
animal code.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. 1840, approved on first reading
ATTACHMENT 1
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER
COUNCIL BILL NO. 07
ORDINANCE NO. 1840
Series 2026
TITLE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WHEAT RIDGE MUNICIPAL
CODE CONCERNING ANIMAL WELFARE AND REGULATIONS FOR
THE SAME
WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge (the “City”) is a home rule municipality having
all powers conferred by Article XX of the Colorado Constitution; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to its home rule authority and C.R.S. § 31-23-101, the City,
acting through its City Council (the “Council”), is authorized to adopt ordinances for the
protection of the public health, safety or welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Council previously adopted and amended Chapter 4 of the Wheat
Ridge Code of Laws (the “Code”) concerning animals; and
WHEREAS, the Council also previously adopted and amended Chapter 26 of the
Code which also contains provisions concerning animals; and
WHEREAS, the Council now wishes to further amend Chapters 4 and 26 of the Code concerning the regulation and welfare of animals within the City and provide for
administrative enforcement of the same; and
WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge Planning Commission held a public hearing on
February 19, 2026, and voted to recommend approval of the Chapter 26 amendments.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO:
Section 1. The following sections of Chapter 4 of the Code are amended as
follows:
Sec. 4-1. Definitions.
[…]
Aggressive dog means any dog that (1) approaches any person, without provocation,
in a menacing manner or in an attitude of attack, whether or not an attack actually
occurs; (2) inflicts a puncture wound, abrasion, or other wound caused by the dog's
teeth upon a person or domestic animal, but the injury does not meet the definition of bodily injury or serious bodily injury; or (3) in an attacking manner encroaches
over, through, or under a fence onto public property or the private property of
another.
AGGRESSIVE ANIMAL:
i. ANIMALS THAT APPROACH ANY PERSON, WITHOUT PROVOCATION, IN A
MENACING MANNER OR WITH AN APPARENT ATTITUDE OF ATTACK,
WHETHER OR NOT AN ATTACK ACTUALLY OCCURS, INCLUDING ANIMALS
THAT ARE NOT ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED WITHIN AN ENCLOSED AREA;
ii. ANIMALS THAT, IN AN ATTACKING MANNER, ENCROACH OVER, THROUGH, OR UNDER A FENCE ONTO PUBLIC PROPERTY OR THE PRIVATE PROPERTY
OF ANOTHER;
iii. ANIMALS THAT INFLICT A PUNCTURE WOUND, ABRASION, OR OTHER
INJURY ON A PERSON OR DOMESTIC ANIMAL, BUT THE INJURY DOES NOT
MEET THE DEFINITION OF BODILY INJURY OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY;
[…]
DANGEROUS ANIMALS:
i. ANIMALS THAT INFLICT OR CAUSE BODILY INJURY, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY
UPON A PERSON, OR DEATH UPON A PERSON OR DOMESTIC ANIMAL;
ii. ANIMALS THAT ENGAGE IN OR HAVE BEEN TRAINED FOR ANIMAL FIGHTING;
iii. ANIMALS THAT HAVE BEEN DETERMINED BY A COURT OF RECORD WITHIN
THE STATE OF COLORADO TO BE A VICIOUS OR DANGEROUS ANIMAL AND FOR WHOM THE OWNER DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS
IMPOSED BY STATE STATUTE, LOCAL ORDINANCE, OR COURT ORDER FOR
OWNERSHIP OF SAID ANIMAL.
[…]
Vicious animal means an animal, other than a dog, that unprovokedly bites or attacks humans or other animals, or an animal which is not adequately restrained in an
enclosed area that approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack or in a
terrorizing or menacing manner.
Sec. 4-8. Running at large; off-leash dog parks.
(a) A person who is a dog AN ANIMAL owner shall be guilty of dogANIMAL at large if such dogANIMAL runs at large within the city, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
DOMESTIC HOUSE CATS. ANIMALS PRESENT ON REAL PROPERTY OWNED
BY THE ONWER OR PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ANIMAL SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED AT LARGE.
(b) . . .
(c) The city council may, from time to time, direct the creation, alteration and
removal of off-leash dog parks within the city. Off-leash dog parks shall be
located on city property and shall be governed by and posted with signs giving
notice of the following rules and regulations. It shall be unlawful to violate any
provision of this subsection (c). Conviction of any provision of this subsection (c)
may also result in a loss of privilege to the owner, handler or subject dog to use
the city's off-leash dog parks:
(1) Off-leash dog parks are open to the public during the same hours the
surrounding city property is open to the public.
(2) All dogs must be under the effective control of their owners or handlers by
means of a leash, cord, or chain not to exceed six (6) feet in length when
entering and leaving the designated dog park area.
(3) All dogs must display a current rabies tag affixed to the collar.
(4) All dogs belonging to city residents must display a current license issued by
the licensing administrator as required by section 4-31(c).
(5) All dogs must be accompanied by a person seventeen (17) years of age or
older.
(6) Dog owners and handlers assume full responsibility for their dogs and minor
children within the dog park area.
(7) Dog owners and handlers must remain within the off-leash dog park area and
within sight of their dogs at all times.
(8) Dog owners and handlers must remove and promptly dispose of any feces
deposited within the dog park area by their dogs.
(9) Dogs may not chase or otherwise harass wildlife.
(10) The following dogs are not permitted within off-leash dog parks:
a. Aggressive dogs, as defined by section 4-1.
b. Female dogs in heat.
c. Dogs without a current rabies tag affixed to the collar or without a
current license issued by the licensing administrator, as applicable.
d. Dogs under the age of four (4) months.
e. Dogs exhibiting visible signs of illness or known by the owner or
handler to be ill.
f. Dogs that do not respond to and obey their owners' or handlers' sight
or voice commands.
Sec. 4-10. Rabies control.
(a) . . .
(b) Any dog, cat or other animal that has bitten any person CAUSING A WOUND
BREAKING THE SKIN shall be immediately confined for a period of ten (10) days. No animal under confinement shall be released from confinement until
such release has been approved by the community service officer. THE OWNER
OF SUCH ANIMAL SHALL FILE, WITHIN FORTY-EIGHT (48) HOURS OF THE
INCIDENT, A REPORT OF THAT INCIDENT WITH A COMMUNITY SERVICE
OFFICER], THE REPORT TO CONTAIN DATE/TIME OF BITE, PERSON BITTEN, NAME OF ANIMAL OWNER.
(c) . . .
(d) . . .
(e) When an animal under quarantine has been diagnosed as being rabid by a
licensesD veterinarian the veterinarian making such diagnosis shall immediately notify the county public health officer and advise THEMhim of any
reports of human contact with such rabid dog [animal]. If any animal under
quarantine dies while under observation, the community service officer or his
THEIR agents shall immediately take action to obtain a pathological and
inoculation examination of the animal. As soon as a diagnosis is made available, the community service officer shall notify the county public health
officer of any reports of human contact with the animal. Any animal which has
not beEN inoculated against rabies and known to have been bitten by a rabid
animal shall be humanely destroyed.
(f) . . . (g) . . .
(h) In case of an outbreak of rabies, constituting an emergency situation, the
mayor shall be authorized to impose strict regulations pertaining to animals
within the city. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR AN OWNER TO PROCURE A
RABIES VACCINATION FOR AN ANIMAL UNDER QUARANTINE, UNLESS APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICER IN WRITING.
Sec. 4-11. Cruelty or inhumane treatment; HARASSMENT.
(a) IT SHALL BE CRUEL OR INHUMANE FOR ANY PERSON TO:
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to Commit or cause to be committed any act of cruelty, harassment, abandonment, torture, mistreatment or
neglect to any animal, or to cause any animal to be wounded, mutilated, strangulated or inhumanely killed.
(2) For purposes of this section, a person commits an act of harassment
upon an animal if such person's conduct or actions causes CAUSE an
animal to behave as if frightened, causes the animal displeasure or pain, or otherwise causes the animal to become likely to injure either
itself or other persons or animals, or causes the animal to create a
nuisance.
(3) TRANSPORT AN ANIMAL IN OR ON ANY MOTOR VEHICLE OR TRAILER
UNLESS THE ANIMAL IS SAFELY RESTRAINED. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, RESTRAINED IS DEFINED AS ENCLOSED WITHIN
A VEHICLE OR TRAILER WITH NO OPENINGS LARGE ENOUGH TO
PERMIT THE ANIMAL TO EXIT THE VEHICLE OR TRAILER ON ITS OWN,
OR PLACED WITHIN A SECURED CONTAINER, CAGE OR OTHER
ENCLOSURE OR RESTRAINING DEVICE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT THE ANIMAL FROM FALLING FROM, BEING THROWN FROM OR JUMPING
FROM THE VEHICLE. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, PUBLIC PLACE IS DEFINED AS ANY PLACE OPEN TO AND GENERALLY USED BY THE
PUBLIC, WHETHER PUBLICLY OR PRIVATELY OWNED, INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, STREETS, HIGHWAYS, ALLEYS, PARKING LOTS, SCHOOLS AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
(4) LEAVE AN ANIMAL IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE WITHOUT ADEQUATE VENTILATION OR IN ANY MANNER WHICH SUBJECTS THE
ANIMAL TO EXTREME TEMPERATURES OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES
THAT ARE DANGEROUS OR DETRIMENTAL TO THE ANIMAL’S HEALTH OR WELFARE.
a. IF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER OR POLICE OFFICER HAS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE KEEPING
OR MAINTAINING OF ANY ANIMAL IS SO HAZARDOUS,
UNSAFE, OR DANGEROUS AS TO REQUIRE IMMEDIATE INSPECTION TO SAFEGUARD THE ANIMAL OR THE PUBLIC
HEALTH OR SAFETY, THE COMMUNITY SERVIE OFFICER OR POLICE OFFICER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT IMMEDIATELY TO
ENTER AND INSPECT THE PROPERTY OR VEHICLE IN OR
UPON WHICH THE ANIMAL IS KEPT, AND MAY USE ANY REASONABLE MEANS REQUIRED TO EFFECT SUCH ENTRY
AND MAKE SUCH INSPECTION, WHETHER THE PROPERTY OR VEHICLE IS OCCUPIED OR UNOCCUPIED AND WHETHER
PERMISSION TO INSPECT HAS BEEN OBTAINED OR NOT. IF
THE PROPERTY OR VEHICLE IS OCCUPIED, THE COMMUNITY SERVIE OFFICER OR POLICE OFFICER SHALL FIRST PRESENT
PROPER CREDENTIALS TO THE OWNER OR OCCUPANT OF THE PROPERTY OR VEHICLE AND DEMAND ENTRY,
EXPLAINING REASONS THEREFOR AND THE PURPOSE OF THE
INSPECTION. SUCH ENTRY SHALL BE SOLELY FOR THE
PURPOSE OF ABATING THE VIOLATION AND NO EVIDENCE
OBTAINED DURING OR AS A RESULT OF SUCH ENTRY SHALL
BE ADMISSIBLE FOR PURPOSES OF PROSECUTION.
(b) Ownership of the animal in question shall not be a justifiable defense for acts
or conduct prohibited by this section or for a violation of this section.
(c) AnY community service officer or other employee or official of the city may
impound an animal or animals pursuant to section 4-52 if the officer,
employee or official reasonably believes that such impoundment is necessary for the health or safety of any mistreated animal. The animal owner shall be
liable for all expenses arising from such impoundment or any medical
treatment for the animal during such impoundment.
Sec. 4-14. Exotic or wild animals.
(a) Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, harbor, sell, or in any other manner traffic in any exotic or wild animals, that is, any animal that is not
a domestic animal, whether it is a native animal of this state or not. THIS PROHIBITION SHALL NOT APPLY TO THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES
LISTED UNDER STATE, FEDERAL, OR INTERNATIONAL LAW AND KEPT BY A
LICENSED ENTITY WITHIN THE CITY.
(b) Exceptions. The chief of police may grant exceptions to this section for
successive periods of time not to exceed twelve (12) months. APPLICATIONS FOR AN EXCEPTION MUST BE FILED WITH THE CHIEF OF POLICE ON FORMS
MAINTAINED BY THE CHIEF’S OFFICE, ALONG WITH THE APPLICATION FEE SET
BY THE CITY COUNCIL FROM TIME TO TIME. THE CHIEF OF POLICE IN THEIR SOLE DISCRETION MAY GRANT, GRANT WITH CONDITIONS OR DENY THE
APPLICATION. (c)…
(d) Specific animals enumerated.
(1) The following animals are domestic animals:
a. Aquarium fishes
b. Psitocine birds, aviary finches, etc, farm birds (ducks, geese, swans, poultry)
c. Domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
d. Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguicularus)
e. Guinea pig ( Cavia porceilus)
f. Hamster (Musorcriectus auratus)
g. Domestic laboratory mouse (Mus domesticus)
h. Domestic laboratory rat (Rattus rattus albino strain)
i. Domestic cat (Felis catus)
j. Domestic dog (Canas familiaris)
k. Domestic livestock, including but not limited to: horses, cattle, sheep, goats, mules, donkeys, burros, llamas, honeybees, and swine
l. SWINE AS DOMESTIC ANIMALS ARE PROHIBITED IN ALL ZONE
DISTRICTS PER CHAPTER 26 (except potbellied pigs, Sus scrofa
vittatus, which is an imported variety of swine and which shall be considered exotic animals).
(2) REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS, AND INSECTS SHALL BE ALLOWED, EXCEPT
FOR THE FOLLOWING:
a. SPECIES THAT POSSESS VENOM OR TOXINS KNOWN TO CAUSE
SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY TO HUMANS.
b. VENOMOUS SNAKES
c. CONSTRICTOR SNAKES CAPABLE OF POSING A PHYSICAL THREAT
TO HUMANS OR DOMESTIC ANIMAL INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO: RETICULATED PYTHONS, GREEN ANACONDAS, AND BURMESE
PYTHONS
d. ANY ANIMALS THAT HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A DANGEROUS OR
HAZARDOUS SPECIES UNDER STATE OR FEDERAL LAW
e. ANY ANIMALS THAT ARE NOT PERMITTED AND/OR REQUIRE A
LICENSE FROM COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE TO POSSESS.
f. CROCODILIANS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ALLIGATORS, CAIMANS, AND CROCODILES
(3) Exotic and wild animals shall consist of every other creature within the
animal kingdom.
Sec. 4-17. Unlawful possession of dangerous ANIMAL OR dog.
(a) It is unlawful for a person who is a dog owner to keep, harbor or possess a VICIOUS ANIMAL OR A dangerous dog within the city. NOTHWITHSTANDING
THIS PROHIBITION, A COURT MAY AUTHORIZE THE POSSESSION OF SUCH
AN ANIMAL IF THE OWNER COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTIONS 4-17(e) AND 4-17(f), AS WELL AS ANY OTHER CONDITIONS
IMPOSED BY THE COURT.
(b) An affirmative defense to the violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be:
(1) That, at the time of the attack by the ANIMALdangerous dog, which
caused injury to or the death of a domestic animal: a. . . .
b. The domestic animal was biting or otherwise attacking the dangerous OR VICIOUS animal or its owner.
(2) That, at the time of the attack by the dangerous dog, which caused injury
to a person, the victim of the attack was:
a. Committing or attempting to commit a criminal offense against the
dog ANIMAL owner, and the attack did not occur on the owner's property; or
b. . . .
c. Tormenting, provoking, abusing or inflicting injury upon the ANIMAL
dog in such an extreme manner that the attack was a result of the
victim's actions. (c) . . .
(d) . . .
(e) . . .
(1) . . .
(2) . . . (3) At all times when the dog is at the property of the dog owner, the dog
owner shall keep the dog confined except as further allowed by this
section. When outdoors, the dog shall be confined in an escape-proof
enclosure WHICH IS ALSO DESIGNED TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL ENTRY
BY ANYONE, INCLUDING CHILDREN. All structures must be locked with a key or combination lock when the dog is within the structure. Such
structure shall have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the pen or the sides of the pen shall be embedded in the ground no less than
two (2) feet. All such structures must be adequately lighted and ventilated
and kept in a clean and sanitary condition. All structures erected to house such dog must comply with all zoning and building requirements. The
community services officer shall inspect the structure to ensure compliance with suchTHESE conditions.
(4) . . .
(5) . . . (6) . . .
(7) . . . (8) . . .
(9) The dog owner shall not sell or transfer the dog to any person except a
member of the dog owner's immediate family OR TO A RESPONSIBLE CARETAKER who shall then be deemed the dog owner and subject to all
the requirements of this title. For the purposes of this subsection, "immediate family" shall mean the owner's spouse, child, parent, or sibling,
“RESPONISBLE CARETAKER” SHALL MEAN A PERSON APPROVED IN
THE REASONABLE JUDGEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE
OFFICER.
[…]
Sec. 4-18. Unlawful possession of aggressive ANIMAL OR dog.
(a) It is unlawful for a person who is a dog owner to keep, harbor or possess an
aggressive dog within the city. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS PROHIBITION, A
COURT MAY AUTHORIZE THE POSSESSION OF SUCH AN ANIMAL IF THE
OWNER COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTIONS 4-18(C) AND 4-18(D), AS WELL AS ANY OTHER CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY THE COURT.
(b) . . .
(c) . . .
(1) The dog owner shall, at the dog owner's expense, have a microchip
containing an identification number implanted into the dog and provide such information to the COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER section of the
wheat ridge police department. The dog owner shall produce the dog for
verification by a COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER of the microchip
implementation. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER SECTION OF THE
WHEAT RIDGE POLICE DEPARTMENT shall maintain records containing the registration number and name of said dog and name and address of
the dog owner. The dog owner shall be responsible for notifying THE
COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER of any change in the address, ownership,
or death of the dog.
(2) . . . (3) . . .
(4) . . . (d) . . .
(1) . . .
(2) . . . (3) The dog owner shall, at the dog owner's expense, have the animal spayed
or neutered and shall provide proof to the COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER section of the wheat ridge police department that the
sterilization has been performed.
(e) . . .
Sec. 4-31. Dog and cat licenses.
(a) . . . (b) . . .
(c) Required; described. A license is required for all dogs and cats FROM THE
LICENSING AUTHORITY IDENTIFIED BY, AND IN FORM AND CONTENT APPROVED BY THE LICENSING ADMINISTRATOR.n the city as follows: A valid cat license shall be a current Mile-Hi rabies tag and registration certificate.
A valid dog license shall be a dog license issued by the licensing administrator.
A cat or dog owner may request an exemption to this requirement if, for medical reasons, his/her cat or dog cannot be vaccinated. In this event, a cat or
dog owner must submit an affidavit from a licensed veterinarian stating the reasons why the cat or dog is unable to be vaccinated.
(d) Wearing of tag; availability of certificate. A current and valid Mile-Hi rabies tag
shall be worn on a collar or harness by the dog at all times, unless a current and valid tag from the licensing administrator, which requires proof of current
rabies vaccination for its issuance, is worn on a collar or harness by the dog at all times. A current and valid registration certificate, as above-described, shall
be kept in the possession of the owner of any dog or cat within the city, and
such registration certificate or a copy of it shall be produced or producible by
the owner as proof of current registration in the event of loss or the
correspondingly numbered tag.
(e) . . . (f) . . .
(g) Obtainment from licensed veterinarian. Mile-Hi rabies tags and registration
certificates are only to be issued by and obtained from veterinarians currently
licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state.
(h) New residents. New residents of the city may be issued a current Mile-Hi rabies tag and registration certificate for their cat or dog by a veterinarian licensed to
practice in the state, upon proof of having had the cat or dog vaccinated for
rabies by a licensed veterinarian.
(i) . . .
Sec. 4-33. Guard dogs.
It shall be unlawful for any person to place or maintain guard dogs in any area for the
protection of persons or property unless the following conditions are met:
(1) The dogs shall be confined to an enclosed area adequate to ensure they
will not escape AND SO AS TO HAVE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE THAT
PREVENT ACCIDENTAL OR UNINTENTIONAL ENTRY BY ANYONE, INLCUDING CHILDREN; or (2) . . .
(3) . . .
(4) . . . (5) COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICERS SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO
ISSUE A CEASE AND DESIST ORDER IF THEY DETERMINE THAT THE PRESENCE OR CIRCUMSTANCES OF GUARD DOGS POSE A DANGER TO
ANY PERSON, PROPERTY, OR ANIMAL. SUCH CEASE AND DESIST
ORDER IS SUBJECT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING APPEALS PROCESS AT CODE SECTION 2-80 et seq.
Sec. 4-34. Kennel licenses.
(a) . . .
(b) . . .
(c) . . . (d) . . .
(e) .. . . (1) . . .
(2) . . .
(3) . . .
(4) . . .
(5) Community service officers or any agent of the chief of police have the authority to inspect any licensed facility under this section during normal
posted business hours, OR AT ANY TIME IF THERE IS REASONABLE
CAUSE TO SUSPECT THAT THE OPERATION IS A DANGER TO THE
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE ANIMAL OR THE PUBLIC.
Sec. 4-52. Custody and disposition of impounded animals.
(a) . . .
(b) . . . (c) . . . (d) . . . (e) . Whenever a community services officer or other employee or agent of the city impounds an animal, such animal shall be impounded in a humane manner for
a period of not less than five (5) days following the date of notice to the animal
owner of such impoundment pursuant to section 4-53; any animal so impounded which is not claimed within said five-day period may be disposed of by sale, donation or destruction at the sole discretion of the animal shelter. WHENEVER A COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICER OR OTHER EMPLOYEE
OR AGENT OF THE CITY IMPOUNDS AN ANIMAL, SUCH ANIMAL SHALL BE IMPOUNDED IN A HUMANE MANNER FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE (5) DAYS FOLLOWING THE DATE OF NOTICE TO THE ANIMAL OWNER OF SUCH IMPOUNDMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 4-53. NO ANIMAL SHALL BE DESTROYED, SOLD, OR DONATED UNLESS
ORDERED BY A JUDGE AFTER A HEARING, WHICH MAY BE NOTICED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE IMPOUNDMENT NOTICE, PROVIDED THE HEARING OCCURS NO SOONER THAN FIVE (5) DAYS AFTER THE HEARING NOTICE IS GIVEN. EXCEPTIONS APPLY IN CASES WHERE THE ANIMAL IS CRITICALLY ILL OR INJURED, SUFFERING EXTREME PAIN,
AND/OR HAS A POOR PROGNOSIS FOR RECOVERY. THE ANIMAL SHELTER SHALL CONSULT WITH A VETERINARIAN AS TO THE DISPOSITION OF INJURED ANIMAL, WHEN THE ANIMAL’S PROGNOSIS CANNOT BE ASCERTAINED BY THE ANIMAL SHELTER WITH REASONABLE CERTAINTY. THE OWNER OF AN IMPOUNDED ANIMAL IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR BOARDING AND IMPOUNDMENT FEES ESTABLISHED BY
THE SHELTER. THE CITY, ITS EMPLOYEES, THE ANIMAL SHELTER, AND ANY
CONSULTED VETERINARIAN SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM LIABILITY FOR ANY ACTIONS TAKEN PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION.
(f) No animal shall be destroyed before the lapse of five (5) days following notice of
impoundment pursuant to section 4-53, unless the animal shelter determines
that the animal is critically ill or injured, is suffering extreme pain, and/or has a poor prognosis for recovery. The animal shelter shall consult with a veterinarian as to the disposition of injured animals, when the animal's prognosis cannot be ascertained by the animal shelter with reasonable certainty. The owner of any
impounded animal shall be responsible for the payment of such boarding and
impoundment fees established by the animal shelter. The city and its employees, the animal shelter and its employees, and any veterinarian consulted shall be immune from liability for any actions taken pursuant to this section.
(g) (f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever an animal is impounded by order of the municipal court or other court, the animal shelter shall not sell, donate or destroy such animal unless such action is permitted by a subsequent order of
the same court which ordered the initial impoundment. THE MUNICIPAL COURT IS AUTHORIZED TO ORDER A HOLD ON ANIMALS SUSPECTED OF NEGLECT, AS WELL AS ANY ANIMALS SEIZED OR IMPOUNDED DUE TO CRUELTY, INHUMANE CONDITIONS, DESIGNATION AS A DANGEROUS OR AGGRESSIVE DOG, OR FOR BEING A SERVICE
ANIMAL, UNTIL THE RESOLUTION OF THEIR CASE.
Section 2. Section 2-80 of the Municipal Code is amended to read:
Purpose; scope. The purpose of this article is to encourage prompt compliance with
this Code and prompt payment of penalties for violations thereof. This article provides
for administrative PROCEDURES AND penalties that may be imposed for violation of the following portions of this Code CHAPTER 4, ARTICLES I AND II ANIMALS, chapter 5,
buildings and building regulations; chapter 9, health; chapter 13, motor vehicles and
traffic; chapter 15, nuisances; article X of chapter 11 concerning massage businesses,
article XIV of chapter 11 concerning short term rentals; chapter 21, streets and
sidewalks; chapter 22, taxation; chapter 24, vegetation; chapter 26, zoning.
Section 3. Section 26-204 (zone district use schedule) of the Code is amended
by replacing the note in the “Table of Uses - Agricultural and Public Facilities” as
follows:
Uses Notes A-1 A-2 PF
or keeping of stock, bee
keeping, poultry or small
animals such as rabbits or
chinchillas
raising or keeping of swine
INCLUDED in A-2: The keeping
of swine and/or potbellied
pigs, Sus Scrofa Vittatus, except such animals shall not
be fed garbage PROHIBITED IN ALL
DISTRICTS: THE RAISING OR
KEEPING OF SWINE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
POTBELLIED PIGS, UNDER
P P
Section 2. Section 26-206 of the Code is amended by the addition of new
subsections B and G with appropriate re-numbering of the section to read as follows:
Sec. 26-606. - Small animals and poultry.
The private keeping of small animals, such as dwarf goats, rabbits and chinchillas, or
poultry, such as chickens, ducks, geese, pheasants or pigeons, shall be subject to the following requirements. This section shall not apply to conforming lots in the A-1 or A-2
districts.
A. Except when in compliance with section 26-605 (large animals), dwarf goats shall
be limited to a maximum of three (3) per residential dwelling unit, plus their
unweaned offspring and provided no un-neutered male dwarf goats shall be allowed. For each dwarf goat, a minimum of one hundred thirty (130) square feet
of permeable lot area shall be provided in the side or rear yard.
B. FOR LOTS THAT ARE UNDER ONE (1) ACRE IN SIZE, ONLY ONE (1) ROOSTER IS
PERMITTED IN RESIDENTIAL AND AGRICULTURAL ZONE DISTRICTS. FOR LOTS
THAT ARE ONE (1) ACRE IN SIZE OR LARGER, UP TO THREE (3) ROOSTERS ARE PERMITTED IN RESIDENTIAL AND AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS. ROOSTERS ARE
NOT PERMITTED IN ANY OTHER ZONE DISTRICTS.
C. Poultry houses and pigeon coops, or the portions of these and other structures
used to house or provide shelter for small animals, shall not exceed four hundred
(400) square feet of ground floor area nor twelve (12) feet in height.
D. Hutches for small animals shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet of
ground floor area with a maximum of two (2) floors or levels.
E. Maximum ground floor areas for small animals or poultry set forth above may be
increased by fifty (50) percent for each acre in addition to the minimum lot size for
the zone district.
F. All houses, coops, hutches or portions of these and other structures housing or
providing shelter for small animals shall be located other than in a front yard, shall be set back at least fifteen (15) feet from side and rear property lines, and shall be
no closer than thirty (30) feet from a residence or other main structure on an
adjacent property.
G. THE RAISING OR KEEPING OF SWINE IS PROHIBITED IN ALL ZONE DISTRICTS
WITH THE CITY. THIS PROHIBITION SHALL NOT APPLY TO POTBELLIED PIGS WHICH MUST COMPLY WITH SECTION 4-14.
H. The accumulation of animal waste to the extent that such becomes a nuisance to
surrounding properties is prohibited, as regulated by chapter 15 of this Code of Laws.
I. The legal, nonconforming keeping of such animals may be continued so long as such keeping of animals remains otherwise lawful; except where such keeping of
animals is discontinued for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days or more, then
said keeping of animals must conform to the provisions hereof or must cease.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after final publication, as provided by Section 5.11 of the Charter.
INTRODUCED, READ, AND ADOPTED on first reading by a vote of ___ to ___ on this 23rd
day of March 2026, ordered published by title in a newspaper of general circulation in
the City of Wheat Ridge and in full on the City’s website, and Public Hearing and
consideration on final passage set for April 13, 2026 at 6:30p.m., in the Council Chambers, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
READ, ADOPTED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED on second and final reading by a vote of
___ to ___, this 13th day of April 2026.
SIGNED by the Mayor on this _____ day of ____________, 2026.
________________________________
Korey Stites, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________
Janeece Hoppe, City Clerk
Approved as to Form
_________________________
Gerald E. Dahl, City Attorney
First Publication: March 24, 2026
Second Publication: April 14, 2026
Effective Date: April 29, 2026
Published: Jeffco Transcript and www.ci.wheatridge.co.us