Branding and Herding

C.R.S. tit. 35, art. 43
in effect

C.R.S. § 35-43-101 Brands on livestock - evidence

35-43-101. Brands on livestock - evidence. It is lawful to mark cattle and horses with the owner's brand. When animals are brought into this state from another state or a territory in transit from beyond the boundaries of this state, the brand, or a copy thereof, duly certified to by the proper officer in each state or territory, shall be received in evidence, with like force and effect as a brand duly recorded in this state.

C.R.S. § 35-43-102 Branding - evidence of ownership - penalty

35-43-102. Branding - evidence of ownership - penalty. Animals which are usually branded may be branded on either side with the owner's brand. No evidence of ownership by brands shall be permitted in any court in this state unless the brands are recorded as provided in section 35-43-105. Each drove of cattle or sheep which may be driven into or through any county of this state shall be plainly branded or marked with one uniform brand or mark. The cattle shall be so branded with the distinguishing ranch or road brand of the owner as to show distinctly in such places as the owner may adopt. Sheep shall be marked distinctly with such mark or device as may be sufficient to distinguish the same readily, should they become intermixed with other flocks of sheep owned in the state. Any such owner or person in charge of such drove being driven into or through the state who fails to comply with the provisions of this article shall be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than three hundred dollars.

C.R.S. § 35-43-103 Earmarks

35-43-103. Earmarks. Any stock grower of this state may adopt and use an earmark. Such earmark shall be taken in evidence, in connection with the owner's recorded brand, in all suits at law or in equity in which the title to stock is involved. The earmark shall be made by cutting and shaping the ear of the animal so marked; but in no case shall the person so marking an animal cut off more than one-half of the ear so marked; neither shall anyone mark by cutting an ear on both sides to a point.

C.R.S. § 35-43-104 Brand distinctions - recording office

35-43-104. Brand distinctions - recording office. No brand shall be used by more than one person, association, or corporation, nor shall any brand be recorded in this state elsewhere than in the office of the state board of stock inspection commissioners, except as provided in section 35-43-107.

C.R.S. § 35-43-105 Fee to record brands - unlawful use - penalty

35-43-105. Fee to record brands - unlawful use - penalty. (1) Any person, association, or corporation desiring to adopt a brand, not then being the recorded brand of another person, association, or corporation, shall forward to the state board of stock inspection commissioners a facsimile of the desired brand, together with a written application to adopt such brand, and shall accompany the same with a fee in an amount determined by the board by rule. Upon receipt of the facsimile and fee, the board shall record the brand, unless the brand stands of record as or is in conflict with that of some other person, association, or corporation, in which case the board shall not record the brand but shall return the facsimile to the forwarding party. (2) It is unlawful for any person, association, or corporation to brand or cause to be branded any livestock with a brand which has not been recorded with the state board of stock inspection commissioners, as provided in subsection (1) of this section, or with a brand which has been previously recorded by another person, association, or corporation. When any owner of a recorded brand in use in this state moves his cattle, branded with his own brand, to a new and different range or locality in this state within which territory there is in use a conflicting or similar recorded brand, the state board of stock inspection commissioners may order such recorded brand owner so moving to a new range or locality to discontinue the use of his recorded brand in that locality; and the board, at its discretion, may cancel such brand ordered to be so discontinued. (3) Any person, association, or corporation or any employee thereof who violates any of the provisions of subsection (2) of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor.

C.R.S. § 35-43-106 Certified copy of brand - fee

35-43-106. Certified copy of brand - fee. Upon the recording of any brand, the owner thereof shall be entitled to one certified copy of the record of such brand from the state board of stock inspection commissioners, the certificate to be signed by the brand commissioner or the secretary of the board. Additional certified copies of said record may be obtained by anyone upon the payment of one dollar for each copy.

C.R.S. § 35-43-107 Recording by county clerk and recorder

35-43-107. Recording by county clerk and recorder. It is unlawful for the county clerk and recorder of any county in this state to record any brand, unless previously recorded in the office of the state board of stock inspection commissioners.

C.R.S. § 35-43-108 Brand book

35-43-108. Brand book. It is the duty of the state board of stock inspection commissioners, from time to time as it may be necessary, to cause to be published in book form a list of all brands on record at the time of such publication. The board, at its discretion, may cause to be issued a supplement to the brand book issued, containing the additional brands or changes in ownership of brands between the time of the last publication and the time of issuing such supplement, for the use of the department and its employees. Such brand book and supplements thereto shall contain a facsimile of every brand recorded, together with the owner's name and post-office address. Said records shall be arranged in convenient form for reference. Said books and supplements may be sold to the general public at approximate cost. The brand book and other publications circulated in quantity outside the executive branch shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of section 24-1-136, C.R.S.

C.R.S. § 35-43-109 Brands personal property - recording by board - rules - effect

35-43-109. Brands personal property - recording by board - rules - effect. Any brand recorded shall be the property of the person, association, or corporation causing such record to be made and shall be subject to sale, assignment, transfer, devise, and descent as personal property. Instruments of writing evidencing the sale of such brand, assignment, or transfer shall be recorded by the state board of stock inspection commissioners, and the fee for recording such sale, assignment, or transfer shall be in an amount determined by the board by rule. The recording of such instruments of writing shall have the same force and effect as to third parties as the recording of instruments affecting real estate, and a certified copy of the record of any such instrument may be introduced in evidence the same as is provided for the certified copies of instruments affecting real estate.

C.R.S. § 35-43-110 Proof of ownership - evidence

35-43-110. Proof of ownership - evidence. In all suits at law or in equity or in any criminal proceeding when the title to animals is involved or proper to be proved, the certified copy provided for in section 35-43-106 shall be prima facie evidence of the ownership of such animal by the person whose brand it may be. Proof of the right of any person, association, or corporation to use such brand shall be made by a copy of the record of same, certified to by the state board of stock inspection commissioners by its secretary or the brand commissioner.

C.R.S. § 35-43-111 Earmarking sheep and hogs

35-43-111. Earmarking sheep and hogs. Any owner of sheep or hogs may use an earmark, tag, or brand to designate ownership of and title to the same, which shall be subject to the provisions of this article in respect to brands.

C.R.S. § 35-43-112 Other animals - earmarks

35-43-112. Other animals - earmarks. Owners of animals other than sheep or hogs in this state may use earmarks, and these earmarks shall be taken in evidence in connection with the owner's recorded brand in all suits at law or in equity or in any criminal proceedings when the title to such property is involved or proper to be proved.

C.R.S. § 35-43-113 Publication of brands and transfers

35-43-113. Publication of brands and transfers. Upon the first of every month or as soon thereafter as possible, the state board of stock inspection commissioners shall cause to be exhibited in the office of the county clerk and recorder in all counties in the state and post, when permissible, in Colorado licensed livestock markets a list showing all the brands and transfers recorded for the previous calendar month. Said list shall show a facsimile of the brand, the name of the owner, and the owner's post-office address, county, and state. The list shall remain posted until the following month when the new list is posted. Complete brand records shall be kept on file for inspection by the public at the office of each county clerk and recorder, and also kept on file by all local brand inspectors. The list shall also be published in the official state livestock paper or publication required under section 35-44-109.

C.R.S. § 35-43-114 Fees - disposition - report

35-43-114. Fees - disposition - report. All fees and money collected by the state board of stock inspection commissioners shall be deposited in the brand inspection fund unless otherwise provided by law. The board shall prepare and transmit annually, in the form and manner prescribed by the heads of the principal departments pursuant to the provisions of section 24-1-136, C.R.S., a report accounting to the governor for the efficient discharge of all responsibilities assigned by law or directive to the board.

C.R.S. § 35-43-115 Assessment of brands - rules

35-43-115. Assessment of brands - rules. (1) (a) To revise and disencumber the brand records of unused brands and to provide revenues with which to publish new brand books and otherwise assist in the operational cost of the division of brand inspection, the state board of stock inspection commissioners has the authority to impose an assessment and, when applicable, a late fee in an amount determined by the board by rule on every brand recorded in the office of the board on or before January 1, 2002, to cover the five-year period beginning on January 1, 2002, and ending on December 31, 2006, and like assessments covering every five years thereafter; except that, notwithstanding any other requirement of this section: (I) The board may temporarily change the period of a brand's assessment to one, two, three, or four years so that approximately equal numbers of brands are subsequently assessed for five-year periods in each successive five-year period; and (II) If the period of an assessment is changed pursuant to subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a): (A) The fee for the shortened assessment period shall be proportionately decreased; and (B) The subsequent assessment period shall revert to five years. (b) It is the duty of the board to notify every owner of a recorded brand of the assessment authorized by paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) through the United States mail by letter addressed to the owner at the owner's post-office address as given in the brand records. The assessment shall be due and payable within ninety days after January 1 of the assessment year. If any owner of a recorded brand fails or refuses to pay the assessment within the ninety days, the board may mail a second notice by certified mail and impose a late fee. If, within ninety days after the second mailing, any owner of a recorded brand fails or refuses to pay such assessment and late fee, the brand shall be canceled from the valid registry of livestock brands in the office of the board and may be reissued and recorded as a new brand after the expiration of three years from the date of such cancellation. The board shall give a receipt for any such payment. (2) Repealed. (3) As to any brand recorded prior to the beginning of any assessment period, the state board of stock inspection commissioners shall require one payment of all assessments for the entire five-year period. As to any brand recorded on or after the commencement of any assessment period, the state board of stock inspection commissioners shall make the assessment for the year or fractional part of the year in which the brand is recorded and for the remaining years within that five-year period and shall require one payment of all such assessments. (4) All moneys collected by the state board of stock inspection commissioners from brand assessments shall be credited to a separate account within the brand inspection fund to be known as the brand assessment account. All moneys credited to such account and all interest earned on investments from moneys credited to such account shall be a part of the brand assessment account and shall be available for appropriation by the general assembly for purposes provided by law.

C.R.S. § 35-43-115.5 Abandoned brands - procedure - sale - proceeds

35-43-115.5. Abandoned brands - procedure - sale - proceeds. (1) Any brand that has been canceled for nonpayment of the assessment pursuant to section 35-43-115 (1) and that, as of June 30 of any assessment year, has remained unclaimed for at least five years since the date of cancellation shall be presumed abandoned, and all claims or interests in such brand shall be deemed forfeited. (2) In accordance with the "State Administrative Procedure Act", article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., the state board of stock inspection commissioners shall adopt rules governing the publication and sale of abandoned brands. Such rules shall include, without limitation, provisions for the publication of a notice of abandoned brands and procedures for the public sale of such brands. (3) The purchaser of an abandoned brand at a public sale shall take all rights to the brand free and clear of all liens and encumbrances of the prior owner or of any other person. The state board of stock inspection commissioners shall provide all documents necessary to effectuate the transfer of ownership of the brand. (4) The proceeds of the sale of an abandoned brand, net of expenses of the sale, shall be credited to the brand assessment account in the brand inspection fund.

C.R.S. § 35-43-116 Wrongful branding - penalty

35-43-116. Wrongful branding - penalty. If any person, association, or corporation willfully and knowingly brands, or causes to be branded, an animal which is the property of another with his or her brand or any brand which is not the recorded brand of the owner or willfully and knowingly effaces, defaces, or obliterates any brand or mark upon such an animal, such person or any officer or director of any such association or corporation commits a class 6 felony and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-401, C.R.S.

C.R.S. § 35-43-117 Use of false brand - damages

35-43-117. Use of false brand - damages. Any person who brands or marks, or causes to be branded or marked, any animal which is the property of another with his brand or any brand which is not the recorded brand of the owner or effaces, defaces, or obliterates any brand or mark upon any animal is guilty of theft and, upon conviction thereof, shall be liable to the owner thereof for three times the value of the animal so branded or marked or upon which the brand or mark has been effaced, defaced, or obliterated. Payment of the forfeiture provided in this section shall not entitle the person so branding, effacing, defacing, or obliterating a brand to the property right in the animal so branded or upon which the brand was effaced, defaced, or obliterated, but such animal shall be surrendered to the proper owner.

C.R.S. § 35-43-118 Maverick defined - branding penalty

35-43-118. Maverick defined - branding penalty. (1) All neat cattle and horses found running at large in this state without a mother and upon which there is neither mark nor brand shall be deemed a maverick and shall be sold to the highest bidder for cash at such time and place and under such rules and orders as the state board of stock inspection commissioners prescribes. Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to domestic or blooded stock owned and kept in cities or towns or on private farms that may stray upon the open range, and all such animals that are claimed, identified, and proven may be reclaimed. (2) Any person who marks, brands, or causes to be marked or branded, or in any way converts to the person's use any animal known and designated by law as a maverick, if not by law authorized to do so, or who knowingly allows such marking, branding, or conversion, as is prohibited by this section, to be done by the person's employee or agent in the person's behalf commits a class 2 misdemeanor.

C.R.S. § 35-43-119 Stock mixed with drove - penalty

35-43-119. Stock mixed with drove - penalty. When the stock of any resident intermixes with any drove of animals, it is the duty of any drovers or persons in charge to cut out and separate such stock from said drove immediately, except in case of sheep and horses, which shall be driven to the nearest suitable corral to be separated. Any person, either owner or drover, or otherwise connected with the management of such drove, who neglects to comply with the provisions of this section, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars for every offense, and shall be liable to indictment for theft.

C.R.S. § 35-43-120 Trespassing on lands - injuring resident - penalty

35-43-120. Trespassing on lands - injuring resident - penalty. (1) It is the duty of any person owning or having charge of any drove of cattle, horses, or sheep, who when driving the same into or through any county of Colorado of which the owner is not a resident or landowner and where the land in such county is occupied and improved by settlers and ranchers, to prevent the same from mixing with the cattle, horses, or sheep belonging to the actual settlers and also to prevent said drove of cattle, horses, or sheep from trespassing on such land as may be the property or in the possession of the actual settler and used by him for the grazing of animals or the growing of hay or other crops or from doing injury to ditches. (2) Any owner or person in charge of any such drove of stock who willfully injures any resident of the state by driving such drove of stock from the public highway and herding the same is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars. The owner or person in charge of the drove so trespassing shall be liable for the damages done to the settler.

C.R.S. § 35-43-123 Thoroughbred rams must be herded

35-43-123. Thoroughbred rams must be herded. It is the duty of any owner or agent of any owner of thoroughbred rams of any description to herd them or keep them enclosed. Any owner or agent who refuses to comply with the provisions of this section commits a civil infraction.

C.R.S. § 35-43-124 Fines paid into school fund

35-43-124. Fines paid into school fund. Any fines arising from a violation of section 35-43-123 shall be paid into the school fund of the county in which such violation occurs.

C.R.S. § 35-43-125 No hogs to run at large

35-43-125. No hogs to run at large. No hog or swine shall be permitted to run at large, and the owner of any hog or swine trespassing on the property of any person is liable in treble the damages occasioned by such trespass and a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than ten dollars for each offense.

C.R.S. § 35-43-126 Dog worrying stock

35-43-126. Dog worrying stock. Any dog found running, worrying, or injuring sheep, cattle, or other livestock may be killed, and the owner or harborer of such dog shall be liable for all damages done by it.

C.R.S. § 35-43-127 Skinning carcass without right

35-43-127. Skinning carcass without right. Any person who skins or removes from the carcass any part of the skin, hide, or pelt of any cattle or sheep without permission from the owner is guilty of theft and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished in the manner provided by law for the punishment of theft. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the skinning of animals killed by railroad companies by the employees of any railroad company by which such stock may have been killed.

C.R.S. § 35-43-128 Theft of certain animals - penalty

35-43-128. Theft of certain animals - penalty. Any person who commits theft of, or knowingly kills, sells, drives, leads, transports, or rides away, or in any manner deprives the owner of the immediate possession of any cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, swine, or asses, either live or slaughtered, or any portion of the slaughtered carcass thereof, or any person who commits theft of, or knowingly kills, sells, drives, leads, transports, or rides away, or in any manner applies to the person's own use any cattle, horses, mules, goats, sheep, asses, or swine, either live or slaughtered, or any portion of the slaughtered carcass thereof, the owner of which is unknown, or any person who knowingly purchases from anyone not having the lawful right to sell and dispose of the same any cattle, horses, mules, sheep, goats, swine, or asses, either live or slaughtered, or any portion of the slaughtered carcass thereof, commits a class 4 felony and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-401, C.R.S.

C.R.S. § 35-43-129 Branding of calves required - exceptions

35-43-129. Branding of calves required - exceptions. (1) It is unlawful for any person, company, or corporation to sell, offer for sale, slaughter, or move, either within the state or to a destination outside of Colorado, any calf under weaning age that is not branded with a Colorado recorded brand of the owner of the mother cow. A brand upon any calf shall be past the peeling state at the time that a calf is sold, offered for sale, slaughtered, or moved, except in the following cases: (a) When the calf is accompanied by its branded ownership-proven mother; (b) When the calf is accompanied by a current brand certificate issued by a duly authorized Colorado brand inspector after inspection at a time when such calf is with its branded ownership-proven mother; (c) When the calf is a registered purebred breed or pure dairy breed, but this exception shall not apply to a crossbred calf. (2) Any person, company, or corporation whose principal operation consists of feeding cattle for slaughter or operating a dairy may apply to the state board of stock inspection commissioners for a permit authorizing such person, company, or corporation to sell or offer for sale a calf under ten days old, which was born at the dairy or in the feed lot, without meeting the requirements of subsection (1) of this section. Such application shall be accompanied by a description of the operation. Upon determining that the applicant is qualified, the board shall issue a numbered permit to the applicant. Any calf under ten days old which is sold or offered for sale shall have affixed an eartag, supplied by the board, which bears the applicant's permit number. A calf sold under the provisions of this subsection (2) shall be accompanied by a duly executed bill of sale containing the owner's permit number and signed by the dairy owner or the feed lot owner. (3) If a Colorado brand inspector is called to inspect an unbranded or freshly branded calf with its mother, any mileage expense shall be paid by the owner in addition to any brand inspection fee. (4) Any person, company, or corporation who violates any of the provisions of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor. (5) Unbranded calves subject to this article, when found by brand inspectors at public livestock markets or at shipping points, shall be handled as estrays or questionable ownership livestock according to sections 35-43-118 and 35-53-107.

C.R.S. § 35-43-130 Cattle in feedlots

35-43-130. Cattle in feedlots. (1) A Colorado brand inspector shall inspect all cattle entering a Colorado custom feedlot for feeding under a custom contract if the cattle are not accompanied by a brand certificate or valid documentation of purchase listing all brands, or no brands. In addition, all cattle entering Colorado for grazing purposes under a leased grazing agreement, owned by a nonresident, shall also be inspected by a duly authorized Colorado brand inspector. The brand inspector shall issue a certificate of inspection to the proven owner and a copy of such certificate to the custom feedlot operator or ranch manager after ownership is established and before the cattle are mixed with any other cattle or turned loose for grazing. Upon completion of the inspection, said inspector shall collect an inspection fee in the amount prescribed by the state board of stock inspection commissioners pursuant to section 35-41-104. If the cattle are carrying more than two consistent brands, the owner shall mark or brand all of his cattle with the same brand, with one of the two existing brands, with a brand of valid registry of the owner, with an ear tag specifically identifying each animal to a specific feedlot, or otherwise identify the cattle as prescribed by the board. Evidence of this brand or permanent mark shall be shown on the certificate of inspection in addition to brands or no brands found on the inspected cattle for future reference of valid proven ownership. When ear tags are utilized, each ear tag shall be legible and at least one inch in height and two inches in width. (2) Any lessee, lessor, commercial feedlot owner, or established livestock owner who violates any of the provisions of this section commits a petty offense and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-503.

C.R.S. § 35-43-201 Definitions

35-43-201. Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Board" means the state board of stock inspection commissioners, created in section 35-41-101. (2) "Department" means the Colorado department of agriculture, created in section 24-1-123, C.R.S. (3) "Livestock" means all cattle, calves, horses, mules, and donkeys.

C.R.S. § 35-43-202 Brand inspections - custom processing houses - packing plants - feedlots - acceptable forms of evidence - rules

35-43-202. Brand inspections - custom processing houses - packing plants - feedlots - acceptable forms of evidence - rules. (1) The board may, during regular business hours, inspect the records, brands, bills of sale, hides, horns, and other items related to proving ownership of or ascertaining the identity of slaughtered livestock at any custom processing house or packing plant licensed by the department or by the United States department of agriculture. (2) Pursuant to its authority under section 35-41-101 (3), the board may adopt rules in furtherance of this part 2, including rules governing record keeping, contact information, the contents of bills of sale and other records of transfers of livestock or carcasses, the mixing of inspected and uninspected livestock, hide retention, hide exhibition, and brand inspection. (3) No person shall slaughter any livestock purchased in Colorado that have not been inspected for brands by an authorized Colorado brand inspector immediately prior to slaughter.

C.R.S. § 35-43-203 Requirements for slaughterer business

35-43-203. Requirements for slaughterer business. (1) Every person carrying on the trade or business of a slaughterer of livestock in this state: (a) Shall maintain an established place of business; (b) Shall not slaughter livestock on the open range; (c) Shall require from all sellers of livestock a bill of sale that gives a complete description of each animal so sold and purchased including marks, brands, age, weight, name of person from whom it was purchased or otherwise acquired, date, and place of purchase or acquisition; (d) Shall keep a true record of all livestock purchased or slaughtered, and of any carcass or part of a carcass purchased, in one or more special books kept for such purposes. Such records shall include a complete description of each such animal or carcass, including the approximate age and weight, breed and color, fire brands, earmarks, and any other identifying characteristics and the date of purchase and from whom such animal, carcass, or part of carcass was purchased. (e) Shall keep the hide and horns of each animal slaughtered for inspection for a period of thirty days after it is slaughtered except when written permission for sale or destruction of the same is given by a regular or special brand inspector prior to expiration of said period. A certified copy of the bill of sale shall accompany the hide when it is offered for sale. (f) Shall require any person from whom he or she purchases the carcass or any part thereof, not inspected by a state brand inspector immediately prior to slaughter, to exhibit the hide as provided in section 35-43-207; (g) Shall not receive any carcass or part of a carcass for storage unless each hide has been inspected and all meat stamped, if required, by the brand commissioner. This paragraph (g) shall not apply to any person who slaughters livestock that are officially inspected by the state brand inspector immediately prior to slaughter. (h) Shall not mix any cattle that are uninspected for brands by an authorized Colorado brand inspector with any livestock that have been inspected by a Colorado brand inspector just prior to slaughter.

C.R.S. § 35-43-204 Investigations

35-43-204. Investigations. The board may investigate possible violations of this part 2 on the basis of a complaint or when the board has other reasonable grounds to believe that any person has violated any such provision.

C.R.S. § 35-43-205 Exemption - limitation

35-43-205. Exemption - limitation. Every person carrying on the trade or business of a slaughterer of livestock in this state who is exempt from section 35-43-203 (1)(g) shall not slaughter any livestock purchased in Colorado that have not been inspected for brands by an authorized Colorado brand inspector immediately prior to slaughter.

C.R.S. § 35-43-206 Records - hides - open to public view

35-43-206. Records - hides - open to public view. The record provided for in section 35-43-203 (1)(d) and also the hide shall be open to the inspection of all persons for a period of thirty days, and it is unlawful for any slaughterer to refuse to permit such inspection or examination.

C.R.S. § 35-43-207 Sales by persons other than slaughterers - requirements

35-43-207. Sales by persons other than slaughterers - requirements. It is unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale or to possess, except as specifically provided in this article or in article 33 of this title, a carcass of livestock or any portion of such carcass without first exhibiting the hide intact and exposing the brand upon the hide, if any, to the purchaser. It is the duty of any such person selling or offering for sale any such carcass of livestock to preserve the hide of the same for a period of thirty days, unless the hide from such a carcass of livestock has been previously inspected and released by a duly authorized Colorado brand inspector, and to exhibit the same for inspection upon demand of any person.

C.R.S. § 35-43-208 Person killing for own use

35-43-208. Person killing for own use. Unless the hide has been previously inspected and released by a duly authorized Colorado brand inspector, it is unlawful for any person to possess or to kill livestock to obtain any part of the animal for his or her own use without preserving the hide of such animal intact with a complete unskinned tail attached thereto for a period of not less than thirty days, during which period the hide shall be presented upon the demand of any person.

C.R.S. § 35-43-209 When hides admitted as evidence

35-43-209. When hides admitted as evidence. If a hide is subsequently produced by or on behalf of a person who has butchered any livestock alleged to have been stolen and is claimed to be the hide of the animal killed, the hide shall be exhibited as soon as possible for inspection to the sheriff of the county in which the animal was butchered. No such hide shall be admitted in evidence nor shall evidence to identify such hide with the animal alleged to be stolen be received until the prosecution is given such reasonable opportunity as may be fixed by court to examine the hide and compare it with the meat.

C.R.S. § 35-43-210 Inspection of hide

35-43-210. Inspection of hide. The sheriff or deputy sheriff of any county in this state and any regular or special brand inspector appointed by the board are hereby authorized and empowered to require any person who kills for his or her own use and consumption any livestock to produce for inspection the hide of any such livestock that has been killed within thirty days unless the livestock has been inspected and tagged prior to such demand for inspection. In the absence of the owner or proper corporate officer, the person in charge of the premises where the meat then is shall produce the hide for inspection upon demand.

C.R.S. § 35-43-211 Grounds for search warrant

35-43-211. Grounds for search warrant. If a person who, within thirty days, has killed any livestock or, in that person's absence, the person in charge of the premises where the livestock was killed fails or refuses to produce the hide of the livestock, any sheriff, deputy, or regular brand inspector may seize and take possession of the meat of such livestock and hold the meat until the hide is produced and, before or after the seizure of the meat, may seek a search warrant for the theft of livestock and the meat thereof as the property of an unknown owner. The failure to produce such hide upon demand shall be sufficient grounds upon which to base the affidavit for the search warrant, and the procedure on complaint for a search warrant shall be as provided in part 3 of article 3 of title 16, C.R.S.

C.R.S. § 35-43-212 Violations - penalties

35-43-212. Violations - penalties. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this part 2, any person violating this part 2 commits a petty offense and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-503. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this part 2, any person that violates this part 2 within three years after a previous violation of this part 2 by that same person commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501. (3) A person who unlawfully butchers an animal belonging to another person commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501.

C.R.S. § 35-43-213 Brand inspection - certificate - evidence

35-43-213. Brand inspection - certificate - evidence. (1) Any livestock purchased for slaughter in Colorado from any source shall be inspected for brands and other identifying marks and a certificate issued by a brand inspector at the point of origin. Until the time of such inspection and certification, the person purchasing livestock shall hold the uninspected livestock separately and shall be responsible for the value of the livestock and the brand inspection fee until inspected and a certificate issued by a Colorado brand inspector. (2) The only evidence of inspection at point of origin acceptable under this section shall be either the brand certificate issued and signed by the brand inspector who made the inspection or a current account of sale, showing the brands or other identifying characteristics carried by the livestock and issued by a custom meat processor licensed by the department or a packing plant licensed by the United States department of agriculture. Livestock purchased by private contract in states where brand inspection is not maintained shall be accompanied by a bill of sale showing brands and other identifying characteristics signed by the seller or the seller's agent and witnessed by the buyer or the buyer's agent. (3) Cattle fed by packers, either in their individual feed lots or in commercial feed lots, are subject to this article.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-35.docxFetched: 10/6/2026

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