Enforcement.
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 8-4
in effectSec. 8-4. - Enforcement.
(a) Animal protection officers shall have the power and duty to enforce all provisions of this chapter or any other provision of this Code pertaining to animals.
(b) Animal protection officers are hereby designated as peace officers and shall be authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter, or any other provision of this Code pertaining to animals, and to make all determinations within their discretion required by the provisions of this chapter or other applicable law.
(c) It shall be lawful for an animal protection officer to go upon private property to capture any animal to be impounded for, or to investigate any report of, a violation of this chapter if:
(1) The officer has obtained consent of the person in possession of the property;
(2) The officer has obtained a valid search warrant;
(3) The officer is in pursuit of an animal which the officer has probable cause to believe has bitten a person; or
(4) The officer is attempting to abate a continuing violation, involving a substantial risk to the health or safety of the public or of the animal, when the owner of the property is not available;
Nothing in subsections (3), or (4) of this section shall be deemed to authorize entry into any enclosed building on private property.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (c)(2) of this section, if the animal protection officer has probable 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 animal protection 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 animal protection officer shall first present proper credentials to the owner or occupant of the property or vehicle and demand entry, explaining his reasons therefor and the purpose of the inspection.
(Ord. No. 672-18, § 1, 7-16-18)
Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH8AN_ARTIINGE_S8-4ENFetched: 10/27/2026