Denver pet owners are largely unaware of – or choose to ignore – the city’s long-standing requirement that they purchase an annual license for their companions, with a minority of dog and cat owners complying with the city’s ordinance.
Dogs and cats must be licensed when they’re at least six months old and within 30 days of moving to Denver, according to city code. Because it’s a requirement, pet owners who don’t comply can receive warnings and even fines, although that’s rare.
As of September, more than 9,500 pet owners had obtained licenses in 2023, according to the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment.
That’s a small fraction of the city’s four-legged population, which Denver Parks and Recreation estimates at more than 150,000 for dogs alone. That puts Denver below the typical compliance rate for pet licensing statewide, which Lt. Josh Rolfe with Denver Animal Protection says is around 15-20% of animals in counties or cities that require licenses.
In neighboring Aurora, compliance is also low – estimated at about 9 percent, city spokesman Michael Brannen said.
Amy Keyes, 41, moved to Denver this year from Buffalo, N.Y., where she previously licensed her dog. Still, she had “no idea” about her new home’s licensing requirements for Rey, her 3-year-old Australian shepherd–husky mix, she said during a recent visit to Zeckenbark Dog Park at 601 Lincoln St.
She said the city could better get the word out by partnering with apartment buildings to mandate the licenses, but “I honestly don’t understand what the need for it is,” Keyes said. “I don’t think it’s necessary.”
But for Denverite Justin Pera, the license requirement ensures that his 1-year-old golden retriever, Zelda, is safe to play with other pets who are also spayed and vaccinated.
