Housing, leases and the Colorado breed-insurance law

Signed on May 22, 2025 and effective August 6, 2025, HB25-1207 says an insurer may not refuse to insure, or raise the premium on, a homeowners or dwelling fire policy because of a dog's breed or mix of breeds. The protection applies to residential structures occupied by an owner or a renter.

There is a limit. The rule does not apply when a particular dog is known to be dangerous or has been declared dangerous. A policy can also carry liability limits and terms that are unrelated to breed, so ask how dog-bite claims are handled. NerdWallet explains how dog-bite coverage typically works.

The bite statute linked on our law page exempts injuries to people on property clearly marked with "no trespassing" or "beware of dog" signs. A sign is not a substitute for a gate that latches and a dog that is controlled, and it does not cancel other legal claims. Ask a Colorado attorney how it would apply to you.

HB25-1207 also tells affordable housing financed under the Colorado Housing Act of 1970 to let tenants keep one or two dogs or cats, subject to reasonable conditions. For other rentals, condominiums and homeowner associations, the controlling document is the lease or covenants, so read them before you commit. We found no statewide rule that sets weight or breed limits for those.

• Ask for the pet clause or covenant in writing.
• Confirm whether the limit counts breed, weight or both.
• Ask whether a deposit or monthly pet charge applies, and get the amount in the lease.
• Find out who is responsible if a guest is bitten.

CPW says an outdoor pet should be in a fully enclosed kennel where wildlife is a concern, and Denver's rule for intact dogs sets a six-foot minimum fence height without wrought iron. Neither is a general fence code, but both show that agencies care about secure enclosures.