Is Colorado dog friendly?

We analyzed 223 cities across Colorado. By default, we surface the strongest cities with at least 10,000 residents, then let you switch to the full statewide ranking.

✅State Preemption Law Active: Local cities in Colorado are legally banned from enacting breed-specific legislation against your dog.

State Average Score

C+

53/100

Paw Score™

Top representative city: Longmont (A+)

Derived strictly from local government data

Statewide Vet Density

3.2clinics / 10k people

Avg Walkable Days

199days without extreme weather

BSL Restricted Cities

0known local breed bans

Data Journalist Analysis

The Leaderboard Disparity

When comparing 70 representative cities (10k+ residents) in Colorado, the leaderboard works best as a relative comparison surface, not a blanket relocation recommendation. Longmont is the strongest performer in this 70 representative cities (10k+ residents) set with a Paw Score Grade of A+, helped by 199 walkable days per year and comparatively strong veterinary access. Erie still trails this comparison set at C-, which matters because a state-level laggard is not always a disaster city so much as a place with thinner margins for dog owners.

The Hidden Pet Tax

The economic reality of renting with a dog in Colorado fluctuates wildly depending on the municipality. While the state median for pet rent sits around $62/mo, moving to a high-demand area like The Pinery can push this implicit pet tax up to $109/mo. This doesn't even account for non-refundable localized pet deposits.

Safety & Legislative Climate

Colorado has a statewide BSL preemption law. That generally limits local governments from adopting new breed bans, which reduces policy risk for owners of commonly targeted breeds. Housing rules, enforcement practices, and older local language can still vary, so local verification still matters.

Ranked Cities in Colorado

Defaulting to cities with at least 10,000 residents so the leaderboard feels representative. Switch to the full statewide ranking any time.

223 cities audited

Showing the first 70 of 70 representative cities in Colorado.

State Rank	City	Paw Score	Walkable Days	Pet Rent	Vet / 10K	Population
#1	Longmont	A+	199	$61	9.02	98,958
#2	Boulder	A	199	$67	9.02	106,274
#3	Lafayette	A	199	$71	9.02	30,471
#4	Gunbarrel	A	199	$67	9.02	10,424
#5	Louisville	A	199	$72	9.02	20,788
#6	Fort Collins	A-	199	$58	7.25	169,705
#7	Superior	A-	199	$82	9.02	13,136
#8	Loveland	A-	199	$59	7.25	77,350
#9	Johnstown	A-	199	$62	7.25	18,075
#10	Broomfield	B+	199	$73	5.68	75,110
#11	Grand Junction	B+	193	$39	4.54	67,027
#12	Clifton	B	193	$36	4.54	19,746
#13	Rifle	B	175	$43	5.19	10,466
#14	Lakewood	B	199	$61	5.74	156,309
#15	Wheat Ridge	B	199	$52	5.74	32,158
#16	Steamboat Springs	B	199	$67	4.63	13,341
#17	Arvada	B	199	$63	5.74	122,835
#18	Cañon City	B	199	$33	3.35	17,098
#19	Westminster	B	199	$64	5.74	115,546
#20	Castle Rock	B	192	$68	5.89	76,614
#21	Fruita	B	199	$45	4.54	13,578
#22	Colorado Springs	B-	188	$55	4.66	483,099
#23	Parker	B-	192	$69	5.89	60,115
#24	Wellington	B-	170	$81	7.25	11,538
#25	Glenwood Springs	B-	175	$60	5.19	10,171
#26	Denver	B-	186	$62	4.75	713,734
#27	Golden	B-	199	$65	5.74	20,467
#28	Greeley	B-	199	$47	3.9	109,421
#29	Ken Caryl	B-	199	$68	5.74	33,407
#30	Lone Tree	B-	192	$71	5.89	14,136
#31	Montrose	B-	189	$39	2.85	20,703
#32	Highlands Ranch	C+	192	$84	5.89	101,437
#33	Cimarron Hills	C+	188	$50	4.66	18,808
#34	Dakota Ridge	C+	199	$74	5.74	34,159
#35	Durango	C+	155	$55	4.92	19,257
#36	Castle Pines	C+	192	$74	5.89	12,573
#37	Black Forest	C+	199	$55	4.66	14,658
#38	Security-Widefield	C+	188	$60	4.66	38,659
#39	Fountain	C+	199	$62	4.66	29,327
#40	Edwards	C+	199	$66	4.59	10,415
#41	Aurora	C+	199	$62	3.78	390,201
#42	Evans	C+	199	$52	3.9	22,265
#43	Englewood	C+	199	$55	3.78	33,774
#44	Columbine	C+	192	$84	5.74	25,681
#45	Windsor	C	199	$62	3.9	35,918
#46	Monument	C	199	$68	4.66	11,035
#47	Fort Carson	C	199	$72	4.66	18,447
#48	Pueblo	C	199	$36	1.67	111,514
#49	Littleton	C	192	$61	3.78	45,092
#50	Berthoud	C	199	$60	3.9	11,684
#51	Fairmount	C	199	$88	5.74	10,521
#52	Four Square Mile	C	199	$63	3.78	21,788
#53	Firestone	C	199	$67	3.9	17,353
#54	Sterling	C	185	$37	1.67	13,273
#55	Centennial	C	192	$72	3.78	107,386
#56	Commerce City	C	185	$57	3.19	64,640
#57	Fort Morgan	C	185	$38	1.53	11,521
#58	Thornton	C	186	$63	3.19	142,878
#59	Sherrelwood	C	199	$57	3.19	19,368
#60	Welby	C	199	$57	3.19	16,232
#61	Northglenn	C	199	$62	3.19	37,953
#62	Federal Heights	C	199	$58	3.19	14,160
#63	Brighton	C	185	$61	3.19	41,196
#64	Pueblo West	C	199	$46	1.67	34,992
#65	Berkley	C	199	$60	3.19	10,838
#66	Cherry Creek	C-	192	$69	3.78	11,011
#67	The Pinery	C-	192	$109	5.89	11,740
#68	Frederick	C-	199	$79	3.9	15,893
#69	Greenwood Village	C-	192	$74	3.78	15,485
#70	Erie	C-	199	$97	3.9	31,927

Frequently Asked Questions

In the default 70 representative cities (10k+ residents) view, Longmont currently ranks first in Colorado. It posts a Paw Score grade of A+, supported by 199 walkable days per year, comparatively solid vet access, and more manageable pet housing costs than many competing cities.

The cost varies, but the median pet rent surcharge across Colorado is approximately $62 per month. This is an extra fee piled onto your base rent, not including the one-time, often non-refundable, pet deposit. Renters with large breeds often face higher fees or outright exclusion in denser metro areas.

Colorado has a statewide Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) preemption law. That generally blocks local governments from adopting new breed bans, but you should still confirm local enforcement and housing rules before moving.