Overview
Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) include provisions for the care of animals. Animals need adequate food, water, protection from the weather, and veterinary care. When investigating allegations of neglect or cruelty, Animal Welfare Officers will first try to inform and educate the owner of the violation and how to remedy the situation. If education is unsuccessful, or in extreme situations, officers may confiscate mistreated animals for their protection and welfare.

C.R.S. § 18-9-202 (1)(a) Cruelty to Animals.
“A person commits cruelty to animals when he or she knowingly or with criminal negligence, overdrives, overloads, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, unnecessarily or cruelly beats, needlessly mutilates, needlessly kills, allows to be housed in a manner that results in chronic or repeated serious physical harm, carries or confines in or upon any vehicles in a cruel or reckless manner, or otherwise mistreats or neglects any animal, or causes or procures it to be done, or having the charge and custody of any animal, fails to provide it with proper food, drink, or protection from the weather consistent with the species, breed, and type of animal involved, or abandons an animal.”