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Fort Collins, Colorado. CGH Injury Lawyers represents dog bite victims across Larimer County.
Fort Collins, Larimer County

Fort Collins Dog Bite Lawyers Who Hold the Owner Responsible

For people seriously hurt by a dog in Fort Collins or anywhere in Larimer County, Colorado law can make the owner liable even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. We serve Fort Collins from our Denver office at 2701 Lawrence St. No fee unless we win.

No fee unless we win
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It's More Than Money.

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Serving Fort Collins from our Denver Office CGH Injury Lawyers 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201 Denver, CO 80205 (303) 209-9395 Se habla espanol
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  • Colorado runs two tracks under C.R.S. 13-21-124. A serious bodily injury triggers strict liability for your economic losses, with no need to prove the Fort Collins owner knew the dog was dangerous.
  • For a less serious bite, and for pain and suffering, you recover under negligence by showing the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)).
  • Most Fort Collins dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner or renter insurance, not out of the owner's pocket. The deadline to file is generally two years from the bite (C.R.S. 13-80-102).

If a dog seriously hurt you in Fort Collins, Laporte, Timnath, or anywhere in Larimer County, state law may make the owner responsible even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. CGH Injury Lawyers serves Fort Collins from our Denver office. We handle the insurance claim, the negotiation, and trial at the District Court in Larimer County Justice Center when an insurer refuses to be fair. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.

The law that governs your case

Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. 13-21-124, decoded for Fort Collins

Colorado does not follow a pure "one bite" rule, and it is not a pure strict-liability state either. The dog bite statute sets up two separate tracks, and which one applies to your Fort Collins case depends almost entirely on how badly you were hurt.

The core of the statute reads: a person who suffers serious bodily injury or death from being bitten by a dog while lawfully on public or private property may bring a civil action to recover economic damages against the dog owner, regardless of the viciousness or dangerous propensities of the dog or the owner's knowledge of them (C.R.S. 13-21-124(2)).

In plain English, two things have to be true for the strict-liability track: your injury has to meet Colorado's definition of serious bodily injury, and you have to have been lawfully on the property where the bite happened. Meet both and the Fort Collins owner is liable for your economic losses, even if the dog had never shown a hint of aggression before. The statute expressly preserves negligence theories as well, which is the path to non-economic damages including pain and suffering (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)).

Strict liability vs. negligence

The two-track liability system in Colorado

The single most important question in a Fort Collins dog bite case is which track applies. One track is far easier to win than the other, and the dividing line is the severity of the injury.

Track 1: Strict liability

  • Applies when the bite causes serious bodily injury or death.
  • You do not have to prove the owner was careless or that the dog had bitten before.
  • The bite itself establishes liability for your economic damages.
  • A first-time bite still counts. The dog's clean history is irrelevant.
  • Recovery under this track is limited to economic damages (C.R.S. 13-21-124(2)).

Track 2: Negligence standard

  • Applies when the injury does not meet the serious bodily injury threshold.
  • You must prove the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous.
  • A prior bite or aggressive behavior is the kind of evidence that proves it.
  • This track is also how non-economic damages like pain and suffering are pursued, since the statute leaves other negligence theories intact (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)).
  • It is a harder case, which is exactly when experienced counsel matters most.

What counts as "serious bodily injury"?

Colorado's dog bite statute borrows its definition of serious bodily injury from the criminal code (C.R.S. 18-1-901(3)(p)). In general terms, it covers injuries that carry a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part, and certain fractures and burns. A facial scar that does not fade, nerve damage that leaves lasting weakness, or a broken bone from an attack are the kinds of injuries that tend to meet it.

Whether a specific injury crosses that line is a legal judgment, not something to assume on your own. We review your medical records against the statutory definition before we tell you which track your Fort Collins case sits on.

Local Knowledge

Fort Collins courts, hospitals, and roads: what your case is built on

A Fort Collins dog bite case lives in Larimer County: the court where it would be filed, the trauma center where your injuries were treated, and the local roads and parks where most attacks happen. Here is the ground we work on.

Courthouse

District Court, Larimer County

Personal injury cases that arise in Fort Collins and Larimer County are filed in the 8th Judicial District's District Court, Larimer County, located at the Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80521. We handle Larimer County District Court cases directly. Most dog bite claims settle before a lawsuit is filed, but where a case would be tried affects local rules, the jury pool, and how insurers price risk when they receive a demand.

Trauma Care

UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center

After a serious Fort Collins dog attack, the most critically injured patients are typically treated at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, a Level III Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons and designated by the State of Colorado, located in Fort Collins. Banner Fort Collins Medical Center holds a Level 4 Trauma Center designation from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Those medical records document the full scope of your injuries, including scarring, nerve damage, and infection, and form the backbone of your damages claim.

Where Attacks Happen

College Avenue, CSU campus, Old Town, and Larimer County trails

Fort Collins, with a population of approximately 170,927, is a dense urban-outdoor mix. U.S. Highway 287 (College Avenue) runs through the city with over 40,000 vehicles per day south of Prospect Road, while Colorado State University's approximately 34,000 students and the Cache la Poudre River corridor generate heavy foot traffic. Dog attacks in this environment happen on sidewalks, apartment complexes, Old Town patios, and Horsetooth Reservoir trails alike. The location of the bite is one of the first things we investigate, because "lawfully on the property" under C.R.S. 13-21-124(4) is determined by the specific facts of where and why you were there.

Why CGH

Why Fort Collins dog bite victims choose CGH Injury Lawyers

Trial-ready attorneys who know the 8th Judicial District, bilingual help, and no fee unless we win. We do not publish dog bite settlement figures, because every bite injury is different and a number on a page tells you nothing about your case. What we offer is the work, not a headline.

The Statute

C.R.S. 13-21-124

For a serious bite anywhere in Larimer County, the owner is strictly liable for your economic damages, even with no prior history. We know exactly which track your case belongs on.

Statewide reach

Serving Fort Collins from Denver.

We handle Larimer County cases from our office at 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205. Consultations are available by phone, video, or in person. There is no need to travel if your injuries make that difficult.

First-Time Bites

No "one bite" excuse.

Colorado rejects the one bite rule for serious injuries. A clean history does not protect the owner.

Who Pays

The insurer, not your neighbor.

Most claims are paid by the owner's homeowner or renter liability coverage, not their personal savings.

Trial-Ready

8 attorneys, prepared for trial in the 8th Judicial District.

Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. Timothy G. Tarr has been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2023. When attorneys are genuinely ready to try a case in Larimer County District Court, insurers respond differently to a demand.

Honest Case Review

We say no when the law says no.

If your situation falls squarely within a statutory exemption under C.R.S. 13-21-124(5), we tell you in the free review rather than sign you up and let the case stall. You deserve that honesty early, for free.

No Win, No Fee

Contingency only.

You pay nothing out of pocket for legal fees. We advance costs and collect only from a settlement or verdict.

After the Bite

What to do after a dog bite in Fort Collins

Take care of your health first, report the bite, protect the evidence, then call before you talk to the insurer. Here is the path we walk with you.

  1. Get medical care immediately

    UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital, the Level III Trauma Center in Fort Collins, and Banner Fort Collins Medical Center, the Level 4 Trauma Center, both treat serious bite injuries. Even a wound that looks minor can carry infection risk and nerve damage. Get examined, and keep every medical record and receipt.

  2. Report the bite to animal control

    Report the bite to Larimer County animal control even if the owner asks you not to. Reporting creates an official record and can feed the local dangerous-dog process. Confirm the specific reporting deadline that applies in Larimer County with an attorney before relying on any particular window.

  3. Document the scene

    Photograph your injuries, the dog, and the location of the attack. Identify the dog and its owner. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Note whether there were "beware of dog" or "no trespassing" signs posted, because the statute at C.R.S. 13-21-124(4) makes your lawful presence a threshold requirement.

  4. Call before the insurer does

    The owner's insurer may call quickly after the incident. Do not give a recorded statement or accept any offer before speaking with us. Call (303) 209-9395 from Fort Collins.

  5. We build your claim

    We confirm which liability track under C.R.S. 13-21-124 fits your injury, locate the owner's homeowner or renter coverage, gather the Larimer County animal control record and any history of the dog, and document the full injury including scarring and any psychological impact.

  6. Negotiate or litigate in Larimer County

    Most cases settle. When insurers refuse a fair offer, we file in the 8th Judicial District's District Court, Larimer County, at 201 LaPorte Avenue, and try your case.

Compensation

What compensation can you recover after a Fort Collins dog bite?

A dog bite is rarely just a medical bill. Colorado law recognizes two broad categories of damages, and which ones you can reach depends on the liability track your case sits on.

Economic damages (no cap)

  • Emergency care, surgery, and follow-up treatment
  • Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for scarring
  • Lost wages and lost earning capacity
  • Future medical and rehabilitation costs
  • Out-of-pocket expenses tied to the attack

Non-economic damages

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and PTSD, common after dog attacks
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Here is a distinction many people miss. The strict-liability track in C.R.S. 13-21-124(2) recovers economic damages only. To recover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, a victim pursues a negligence theory, which the statute expressly leaves available (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)). In a serious injury case, both paths are often pursued together. We structure the claim so that no category of harm you suffered is left on the table. Economic damages, including all medical costs and lost income, are never capped under Colorado law.

Owner defenses

Defenses Fort Collins dog owners use, and how we answer them

The statute lists specific situations where an owner is not liable (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)). Insurers reach for these defenses early. Knowing what each one actually requires is how we keep a valid claim alive.

  1. "You were trespassing"

    The statute protects people lawfully on the property. Colorado defines that broadly to include anyone performing a legal duty, such as a mail carrier or delivery driver, and anyone there by the owner's express or implied invitation (C.R.S. 13-21-124(4)). An open gate or the absence of posted signs can support lawful presence. The statute also bars liability where the property is clearly posted with "no trespassing" or "beware of dog" signs, which is why the precise facts of where and how you were present matter so much to a Fort Collins case.

  2. "You provoked the dog"

    An owner is not liable when the person knowingly provokes the dog (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)(d)). Knowingly is the key word. Petting a dog, walking past it on College Avenue, jogging through a Larimer County park, or reacting to being startled is not provocation. We use witness statements and your own account to keep ordinary, reasonable behavior from being recast as provocation.

  3. "The dog was working"

    The statute carves out dogs used by peace officers or military personnel on duty, and dogs working as hunting, herding, farm, ranch, or predator-control animals on the owner's property (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)). It also exempts bites against veterinary workers, groomers, handlers, and similar professionals acting in their duties. These exemptions are narrow and rarely fit an ordinary household pet biting a visitor in a Fort Collins neighborhood or along a Poudre River trail.

One honest thing we will tell you up front: we do not take dog bite cases we cannot honestly stand behind. If your situation falls squarely within a statutory exemption, we will say so in the free review rather than sign you up and let the case stall. When the law is on your side, we fight hard. When it is not, you deserve to hear that early, for free.

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The hard part of these cases

Filing against the insurance, not your Fort Collins neighbor

The most common reason people hesitate to pursue a dog bite claim is that the owner is a friend, a neighbor, a fellow CSU student, or a relative. Understanding how the money actually moves usually puts that fear to rest.

  • In most cases you file a claim against the owner's homeowner or renter liability coverage, not against their personal savings or assets.
  • Most homeowner and renter policies in Colorado include liability coverage that responds to dog bite claims, though some insurers exclude certain breeds or cap the coverage. We confirm the policy terms before assuming anything.
  • The insurer pays the settlement or judgment up to the policy limits. The point of liability insurance is to protect both the injured person and the policyholder.
  • The insurance company will contest the claim whether the owner is a stranger or someone you love. Having counsel is how you make the insurer meet its obligation in Larimer County.
Questions

Fort Collins dog bite: frequently asked questions

Does the dog have to have bitten someone before for me to have a case in Fort Collins?

No. Colorado rejects the "one bite rule" for serious injuries. Under the strict-liability track in C.R.S. 13-21-124(2), the dog's history is irrelevant if your injury qualifies as serious bodily injury. The Fort Collins owner is liable for your economic damages even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. For less serious injuries, the dog's history matters because you would proceed under a negligence theory that requires showing the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous.

Where would a Fort Collins dog bite lawsuit be filed?

Personal injury cases arising in Fort Collins and Larimer County are filed in the District Court, Larimer County, 8th Judicial District, located at the Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80521. Most dog bite claims settle before a lawsuit is ever filed, but the local court, local rules, and local jury pool all affect how an insurer values a demand. We handle Larimer County District Court cases directly.

Can I recover pain and suffering for a dog bite in Colorado?

Often, yes, but not through the strict-liability track alone. C.R.S. 13-21-124(2) limits the strict-liability claim to economic damages. To recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering, you pursue a negligence theory, which the statute expressly preserves (C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a)). In a serious injury case both paths are commonly pursued together. We structure the Fort Collins claim to reach every category of harm.

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Colorado?

The deadline for most personal injury claims in Colorado, including dog bites, is generally two years from the date of injury (C.R.S. 13-80-102). If the victim is a child, the deadline is tolled and the clock generally does not start until the child turns 18. Even with that extra time, evidence should be preserved early and witness memories fade quickly. It is best to consult an attorney soon after the bite.

Who actually pays a Fort Collins dog bite settlement?

In most cases the owner's homeowner or renter liability insurance pays, not the owner personally. Most Colorado policies include this coverage, though some insurers exclude certain breeds or cap the limits. We confirm the policy terms early so we know what coverage is available before we negotiate.

What counts as serious bodily injury under Colorado's dog bite statute?

Colorado's dog bite statute uses the definition of serious bodily injury from C.R.S. 18-1-901(3)(p). It generally covers injuries that carry a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of a body part, and certain fractures and burns. Facial scarring, nerve damage, and broken bones from an attack are common examples. Whether a particular injury crosses that line is a legal judgment we make after reviewing your medical records from UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital or Banner Fort Collins Medical Center.

The owner says I provoked the dog. Does that end my case?

Not automatically. The statute bars liability only where the person knowingly provoked the dog (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)(d)). Petting a dog, walking past it, running on a Fort Collins trail, or reacting to being startled is not provocation. We use witness statements and your account to keep ordinary, reasonable conduct from being mischaracterized as something that voids your claim.

What should I do right after a dog bite in Fort Collins?

Get medical care at UCHealth Poudre Valley Hospital or Banner Fort Collins Medical Center. Photograph your injuries and the scene. Identify the dog and its owner, and get witness contact information. Report the bite to Larimer County animal control even if the owner asks you not to. Keep every medical record and receipt. Then speak with an attorney before giving any recorded statement to an insurer. You can reach our team serving Fort Collins at (303) 209-9395.

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CGH Injury Lawyers · 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205 · Serving Fort Collins and Larimer County