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Aurora Dog Bite Lawyer
Colorado law can hold a dog owner responsible even if the dog never bit anyone before. If you were attacked by a dog in Aurora, you may not have to prove the owner knew the animal was dangerous. CGH Injury Lawyers serves Aurora from our Denver office with no fee unless we win.
No fee unless we winColorado does not follow a pure one-bite rule. In many Aurora dog bite cases, you can hold the owner strictly responsible for your economic losses without proving the dog had ever bitten before or that the owner was careless.
- C.R.S. 13-21-124 sets up two tracks: strict liability when the bite causes serious bodily injury, and a negligence standard when the injury is less severe.
- Strict liability means a first bite can still make the owner responsible for your medical bills and lost wages, as long as you were lawfully on the property.
- The general filing deadline for a Colorado dog bite claim is two years under C.R.S. 13-80-102. Act before that window closes or the claim is permanently barred.
CGH Injury Lawyers serves Aurora dog bite victims from our Denver office at no cost until we win your case.
Colorado law decoded
Colorado's dog bite statute, C.R.S. 13-21-124, explained for Aurora victims
Colorado's dog bite law is neither pure strict liability nor a pure one-bite rule. Understanding which track applies to your Aurora case determines the entire legal strategy.
Track 1: Strict liability (serious bodily injury)
Under C.R.S. 13-21-124(2), a person bitten by a dog while lawfully on public or private property and who suffers serious bodily injury or death can bring a civil action to recover economic damages against the dog owner, regardless of the dog's prior viciousness or the owner's knowledge of it. In plain terms: a first bite on a dog with no history of aggression can still result in strict liability for economic losses if you were lawfully present and the injury was serious enough.
Track 2: Negligence standard (lesser injuries or non-economic damages)
When the injury does not meet the serious bodily injury threshold, or when the victim also seeks non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, the claim must be pursued through standard negligence. That requires proving the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, usually through evidence of prior biting, aggressive behavior, or complaints. C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a) preserves these other negligence theories alongside the strict-liability track.
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)). It covers injuries carrying a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of a body part or organ, and includes certain fractures. Deep puncture wounds, facial scarring, nerve damage with lasting weakness, and tendon or muscle injuries to the hand or arm often qualify. Whether a specific injury crosses the threshold is a legal judgment, and CGH reviews your medical records against the definition as part of the free case evaluation.
Strict liability vs. negligence
Which track fits your Aurora dog bite case?
The most important early question in any Aurora dog bite case is which legal track applies. One is significantly easier to win than the other.
Strict liability (Track 1)
- Applies when the bite causes serious bodily injury or death
- You do not have to prove the owner was careless or knew the dog was dangerous
- A first bite counts, the dog's clean history is irrelevant
- You must have been lawfully on the property (public space or by invitation)
- Recovery under this track is limited to economic damages under C.R.S. 13-21-124(2)
Negligence standard (Track 2)
- Applies when the injury does not meet the serious bodily injury threshold
- Also applies when seeking non-economic damages like pain and suffering
- Must prove the owner knew or had reason to know the dog was dangerous
- Prior bites, complaints, or aggressive behavior are the key evidence
- A harder case, which is when experienced trial counsel matters most
Aurora courts and hospitals
Where Aurora dog bite cases land: courts, hospitals, and high-incident areas
Dog bites in Aurora can happen in parks, on neighborhood streets, at apartment complexes, or during delivery routes. CGH serves Aurora from our Denver office and knows this city's legal and medical infrastructure.
Where Aurora dog bite lawsuits are filed
Aurora sits primarily in Arapahoe County. Dog bite lawsuits for Aurora victims are typically filed in the Arapahoe County District Court, 18th Judicial District, 7325 South Potomac Street, Centennial, CO 80112. Smaller claims may proceed in Arapahoe County Court. CGH handles venue selection as part of case strategy.
Medical care for Aurora bite victims
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora (Level II Trauma Center) treats serious dog bite injuries, including wound repair, infection management, and surgical reconstruction for severe attacks. Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora handles pediatric dog bite cases. Emergency department records from these facilities are key evidence in any claim.
Where Aurora dog bites happen
High-incident locations for Aurora dog bites include Aurora's multi-family residential corridors along Havana Street and Colfax Avenue, public parks and trail systems, apartment complexes near the Anschutz Medical Campus, and during package deliveries on residential streets across the 386,261-resident city. Mail carriers, delivery workers, and neighbors walking dogs rank among the most common victim categories.
Serving Aurora from our Denver office
CGH Injury Lawyers has one office: 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205, (303) 209-9395. We do not have an Aurora office. Aurora clients receive full representation from our Denver team, and we come to you when your injury limits travel.
Owner defenses
Defenses dog owners raise in Aurora cases, and how we answer them
Colorado's dog bite statute lists specific situations where an owner is not liable (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)). Insurance companies reach for these defenses early. Knowing what each one actually requires keeps a valid Aurora claim alive.
“You were trespassing”
The statute protects people who are lawfully on the property. Colorado defines that broadly to include anyone performing a legal duty, such as a mail carrier or delivery worker, and anyone present by the owner's express or implied invitation (C.R.S. 13-21-124(4)). An open gate or the absence of warning 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 specific facts of how you entered the property matter so much.
“You provoked the dog”
An owner is not liable when the victim knowingly provoked the dog under C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)(d). The key word is knowingly. Petting an unfamiliar dog, walking past it, or reacting with surprise is not provocation. We use witness accounts and your own description to prevent ordinary, reasonable behavior from being reframed as provocation in order to defeat your claim.
“The dog was working”
Colorado's statute carves out dogs used by peace officers or military personnel on duty, and dogs working as hunting, herding, farm, or predator-control animals on the owner's property. It also exempts bites against veterinary workers, groomers, and handlers who voluntarily interact with the dog professionally (C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)). Most Aurora pet-owner bites do not fall into these categories, but each set of facts must be reviewed.
Why Aurora victims choose CGH
Why Aurora dog bite victims choose CGH Injury Lawyers
A dog bite claim against a neighbor or landlord can feel personal and uncomfortable. Here is what CGH brings to that situation.
- We evaluate which liability track applies at no cost during the free case review, before you commit to anything.
- Kevin Cheney is an ABOTA member who has tried over 25 cases to verdict. Insurance companies that know CGH know we go to trial when they do not offer fair value.
- Timothy G. Tarr has been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2023, a peer-recognition credential across Colorado personal injury law.
- We declined a settlement that did not reflect the full value of a client's injury and took the case to verdict. That trial readiness produces better pre-trial offers.
- CGH is bilingual: we serve Aurora's Spanish-speaking community in English and Spanish at no additional cost.
Protect your claim
What to do after a dog bite in Aurora
The steps you take in the hours and days after an Aurora dog bite can determine whether your case is strong or weak. Evidence disappears fast.
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Get medical care at UCHealth Aurora or an urgent care
Dog bites carry a high infection risk, including the possibility of rabies exposure. Get evaluated by a physician immediately, even for bites that look minor. UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora can handle serious wounds. The medical record from your first visit becomes the foundation of your claim.
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Report the bite to Aurora Animal Control
Report the bite to Aurora Animal Care and Control. Reporting creates an official record of the incident and can initiate the dangerous-dog process for the animal, which creates evidence relevant to a future negligence claim if the dog has a prior history. Do not skip this step even if the owner asks you not to report.
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Document the wound, the dog, and the scene
Photograph your wounds before and after treatment. Photograph the dog, the property, and any signage (or lack of signage) at the entry. Get the name and contact information of the owner and any witnesses. If possible, obtain the dog's vaccination records from the owner before leaving.
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Do not give a recorded statement without an attorney
The dog owner's homeowner's insurance company will contact you quickly. Do not provide a recorded statement before consulting CGH. A recorded statement can be used to establish provocation, trespassing, or other defenses that undermine your claim.
What you can recover
What an Aurora dog bite victim can recover
The damages available in your case depend on which liability track applies and the severity of your injury.
Economic damages (available on both tracks)
- Emergency room and urgent care bills
- Reconstructive or plastic surgery costs
- Infection treatment, antibiotics, and follow-up care
- Lost wages during recovery
- Occupational and physical therapy
- Ongoing treatment for nerve damage or scarring
Non-economic damages (negligence track)
- Pain and suffering during and after the attack
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and PTSD related to the attack
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring (non-economic component)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium for a spouse or partner
Under the strict-liability track (C.R.S. 13-21-124(2)), recovery is limited to economic damages. Pursuing non-economic damages like pain and suffering requires a negligence theory under C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a). CGH evaluates both tracks for every Aurora client and pursues the strongest combination the facts support.
The insurance layer
Filing against Aurora homeowner or renter insurance, not the individual
Most Aurora dog bite claims are filed against the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, not the individual directly. That changes the dynamic significantly.
Homeowner and renter policies typically include personal liability coverage that pays for dog bite injuries caused by the insured's pet. When you file a claim, you are dealing with a professional insurance adjuster whose job is to minimize the payout, not with a neighbor or friend. That adjuster will investigate your status on the property, look for evidence of provocation, and press the defenses listed in C.R.S. 13-21-124(5) from day one.
Some landlords and apartment complexes in Aurora carry their own general liability policies that may also apply when a tenant's dog bites someone on common property. Identifying every available insurance layer is part of how CGH builds the maximum recovery for an Aurora dog bite case.
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Frequently asked questions
Aurora dog bite lawyer: frequently asked questions
Does Colorado require a prior bite before I can sue an Aurora dog owner?
No, not for the strict-liability track. Under C.R.S. 13-21-124(2), if you suffered serious bodily injury while lawfully on public or private property, you can recover economic damages from the owner without proving any prior history of aggression. The dog's first bite can create liability. A prior bite matters more when you are pursuing non-economic damages through a negligence theory, where proof of the owner's knowledge of the danger is required.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Aurora?
The general filing deadline for a Colorado dog bite personal injury claim is two years from the date of the bite under C.R.S. 13-80-102. If the deadline passes without a lawsuit being filed, the claim is permanently barred. Do not wait, especially if the wound required surgery or caused an infection that required additional treatment over time.
I was delivering packages to a home in Aurora when I was bitten. Do I have a claim?
Yes. Colorado's dog bite statute covers people lawfully on the property, which expressly includes anyone performing a legal duty such as a mail carrier or delivery worker (C.R.S. 13-21-124(4)). You do not need to be invited by the homeowner personally. If the bite caused serious bodily injury, the strict-liability track applies and you can pursue economic damages without proving the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
The dog owner says I provoked their dog near their Havana Street property. Is that a defense?
Provocation is a defense listed in C.R.S. 13-21-124(5)(d), but it requires proof that you knowingly provoked the dog. Accidentally startling a dog, petting it without knowing it was aggressive, or simply walking near it does not meet that standard. We use your account of the events and witness statements to prevent ordinary behavior from being labeled provocation in order to defeat your claim.
A dog bit my child at an Aurora apartment complex. Who is responsible?
The dog's owner carries primary liability under C.R.S. 13-21-124. If the attack happened on common property of an Aurora apartment complex, the property management company may also carry liability depending on whether they knew the dog was dangerous and failed to act. We investigate all potentially responsible parties and all available insurance policies, including the owner's renter's policy and the complex's general liability policy.
Which Aurora hospital treats serious dog bite injuries?
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora is a Level II Trauma Center that handles serious dog bite injuries including wound repair, infection control, reconstructive surgery, and nerve damage evaluation. Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora handles pediatric cases. For injuries that do not require a trauma center, urgent care clinics throughout Aurora can provide initial wound care, but follow up with a physician who can document the full extent of the injury.
Can I recover for emotional distress after an Aurora dog attack?
Non-economic damages like emotional distress, anxiety, and PTSD are not available under the strict-liability track (C.R.S. 13-21-124(2)), which covers only economic losses. To recover for emotional distress, the claim must include a negligence theory under C.R.S. 13-21-124(6)(a), which requires proving the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. A combined approach, pursuing both tracks, is how CGH maximizes recovery when the facts support it.
Does CGH Injury Lawyers have an Aurora office for dog bite consultations?
No. CGH Injury Lawyers serves Aurora from our single office at 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205, (303) 209-9395. We do not have a separate Aurora office. We represent Aurora dog bite victims statewide without requiring travel for every meeting, and we come to you when your injuries limit mobility.
Related pages
Related Aurora and statewide injury pages
Aurora injury pages
Statewide dog bite
Denver dog bite
IT'S MORE THAN MONEY.
You were bitten in Aurora. Colorado law may hold the owner responsible without proving any prior bite.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Serving Aurora from our Denver office.