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CGH Injury Lawyers represents dog bite victims in Boulder, Colorado, serving Boulder from the firm's Denver office.
Boulder, Colorado

Boulder Dog Bite Lawyers Who Hold the Owner Responsible

For people seriously hurt by a dog in Boulder, Colorado law can make the owner liable even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. We serve Boulder from our Denver office and prove it. No fee unless we win.

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

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Serving Boulder 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 Boulder 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 Boulder 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 Boulder, state law may make the owner responsible even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. CGH Injury Lawyers serves Boulder and Boulder County from our Denver office, a short drive down U.S. 36, the Denver-Boulder Turnpike. We handle the insurance claim, the negotiation, and trial in the Boulder County Combined Court 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 Boulder

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 Boulder 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 Boulder owner is liable for your economic losses, even if the dog had never shown a hint of aggression before.

Strict liability vs. negligence

The two-track liability system in Colorado

The single most important question in a Boulder 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 Boulder case sits on.

Local Knowledge

Boulder animal control. Boulder courts. Boulder trauma care.

A Boulder dog bite case lives in Boulder: the agency you report the bite to, the hospital that treated you, and the courthouse where your case may be filed. Here is the ground we work on.

Reporting

Local animal control in Boulder

A dog bite in Boulder should be reported to the local animal control authority for the city or part of Boulder County where it happened. Reporting the bite creates an official record, can feed the local dangerous-dog process, and supports your claim. Report the bite even if the owner asks you not to. Confirm the specific reporting steps and any deadline that apply where your bite occurred before relying on them, because requirements vary across Boulder County.

Trauma Care

Foothills Hospital, Boulder

After a serious Boulder dog attack, severely injured patients are often treated at Foothills Hospital at 4747 Arapahoe Avenue, the American College of Surgeons verified Level II Trauma Center operated by Boulder Community Health and the first designated Level II Trauma Center in Boulder County. Those medical records document the full scope of your injuries, including scarring and nerve damage, and become the backbone of your damages claim.

Courthouse

Boulder County Combined Court

Personal injury cases that arise in Boulder County are filed in the Boulder County Combined Court, the District Court for the 20th Judicial District, at 1777 6th St. in Boulder, with an alternate court location in Longmont at 1035 Kimbark St. Boulder civil procedure differs from courts in other counties, and the judges and opposing counsel either know your firm or they don't. We handle Boulder County District Court cases directly.

Why CGH

Why Boulder dog bite victims choose CGH Injury Lawyers

Trial-ready attorneys, bilingual help, statewide Colorado coverage, 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, the owner is strictly liable for your economic damages, even with no prior history. We know exactly which track your case belongs on.

A Short Drive Away

We serve Boulder from Denver.

Our office at 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201 in Denver is a straight run down U.S. 36 from Boulder. Your attorney handles the case directly, and we come to you when meeting in person makes more sense than a drive into the city.

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 savings.

Trial-Ready

8 attorneys, prepared for trial.

Managing Partner Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and has tried over 25 cases to verdict. When attorneys are genuinely ready to try a case in the Boulder County Combined Court, insurers respond differently to a demand.

Bilingual

Hablamos espanol.

Spanish-speaking staff and attorneys serve Boulder's Spanish-speaking community.

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 Boulder

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

    Foothills Hospital on Arapahoe Avenue is the Level II Trauma Center serving Boulder for serious injuries. Even a wound that looks minor can carry infection risk and nerve damage. Get examined, and keep every record.

  2. Report the bite

    Report the bite to the local animal control authority for the part of Boulder County where it happened. Reporting creates an official record and can feed the local dangerous-dog process, even if the owner asks you not to.

  3. Document the scene

    Photograph your injuries, the dog, and where the attack happened, whether on the Pearl Street Mall, a CU Boulder walkway, or a neighborhood sidewalk. Identify the dog and its owner, and get the names and contact information of any witnesses.

  4. Call before insurance does

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

  5. We build your claim

    We confirm which liability track fits, locate the owner's homeowner or renter coverage, gather the animal control record and any history of the dog, and document the full injury.

  6. Negotiate or litigate

    Most cases settle. When insurers refuse a fair offer, we file in the Boulder County Combined Court and try your case.

Compensation

What compensation can you recover after a Boulder 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

  • 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.

Owner defenses

Defenses Boulder 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, 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 facts of where and how you entered matter so much.

  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, or 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 Boulder neighborhood.

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 Boulder neighbor

The most common reason people hesitate to pursue a dog bite claim is that the owner is a friend, a neighbor, 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.
Deadlines and reporting

Reporting the bite and the filing deadline in Boulder

Two timing issues decide whether a strong Boulder case stays viable: reporting the bite to animal control, and the statute of limitations.

  • Report the bite to local animal control in Boulder even if the owner asks you not to. Reporting creates an official record and can feed the local dangerous-dog process. Reporting requirements vary across Boulder County, so confirm the specific deadline for where the bite occurred before relying on it.
  • The deadline to file most Colorado personal injury lawsuits, including dog bite claims, is generally two years from the date of injury (C.R.S. 13-80-102). Do not wait until the deadline approaches; evidence and witness memories fade.
  • When the victim is a child, Colorado law tolls the deadline. The limitations clock for a minor generally does not begin until the child turns 18. A lawyer should still be involved early, because evidence does not wait for the clock.
Questions

Boulder dog bite, frequently asked questions

Does the dog have to have bitten someone before for me to have a Boulder case?

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 Boulder 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.

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 claim to reach every category of harm.

Who actually pays a Boulder 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 negotiating.

Where is a Boulder dog bite lawsuit filed?

Personal injury cases that arise in Boulder County are filed in the Boulder County Combined Court, the District Court for the 20th Judicial District, at 1777 6th St. in Boulder, with an alternate location in Longmont at 1035 Kimbark St. Most dog bite claims settle before a lawsuit is ever filed, but where a case would be filed affects the local rules, the jury pool, and which adjusters and defense firms you face. We handle Boulder County District Court cases directly.

Do I need a lawyer with a Boulder office?

No. What matters is whether your attorney handles Boulder County cases directly and is ready to try them in the Boulder County Combined Court. CGH Injury Lawyers serves Boulder from our Denver office at 2701 Lawrence St., a short drive down U.S. 36, the Denver-Boulder Turnpike. We come to you when meeting in person makes more sense than a drive into the city, and the entire claim can be handled by phone, email, and signed documents.

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, so it is best to consult an attorney soon after the bite.

What counts as serious bodily injury under the 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.

What should I do right after a dog bite in Boulder?

Get medical care at Foothills Hospital or another provider, photograph your injuries and the scene, identify the dog and its owner, and report the bite to local animal control in Boulder 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 Denver office, which serves Boulder, at (303) 209-9395.

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You were bitten. We handle everything else.

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CGH Injury Lawyers · Serving Boulder from 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205