Animal Safety

The Animal Safety Department provides service and protection to all persons and animals within unincorporated Pitkin County with concerning animal issues. Duties include the enforcement of animal safety ordinances, conducting  investigations, and providing conflict intervention within the community concerning animal  issues. The Animal Safety Officer serves summonses, handles the detention of animals, and testifies in court regarding animal safety issues.

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Animal Safety Officer


The Animal Safety Officer is certified through the State of Colorado Association of Animal Control Officers and the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Protection. The Animal Safety Officer is the liaison between the Aspen/Pitkin County Animal Shelter/Shelter Board and the County Manager's office. The Pitkin County Animal Safety Department is a division of the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office. 

For more information go to the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office resource.

Services


  • Enforces County ordinances relating to domestic animals and livestock, oversees the animal licensing program and rabies vaccination requirements. 
  • Responds to wildlife complaints and assists with wildlife calls when a Wildlife Officer is not readily available.
  • Oversees the euthanasia of unwanted, unclaimed, diseased or injured companion animals; removal of deceased companion or wild animals from County roads and private residences; quarantine of animals when the threat of rabies is a factor.
  • Investigation of animal safety complaints including but not limited to:
    • Abandonment
    • Animal bites
    • Barking dogs
    • Cruelty / neglect
    • Harassment of livestock/wildlife 
    • Injuries to animals 
    • Vicious dogs
    • Harassing dogs
    • Animals at large
  • Provides information and public education concerning animal issues through the press, schools, and various community meetings as well as with local veterinarians.