Colorado Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

Last updated: 2026-02-21

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Quick Summary

Colorado requires dog breeders to get a license through the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) if they sell or transfer more than 24 dogs per year. The Colorado Department of Agriculture runs this program and has different license types for small and large breeders.

License Required Yes
Annual Fee $450 (small-scale) / $550 (large-scale)
Threshold More than 24 dogs/year or more than 2 litters/year
Hobby Exemption 24 dogs or fewer per year, or 2 litters or fewer
Governing Agency Colorado Department of Agriculture

Regulatory Agency: Colorado Department of Agriculture, Inspection and Consumer Services Division

Who Needs a License in Colorado?

If you sell, transfer, or adopt out more than 24 dogs per year, or breed more than 2 litters per year, you need a PACFA license from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Colorado has two license categories above the hobby level: small-scale breeders (those who transfer between 25 and 99 dogs per year) and large-scale breeders (those who transfer 100 or more dogs per year). Hobby breeders who transfer no more than 24 dogs per year or breed no more than 2 litters per year are exempt from licensing.

How to Apply

To apply for a PACFA breeder license, you must submit an application to the Colorado Department of Agriculture. After your application is reviewed, you will be assigned a Qualifying Education (QE) course that takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete. Once you finish the QE course, your application moves to the pre-license inspection phase. An inspector will visit your facility to make sure it meets all the required standards before your license is granted.

Fees and Costs

The annual license fee for a small-scale dog breeder (25 to 99 dogs transferred per year) is $450. The annual fee for a large-scale dog breeder (100 or more dogs transferred per year) is $550. Hobby breeders who fall below the licensing threshold do not pay a state fee.

Inspections and Compliance

All PACFA-licensed facilities may be inspected when they first apply, on a routine basis after that, and whenever a complaint is filed. Pre-license inspections are usually scheduled with the applicant. However, routine inspections, follow-up visits, and complaint investigations are typically unannounced. Inspectors check housing, sanitation, veterinary care, and record-keeping. If problems are found, the breeder gets a written notice and must submit a correction report within 20 days.

Record-Keeping Requirements

Licensed breeders must keep detailed records of all animals in their care. This includes information about each dog's origin, health records, vaccination status, and where each dog goes when sold or transferred. These records must be available for inspectors to review at any time during business hours.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

If a breeder fails to fix problems found during inspections, they can face serious consequences. Failing three inspections within any 12-month period counts as a separate violation. The Department of Agriculture can issue civil fines and penalties, suspend a license, deny a license renewal, or revoke a license entirely. The state updated PACFA in 2023 to include stricter inspection requirements and increased penalties for breaking the rules.

Sources and References

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