# C.R.S. § 18-9-204: 18-9-204. Animal fighting - penalty

> Colorado · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-204

## Section

- **Citation:** C.R.S. § 18-9-204
- **Heading:** 18-9-204. Animal fighting - penalty
- **Jurisdiction:** Colorado
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** CO Code / Title 18 / Article 9 / Part 2 / Section 18-9-204

## Text

18-9-204. Animal fighting - penalty. (1) (a) No person shall cause, sponsor, arrange, hold, or encourage a fight between animals for the purpose of monetary gain or entertainment.

(b) For the purposes of this section, a person encourages a fight between animals for the purpose of monetary gain or entertainment if he or she:

(I) Is knowingly present at or wagers on such a fight;

(II) Owns, trains, transports, possesses, breeds, sells, transfers, or equips an animal with the intent that such animal will be engaged in such a fight;

(III) Knowingly allows any such fight to occur on any property owned or controlled by him;

(IV) Knowingly allows any animal used for such a fight to be kept, boarded, housed, or trained on, or transported in, any property owned or controlled by him;

(V) Knowingly uses any means of communication for the purpose of promoting such a fight; or

(VI) Knowingly possesses any animal used for such a fight or any device intended to enhance the animal's fighting ability.

(2) (a) A person who violates the provisions of this section commits a class 5 felony and, in addition to the punishment provided in section 18-1.3-401, the court shall impose upon the person a mandatory fine of at least one thousand dollars.

(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2023.)

(3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit normal hunting practices as approved by the division of parks and wildlife.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the training of animals or the use of equipment in the training of animals for any purpose not prohibited by law.

## Nearby sections

- [C.R.S. § 18-9-201 18-9-201. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-201.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-201.5 18-9-201.5. Scope of part 2](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-201.5.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-201.7 18-9-201.7. Animal cruelty prevention fund - control of fund - repeal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-201.7.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-202 18-9-202. Cruelty and aggravated cruelty to animals, service animals, and law enforcement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-202.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-202.5 18-9-202.5. Impounded animals - costs of impoundment, provision, and care - disposition - pr](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-202.5.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-203 18-9-203. Sheepherder abandoning sheep without notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-203.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-204 18-9-204. Animal fighting - penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-204.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-204.5 18-9-204.5. Unlawful ownership of dangerous dog - legislative declaration - definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-204.5.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-205 18-9-205. Disposition of fines](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-205.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-206 18-9-206. Unauthorized release of an animal - penalty - restitution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-206.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-207 18-9-207. Tampering or drugging of livestock](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-207.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-208 18-9-208. Forfeiture of animals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-208.md)
- [C.R.S. § 18-9-209 18-9-209. Immunity for reporting cruelty to animals - false report - penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-209.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_CO_T18_A9_P2_S18-9-204. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.