City Council to Address Mayor Hancock’s Veto of Breed-Restricted License for Owners of Pit Bulls

Neighbors have diverse opinions regarding the Council Bill 20-0071, a bill to amend the Denver Revised Municipal Code to require a provisional breed-restricted license for owners of pit bulls, commonly referred to as a “repeal of the pit bull ban.” Currently, Mayor Hancock has stated that he will veto Denver City Council’s February 10 vote and provided comments explaining his decision to City Council. City Council will vote on February 24 whether to take action to override the veto, which requires a supermajority of 9 votes to succeed. Here below is information on this council bill.

City Council passes bill requiring breed-restricted license for pit bulls, Mayor Hancock states intent to veto

On February 10, Denver City Council voted 7 to 4 in favor of bill 20-0071 amending section 8-67 of the Denver Revised Municipal Code requiring a provisional breed-restricted license for owners of pit bulls. This legislation covers three breeds the city includes as pit bulls: the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. According to Colorado Politics, by passing the bill, the City would now require “a breed-restricted license that pit bull owners would have to obtain to come into compliance with the revised city ordinance,” including limiting the number of pit bulls to no more than two per household and requiring owners to “call Denver Animal Protection within eight hours of a bite or escape, and within 24 hours of the dog dying or the owner moving,” and spaying or neutering their pit bulls in order to get their breed specific license.

Mayor Hancock responded on February 14 that he will veto the bill. You can read his letter to City Council here:

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City Council to address Mayor Hancock’s comments on February 24

On Feb 18, 2020, Denver City Council released the following statement on its next steps: Just before 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, Denver City Council members received written comments explaining Mayor Michael B. Hancock’s decision to veto Council Bill 20-0071, a bill to amend the Denver Revised Municipal Code to require a provisional breed-restricted license for owners of pit bulls. The mayor’s comments will be read on Monday, Feb. 24 at Council’s regularly scheduled meeting that starts at 5:30 p.m. City Council may take action to override the veto, but it will require a supermajority of 9 votes to be successful. Public comment was heard on the legislation on Monday, Feb. 10. There will not be any additional opportunity for public comment on Feb. 24.  There will be no vote on the veto Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Those with opinions on this matter should contact your city council representative, Paul Kashmann