Division
of Brand Inspection
The
Brand Inspection Division has a long history in Colorado beginning
around 1865 in what was then the Colorado Territory. Today, the division
administers more than 37,000 livestock brands to identify ownership
of cattle, sheep, mules, burros, horses, elk and fallow deer. Brand
inspection is crucial to verify ownership in cases of strayed or stolen
livestock, and animal health programs are strengthened by the ability
to trace animals to their herd of origin.
The
division is administered by the State Board of Stock Inspection comprised
of five members, appointed by the Governor, representing all segments
of the industry. The members of the board during the 1999 –2000 period
are Mr. Dick Tanner of Yoder, Mr. Dean Davis of Lindon, Mr. Lee Spann
of Gunnison, Ms. Linda Ingo of Ridgway, and Mr. Roger Hickert of Akron.
The
division employs 65 brand inspectors located throughout the state,
eight brand foremans, and nine administrative personnel, including
Brand Commissioner J. G. Shoun. The annual budget for the division
exceeds $3 million and is completely funded by the fees levied to
livestock owners and brand assessment fees levied every five years.
The
division is assigned five principal regulatory responsibilities:
-
To
record and administer livestock brands.
-
To
inspect livestock and verify ownership before sale, transportation
out of Colorado, transportation beyond 75 miles in Colorado,
or slaughter.
-
Inspect
and license packing plants, livestock sale rings and inspect
all consignments before sale to verify ownership.
-
License
and inspect alternative livestock (elk and fallow deer) facilities.
-
Prevent
and return strayed or stolen livestock and investigate reports
of lost or stolen livestock.
In
addition, brand inspectors collect beef promotion, research funds
and promotion fees for the Colorado Horse Development Authority. The
division is also the trustee for all surety bonds issued to licensed
markets and packinghouses doing business in Colorado.
Annually,
the division personnel travel in excess of 1.4 million miles and inspect
approximately 5.1 million head of livestock. In addition, they identify
ownership of lost, stolen, or strayed and questionably owned livestock
valued at over $17 million. The division conducts 60,000 horse inspections
and issues permanent horse travel permits.
The
brand division has concentrated on educational programs in the past
few years. The focus of the educational program is on teaching brand
law and theft prevention to the public and law enforcement agencies.
Several classes are given each year, all in different areas of Colorado.
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Transfer of Ownership
All
bovine and equine must have a brand inspection for each of the following
cases:
-
Every
change of ownership.
-
Whether
the animal has a brand or not, an inspection is required.
-
This
includes animals that are registered with a breed association.
That registration does not exempt the animal from needing
a brand inspection.
-
The
brand inspection must be done prior to the sale and
transportation of the animal.
-
If
you are selling an animal that was purchased in a state that
did not require a brand inspection where purchased, an original
bill of sale must be shown at the time the animal is brand-inspected
in this state (prior to sale within Colorado).
-
Prior
to movement or transportation over 75 miles away from home.
-
Prior
to leaving the state.
-
Prior
to slaughter.
-
Some
custom packinghouses can complete the brand inspection on
site. Others require a brand inspection prior to delivery
to the packinghouse.
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Permanent Hauling Cards
Permanent
hauling cards for horses can be obtained at a nominal fee when the
original change of ownership brand inspection takes place. The permanent
hauling card is valid for:
-
Movement
or transportation of the animal greater than 75 miles away from
home.
-
Outside
of state boundaries. (This does not negate other needed transportation
documents as required by the State Veterinarian for departing
or arriving in Colorado).
-
The
Permanent Hauling Cards are not transferable. If and when ownership
changes, a new hauling card must be issued.
-
The
card must be present during transportation of the animal.
Costs
for the Permanent Hauling Cards are:
-
For
one horse:
A. $10.00
inspection fee
B. $15.00
permit fee
C. $3.00
collected for Colorado Horse Promotion Board
-
For
2 or more horses:
$10.00
total or $1.00 per head,
for 11 or more horses, whichever is greater; for the inspection fee
B. $15.00
permit fee each
C. $3.00
each collected for Colorado Horse Promotion Board
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Additional
Information
Important
Phone Numbers and Office Locations
The
main office of the Colorado State Brand Commissioner is located at
the Livestock Exchange Building. This office is staffed from 7:30a.m.
to 5p.m. Monday through Friday. Their office is open every weekday
except for 6 major holidays through the year. This is the best place
to call for general questions.
Their
information is:
Division
of Brand Inspection
201
Livestock Exchange Building
4701
Marion St.
Denver,
CO 80216
Telephone: (303)
294-0895
Fax: (303)
294-0918
If
you need to reach a local brand inspector to schedule an inspection,
please refer to the listing below for the brand inspector near you.
BRUSH
OFFICE: (970) 842-2295
DENVER
OFFICE: (303) 294-0895
GREELEY
OFFICE: (970) 352-8622
FT.
COLLINS OFFICE: (970) 490-1764
LONGMONT
OFFICE: (303) 378-5353
Many
of the above listed phone numbers will be answered by an answering
machine during the day due to a high volume of fieldwork, and few
stationary office personnel. This listing is just a few of the Inspectors/Office
locations specific to the eastern front-range area. Information on
other offices and personnel throughout the state can be obtained at
(303) 294-0895.
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