Why is brand inspection important?

Livestock inspection, whether or not the animal is branded, is legally required and is important for a number of reasons, including:

• Deters theft
• Helps determine ownership
• Enables brand inspectors and law enforcement personnel to return stolen or missing livestock to their owners
• Prevents the unlawful sale or transport of livestock
• Facilitates commerce by providing a system of checks and balances that is well understood and valued in the marketplace
• Helps protect livestock owners and the livestock industry by putting trained personnel in the field to keep an eye out for stolen or missing livestock
• Helps protect lenders and financial institutions that have an economic interest in the animals
• Creates an accurate record of livestock movement that is critical in the event of a disease outbreak
• Assists livestock owners/transporters if stopped by brand inspectors or law enforcement agencies when hauling livestock

When is a brand inspection required?

Colorado law and regulations require that livestock (including cattle, calves, horses, mules, donkeys, burros, and, when requested, sheep), whether or not they are branded, be inspected before:

1. Any change of ownership (whether by gift or sale)
2. Transport over 75 miles within the state of Colorado (determined by the most direct driving route)
3. Transport to a destination outside Colorado (regardless of the distance)
4. Transport to the sale
5. Transport to slaughter. 

While several Colorado statutes govern brand inspection and determination of ownership, the primary ones are found in Title 35, Articles 41, 43, 44, and 53 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Who is responsible for arranging for a brand inspection?

The seller/transporter is responsible for obtaining the brand inspection and must be present, in person or by an agent appointed in writing and authorized in advance by the brand inspector, during the inspection. When scheduling a brand inspection, be sure to inform the inspector about the documents you have that will help establish proof of ownership, so that any potential issues can be addressed before the inspection occurs.

Does the buyer need to be present during a brand inspection?

No, although it is a good practice to be there if possible, so that if a problem arises, there is a better chance of getting it resolved quickly. Additionally, the buyer must sign the inspection certificate, whether at the time of the inspection or upon receipt of the certificate signed by the seller/transferor. Therefore, being present is often the simplest and best practice.