Denver’s gone to the dogs! At least that’s what many City Cast Denver listeners think who have called in to our hotline to complain about the rising issue of abandoned dog poop on our city’s sidewalks, lawns, and parks. But what’s the data say? We dug into 311 call data from 2007 to 2025 to find out.
Despite a recent dip, Denver consistently logs hundreds of dog poop complaints every year with March being an essentially busy time for poopetrators. Although there are geographic hotspots (looking at you, Five Points and Capitol Hill) the problem is pervasive enough all across Denver that it points to a persistent citywide — and society wide — issue.
Year-Over-Year Trends
On average, Denver saw about 400-450complaints about dog poop per year, but the numbers vary significantly year-by-year. Early on, complaints rose from 377 in 2007 to 497 in 2009. The peak year was 2018 with 554 reports, perhaps buoyed by the introduction of the PocketGov app for easier reporting.
2020 saw over 520 complaints, possibly reflecting increased dog ownership or outdoor activity during the pandemic. Data for 2021-2022 showed a decline which could indicate improved conditions or reduced reporting. By 2023, complaints inched back up to 334 and 2024 logged 369 cases.
(Credit: Helen Xu)
Average Monthly Dog Poop Complaints
March is the top month for dog poop reports, with an average of 45 complaints each year. This is most likely because the melting snow and thawing ice uncovered months-buried dog poop. Complaints remain relatively high through summer (June to August). Warmer months means more people (and dogs) outdoors which increases opportunities for both pet waste and public visibility of violations. Additionally, the heat of summertime contributes to a stronger offensive odor.
By contrast, late fall and winter see few reports — likely because cold weather and snow keep poop out of sight… until the spring thaw reveals all those hidden treasures.
(Credit: Helen Xu)
Geographic Concentration
So, where is all the poop in Denver anyway? The worst offenders are downtown-adjacent neighborhoods and nearby areas such as Five Points and Capitol Hill. Another prominent cluster is far northeast Denver (Montbello and Green Valley Ranch). Significant complaint activity is also seen in parts of northwest Denver (Sunnyside, Berkeley) and south Denver (the Hampden and Westwood neighborhoods).
Pet waste complaints arise citywide, from the urban core to outlying districts indicating a citywide problem.
(Credit: Helen Xu)
Dog poop may not seem like a policy issue, but it’s a quality-of-life one — and a shared public space problem. With hundreds of 311 complaints filed every year, concentrated in high foot traffic neighborhoods and peaking every spring like clockwork, the data makes it clear: Denver has a dog poop problem.
Want a deeper dive into the doo doo data? Tune in now 👇
