Larimer County staff brief commissioners on proposed $5.54 million NoCo Humane contract for 2026

Larimer County commissioners heard a presentation July 28 from NoCo Humane officials and county staff on the proposed 2026 animal services contract, which County staff estimate will result in a net cost to Larimer County of $5,539,899.

NoCo Humane CEO Judy Calhoun and her staff described services covered under the contract and other community programs the nonprofit runs. “Your contracted services include animal services, so that's our animal care, lost and found, the required behavior and enrichment … veterinary services, animal protection and control,” Calhoun said.

The contract covers field response and dispatch (including rabies control), cruelty investigations, pet licensing, community outreach, trap rentals and removal and disposal of deceased domestic and wild animals up to 100 pounds. NoCo Humane also provides noncontract services such as adoptions, foster care, transfers, veterinary training partnerships with Colorado State University and Front Range Community College, and community programs including a community dog park and emergency planning partnerships.

Calhoun said the 2026 contract cost and credits are calculated from 2024 actuals. County staff receive credits for licensing revenue, impound and boarding fees, a facilities-fund draw tied to sales-tax proceeds from the shelter campaign, and a small overnight dispatch credit tied to Larimer County Sheriff’s Office coverage. Calhoun said the facilities fund draw is calculated as 3.5% of the fund value as of the prior March.

To encourage earlier adoption of an increased license fee, NoCo Humane is applying a one-time credit tied to achieving the same number of licenses sold in 2024 after the fee rises to $17; Calhoun said that credit is $23,398. She told commissioners the approach is atypical but designed as an incentive.

Brett Harris, director of animal protection and control at NoCo Humane, described field response calls and trends. “Field responses is quite a wide range. Currently, this time of year, a lot of them is a dog locked in a hot car,” Harris said, adding calls also include bites, barking complaints, animals at large, injured wildlife and bat calls that sometimes require testing.

Calhoun and Harris told commissioners staff are seeing an increase in dog intakes; cats and kittens remain in high demand for adoption. They also noted NoCo Humane continues to accept transfers from its Weld County campus when space allows, and that a Greeley adoption campus is planned to open Sept. 15 to expand adoptable-animal capacity for West Greeley.

Commissioners asked about owner surrenders and enforcement. Calhoun and Harris said about 25% of owner surrenders in their figures are housing- or moving-related; behavior is the next largest category. Harris said investigations begin with education but can lead to enforcement or civil remedies depending on facts. No formal action or vote was taken during the work session; commissioners received the briefing and asked questions.

The county’s fiscal year 2025 referenced in the briefing covers July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025. County staff said the proposed 2026 contract figures are part of the ongoing 2026 budget process and will be incorporated into budget materials for formal consideration.

Less urgent details from the briefing included NoCo Humane’s volunteer base and community partnerships; commissioners thanked the shelter staff and emphasized the importance of noncontract services such as temporary foster or shelter options for residents facing crises.

No formal vote or motion was recorded in the transcript; staff said further budget actions related to the contract will follow the county’s normal budget process.