House Bill 25-1034

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) McCormick and Garcia Sander, Boesenecker, Brown, Clifford, Duran, Lindsay;

also SENATOR(S) Daugherty and Liston.

Concerning amendments to the dangerous dog statute.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-9-204.5, amend (6) introductory portion, and (6)(b) as follows:

18-9-204.5.  Unlawful ownership of dangerous dog - legislative declaration - definitions. (6)  The provisions of this section shallThis section does not apply to the following:

(b)  To anyA dog that inflicts bodily or serious bodily injury to anya veterinary health-care worker, dog groomer, humane agency personnel, professional dog handler, or trainer, each acting in the performance of his or herthe person's respective duties, unless the dog's owner is subject to a court order issued pursuant to paragraph (e.5) of subsection (3)subsection (3)(e.5) of this section and the owner has failed to comply with the provisions of subparagraph (V) of paragraph (e.5) of subsection (3)subsection (3)(e.5)(V) of this section; or

SECTION 2.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.