House Bill 25-1180

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Duran and Armagost, Bacon, Bird, Boesenecker, Brown, Froelich, Lindsay, McCormick, Rutinel, Willford, Zokaie;

also SENATOR(S) Bright and Roberts.

Concerning prohibiting certain transfers of pet animals in public spaces.

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

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 35-80-108, amend (1) introductory portion, (1)(m), and (1)(n); and add (1)(o) as follows:

35-80-108.  Unlawful acts - short title - disclosure requirement - definition. (1)  Unless otherwise authorized by law, it is unlawful and a violation of this article 80 for any personan individual or entity:

(m)  To alter or falsify anya certificate of veterinary inspection or any other certificate of veterinary health; and

(n)  To import or cause to be imported anya dog or cat for the purpose of sale by a pet animal facility, unless the dog or cat has a certificate of veterinary health and, if the dog or cat is over six months old, proof of a rabies vaccination; or

(o) (I)  To sell, offer or advertise for sale or adoption, barter, or give away a pet animal that, at the time of transfer, is physically located at or on any public street, highway, right-of-way, parkway, median strip, park, recreation area, outdoor market, parking lot, or other public space.

(II)  Subsection (1)(o)(I) of this section does not apply to:

(A)  A pet animal facility licensed under this article 80;

(B)  The sale of livestock;

(C)  A pet animal owner, breeder, handler, or trainer while transporting a pet animal to or from or exhibiting or competing at an event licensed, regulated, or sanctioned by the American Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club, or any other nationally recognized registering organization; or

(D)  Hunting dogs bred or trained for lawful hunting.

(III)  Nothing in this section precludes a statutory or home rule town, city, county, or city and county from enacting a law regulating the conduct described in this subsection (1)(o).

SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 35-80-114 as follows:

35-80-114.  Criminal penalties.AnyA person whothat violates the provisions of section 35-80-108 (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c), (1)(f), or (1)(m), or (1)(o)(I) commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501. C.R.S.

SECTION 3.  Act subject to petition - effective date - applicability. (1)  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.

(2)  This act applies to violations occurring on or after the applicable effective date of this act.