A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning prohibiting certain transfers of pet animals in
Page 1, Line 102public spaces.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill prohibits a person or entity from selling, delivering, offering or advertising for sale or adoption, bartering, auctioning, giving away, leasing, or otherwise transferring any pet animal at or on any public street, highway, right-of-way, parkway, median strip, park, recreation area, outdoor market, parking lot, or other public space. Pet animal facilities licensed under the "Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act" are exempted from the prohibition, as well as events held primarily for the sale of livestock.
An individual or entity that violates the prohibition commits a class 2 misdemeanor.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 35-80-108, amend (1) introductory portion, (1)(m), and (1)(n); and add (1)(o) as follows:
Page 2, Line 335-80-108. Unlawful acts - short title - disclosure requirement
Page 2, Line 4- definition. (1) Unless otherwise authorized by law, it is unlawful and a violation of this article 80 for
any person an individual or entity:Page 2, Line 5(m) To alter or falsify
any a certificate of veterinary inspection orany other certificate of veterinary health;andPage 2, Line 6(n) To import or cause to be imported
any a dog or cat for thePage 2, Line 7purpose of sale by a pet animal facility, unless the dog or cat has a
Page 2, Line 8certificate of veterinary health and, if the dog or cat is over six months old, proof of a rabies vaccination; or
Page 2, Line 9(o) (I) To sell, offer or advertise for sale or adoption,
Page 2, Line 10barter, or give away a pet animal that, at the time of transfer,
Page 2, Line 11is physically located at or on any public street, highway,
Page 2, Line 12right-of-way, parkway, median strip, park, recreation area, outdoor market, parking lot, or other public space.
Page 2, Line 13(II) Subsection (1)(o)(I) of this section does not apply to:
(A) A pet animal facility licensed under this article 80;
Page 2, Line 14(B) The sale of livestock;
Page 2, Line 15(C) A pet animal owner, breeder, handler, or trainer while
Page 2, Line 16transporting a pet animal to or from or exhibiting or competing
Page 2, Line 17at an event licensed, regulated, or sanctioned by the American
Page 3, Line 1Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club, or any other nationally recognized registering organization; or
Page 3, Line 2(D) Hunting dogs bred or trained for lawful hunting.
Page 3, Line 3(III) Nothing in this section precludes a statutory or home
Page 3, Line 4rule town, city, county, or city and county from enacting a law regulating the conduct described in this subsection (1)(o).
Page 3, Line 5SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 35-80-114 as follows:
Page 3, Line 635-80-114. Criminal penalties.
Any A personwho that violatesPage 3, Line 7
the provisions of section 35-80-108 (1)(a), (1)(b), (1)(c), (1)(f),or (1)(m),Page 3, Line 8or (1)(o)(I) commits a class 2 misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-501.
C.R.S.Page 3, Line 9SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date -
Page 3, Line 10applicability. (1) This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following
Page 3, Line 11the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the
Page 3, Line 12general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant
Page 3, Line 13to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an
Page 3, Line 14item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item,
Page 3, Line 15section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the
Page 3, Line 16general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take
Page 3, Line 17effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
Page 3, Line 18(2) This act applies to violations occurring on or after the applicable effective date of this act.