Our advocacy team Our animal advocacy team works with policy makers, animal welfare agencies, law enforcement, animal protection agencies, and the community to drive policies that make Colorado a leader in protecting companion animals. Our goal is to help you stay informed on issues that impact animal sheltering and welfare in Colorado and across the country, so together we can make systemic changes that benefit animals and the people who love them, now and in the future. Every year, we engage in the legislative policymaking process during the Colorado legislative session, which runs from January to May. We also participate in ballot measures that directly align with our mission, but this occurs far less frequently. We make the biggest impact when we remain focused on areas where we can provide the most valuable expertise. That is why we work on animal welfare issues related to companion animals and do not engage in policies related to wildlife or livestock.
Advocacy Priorities and Positions 2025 HB 25-1285 VPA “implementation” bill from the opponents of Prop 129. We worked with our partners to amend this bill – 12 times! – to mitigate areas where it directly contradicts the will of the voters. After the final amendments were added, we chose to move to a neutral position on the bill. Governor Polis signed HB 25-1285 on May 30th. Learn more about HB 25-1285 here. Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has officially opened applications for the Master of Science in Veterinary Clinic Care program that will educate and train VPAs. Learn more here Support HB 25-1034 Dangerous Dogs – Remove the exemption in the dangerous dog law for serious bodily harm on an animal care worker. HB 25-1180 Public Sales of Companion Animals – Prohibits the sale of companion animals in public places, like roadside. HB 25-1131 Eliminate Student Cap at CSU Veterinary Program – Removes statutorily limited class sizes from CSU’s veterinary program. HB 25-1299 Animal Protection Fund Tax Check-off – Creates a tax check-off for an animal protection fund at Colorado Department of Agriculture. SB 25-159 Veterinary Telehealth – Allows for virtual VCPR to expand veterinary telehealth. Oppose HB 25-1137 Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund Changes – Changes to the CPOF Board and grant programs and requires funding to go to certain trap-neuter-release programs.
Advocacy Priorities and Positions 2024 Proposition 129 With our partners at the ASPCA, AWAC, and the Vet Care Coalition, we supported a ballot measure to create a veterinary professional associate – our veterinary “PA” – position in Colorado. The ballot measure passed in November 2024. Learn more about the Prop 129. Support SB 24-045 Mod. to Sterilization Requirements for Cats & Dogs – Updates to spay and neuter laws to ensure increased compliance by shelters and rescues. HB 24-1033 Emergency Mgmt. Plan for Individuals with Animals – Asks local governments to include pets in their emergency management plans. HB 24-1271 State Income Tax Credit for Veterinary Professionals – Creates a state income tax credit for practice owners, veterinarians, and veterinary technicians to receive a tax credit if they work in underserved or rural communities. HB 24-1047 Veterinary Technician Scope of Practice – Clarifies the scope of practice for veterinary technicians. HB 24-1458 Create Division of Animal Welfare – Creates Division of Animal Welfare within the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Oppose HB 24-1114 Pet Animal Facility Requirements Before Euthanasia – Requires animal shelters to hold suffering animals for an indeterminate period while looking for a transfer option. HB 24-1048 Providing Veterinary Services through Telehealth – Regressive policy that limits veterinary telehealth by requiring an in-perseon VCPR prior to receiving any care.
Support SB 23-044 Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program – Expands the veterinary loan repayment program. HB 23-1041 Prohibit Wagering on Simulcast Greyhound Races – Ends simulcast gambling on greyhound races in Colorado. HB 23-1068 Pet Animal Ownership in Housing – Caps pet rent and pet deposits, clarifies how animals are handled during evictions, prohibits homeowners’ insurance companies from using dog breed in determining rates. HB 23-1286 Increase Penalty Cruelty Police and Service Animals – Increases penalties for cruelty and aggravated cruelty to service animals, certified police working dogs, and police working horses.
Support HB 22-1235 Continuing Veterinary Practice Act – Continues the regulation of veterinarians under DORA and updates the Veterinary Practice Act. SB 22-167 Affirm Greyhounds as Companion Petes – Removes the exemption for greyhound breeders from PACFA. HB22.1041 Privacy Protections for Protected Persons – Adds bureau of animal protection agents and animal control officers to the list of protected persons whose personal information may be withheld from the internet.
Support HB 21-1102 Consumer Protection for Dog and Cat Purchasers – Requires pet stores to list information about the breeders of dogs and cats on enclosures and advertising. HB 21-1160 Socially Conscious Sheltering Act – Requires that cats and dogs in shelters and rescues receive timely veterinary and behavioral care. HB 21-1235 Regulation of Fireworks – Limits the scope of firework sales by licensed firework retails.
Support HB 20-1084 Requirements for Dog and Cat Breeders and Sellers – Prohibits the sale of cats and dogs by pet stores or in public places. SB 20-104 Powers of Bureau of Animal Protection Agents – Updates BAP laws and grants agents the authority to conduct investigations related to complaints of animal cruelty. SB 20-208 Extending Expiring Tax Check-offs – Continues the income tax check-off for the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund
