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Animal welfare

Protecting pets through advocacy

Woman with long hair embracing a golden retriever in warm orange-tinted lighting, circular frame with blue border

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.

Policy Statement:

Opposition to Amendment 83

Position: Humane Colorado opposes Amendment 83 because it could create unintended risks for companion animals. 

Amendment 83 would establish hunting as the preferred means of managing wildlife and permit “traditional methods” of trapping and luring animals. Some traditional hunting methods, such as leghold traps, poison, and snares can endanger dogs, cats, and other companion animals using trails, fields, and open spaces. Unintended trapping of companion animals can result in severe injury or death.  

Humane Colorado opposes Amendment 83 and supports humane, science-based wildlife-management policies that minimize risk to companion animals.

Learn more at keepcoloradosvoice.com or voteno83.org.

Advocacy Priorities and Positions

2026

 

House Bill 26-1198 – Access to veterinary care; veterinary drug donations
This bill will increase access to veterinary care by establishing a program to expedite the process of licensing a veterinarian and a veterinary technician by endorsement, and by creating a program for the donation of veterinary drugs. Learn more about HB26-1198.

House Bill 26-1183 – Sunset the Pet Animal Care & Facilities Act (PACFA)
This bill will continue the licensing of pet animal facilities in accordance with the “Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act”, or PACFA. This bill also includes the recommendations contained in the 2025 sunset report by the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Learn more about HB26-1183.

Support

House Bill 26-1011 – Transfer of Certain Pet Animals
This bill will prohibit the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores. Learn more about HB26-1011.

House Bill 26-1045 – Assistance Animals in Housing
This bill will put into Colorado law the definition of an assistance and emotional support animal and the definition of a reasonable accommodation. Learn more about HB26-1045.

House Bill 26-1229 – Supporting the Human-Animal Bond
This bill adds the human-animal bond to the definition of “social determinants of health” to acknowledge the human-animal bond as a life-enhancing resource that impacts the length and quality of human life. Learn more about HB26-1229.

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.

“We believe that every pet owner should have access to veterinary care for their animals. Colorado residents are struggling to access the care they need for their pets and we stand firm in our dedication to provide more resources for pet owners across the state.”

– Dr. Apryl Steele, former President and CEO of Humane Colorado

Join PAW

PAW is our grassroots outreach initiative paving the way for our passionate animal welfare community to engage in public policy. Founded in 2019, PAW extends our mission with legislative engagement throughout Colorado to provide access and education for responsible pet ownership.

PAWticipation includes contacting legislators, writing letters to the editor, posting on social media, attending hearings at the Capitol, or gathering signatures for legislative support – all to promote animal welfare, safety, and protection.

Interested in learning more about Humane Colorado’s animal advocacy work and how YOU can get involved?

We look forward to working with you to end pet homelessness and animal suffering, ensuring all Colorado pets are healthy, safe, and with a family that loves them.

Reach out!

Animal Advocacy with Humane Colorado 2020-2023

Explore our previous legislative engagement for a more humane Colorado.

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