Make shelter and rescue pets our Colorado State Pets!

We are closely monitoring and supporting Senate Bill 13-201, which would designate cats and dogs adopted from Colorado shelters and rescues as the official state pets of Colorado.

This eagerly awaited bill will celebrate our love for shelter and rescue pets in Colorado, and could lead to more cats and dogs being adopted from shelters and rescue groups in our fantastic, pet-friendly state.

SB13-201 is currently scheduled for a vote on the House floor in the next few days. We will keep you updated on its status.

Check out the bill draft to learn more.

Dog Protection Act Passes

Senate Bill 13-226 (known as the Dog Protection Act), passed the House of Representatives Monday by a vote of 64–0 and will now go to Gov. Hickenlooper for his signature. The bill would require training for Colorado’s local law enforcement officers to help them respond appropriately when encountering dogs in the line of duty. It also would set up a task force of veterinarians, animal behavior professionals and law enforcement representatives to develop the training.

Colorado has a high rate of dog ownership, which means that local law enforcement officers routinely encounter dogs while performing their duties. Some of these officers may not have much experience dealing with dogs and are unfamiliar with typical dog behaviors, occasionally resulting in the unnecessary use of firearms against dogs. The Dog Protection Act will help prevent dog shootings in Colorado.

SB13-226 was sponsored by Sen. Lucia Guzman (D-Denver), Sen. David Balmer (R-Denver), Rep. Lois Court (D-Denver) and Rep. Don Coram (R-Montrose).

Bill to weaken animal cruelty statute defeated in committee

Good news! Thanks in large part to your quick action, HB-13-1125 was defeated in committee at the Colorado Capitol on Feb. 18.

This is the bill we alerted you to last week. It would have affected the timing and ability of law enforcement authorities to impound livestock in certain animal cruelty situations.

Your calls and emails to Gov. Hickenlooper and members of the House Agriculture Committee increased awareness of the negative effects HB-13-1125 would have had. Your prompt action made a real difference when it mattered.

We thank you and ask that you stay tuned for more information about legislative activities we’re monitoring on behalf of all Colorado’s animals.