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DENVER, CO — Governor Jared Polis today signed four bills, sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran, to protect the health and safety of Colorado’s pets and wild horses.
HB25-1180 prohibits anyone unlicensed from selling pets in public spaces with limited exceptions. HB25-1299 supports the care of animals during an unforeseen crisis or natural disaster. HB25-1207, also sponsored by Representative Javier Mabrey, ensures affordable housing developments have reasonable pet policies. HB25-1283 helps the state sustainably manage the wild horse population.
“Pets offer unconditional love and companionship to so many Coloradans – I’m honored to sponsor these laws that will keep our pets safer and healthier,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, sponsor of HB25-1180, HB25-1299, HB25-1207 and HB25-1283. “These new laws fight back against unauthorized pet sales and boost funding for the state-run program that cares for animals and livestock during an emergency. Another important law I sponsored makes sure that no one, regardless of income or zip code, has to choose between their pet and stable housing. Lastly, we took concrete steps to sustainably and humanely manage the wild horse population for generations to come.”
“Having a pet has numerous benefits, and no one should have to choose between their family and a stable place to live,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver, sponsor of HB25-1207. “Denver has some of the highest rates of pet ownership, with at least one dog for every four people that live here. This new law requires affordable housing developments that receive state support to have reasonable pet policies that prevent owners from having to rehome their pet, breaking down barriers to safe housing and keeping families together.”
HB25-1180, also sponsored by Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, prohibits the sale or transfer of animals in any public spaces, such as parking lots, with limited exceptions. This law does not apply to livestock. HB25-1180 aims to regulate on illegitimate animal sales (such as illegitimate sellers selling puppies in parking lots) and ensure the health and safety of cats, dogs and other common household pets.
HB25-1299, also sponsored by Rep. Armagost, supports the care of animals and livestock during an emergency. This law boosts the Animal Protection Fund by creating a voluntary contribution on Colorado’s tax forms. This fund helps care for animals and livestock during a crisis, such as a natural disaster or wildfire.
Beginning January 1, 2026, HB25-1207 will prohibit housing developments that receive state dollars from denying tenants from owning up to two cats or dogs or prohibiting certain animals based on breed or weight restrictions. Under the law, affordable housing developments will not be eligible for funding from the Department of Local Affairs or tax credits from the Colorado Housing Finance Authority if they do not allow their tenants to own up to two cats or dogs.
A recent study from Humane Colorado found that almost 40 percent of animals brought to animal shelters between 2022 and 2024 were due to restrictive pet policies in housing.
HB25-1283, also sponsored by Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter, R-Trinidad, will help the state better manage the wild horse population. Specifically, this law establishes a new, diverse committee to aid the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) in population control, including exploring long-term solutions like a wild horse sanctuary, for wild horses. The bill also authorizes CDA to provide immunocontraception programs to manage populations.
A 2023 law, also sponsored by Majroity Leader Duran established a working group that outlined recommendations for managing herds of wild horses while considering the viewpoints of various stakeholders, including public land managers, ranchers and animal advocates.
This law extends the wild horse management program and permanently implements the working group’s recommendations by focusing on population control and supporting on-range stewardship to ensure the sustainability of wild horses.