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New Colorado Laws Taking Effect 8/6/2025

New Pet Laws in Colorado

2025-08-05 Humane Society of Fremont County

Two significant new laws aimed at protecting pets and pet owners are set to take effect on August 6, 2025 in Colorado. These laws address concerns about unregulated pet sales and housing discrimination based on dog breeds, marking important progress for animal welfare in our state.

The Humane Society of Fremont County wants to ensure our community is informed about these important changes that will affect pet owners, potential adopters, and anyone involved in animal welfare throughout Fremont and Custer Counties.

House Bill 25-1180: Prohibiting Pet Sales in Public Spaces

Starting August 6, 2025, it will be illegal to sell, deliver, offer for adoption, barter, auction, give away, lease, or otherwise transfer any pet animal in public spaces throughout Colorado. This groundbreaking legislation, sponsored by Representatives Monica Duran (D) and Ryan Armagost (R), along with Senators Scott Bright (R) and Dylan Roberts (D), addresses serious concerns about unregulated pet sales that often originate from puppy mills and other large-scale commercial breeding operations.

The law specifically prohibits pet transactions in the following locations:

  • Public Streets and Highways
    Any roadside pet sales or adoptions will be prohibited

  • Parking Lots
    No more pet sales in store parking lots or other commercial parking areas

  • Parks and Recreation Areas
    Public parks, recreation areas, and outdoor markets cannot host pet sales

  • Other Public Spaces
    Includes median strips, parkways, and any other publicly accessible areas

Importantly, the law includes several exemptions to ensure legitimate animal welfare activities can continue. Licensed pet facilities operating under the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act are exempt, as are events primarily held for livestock sales. Additionally, pet owners, breeders, handlers, or trainers transporting animals to or from licensed exhibitions or competitions sanctioned by nationally recognized organizations are not affected by this law.

For our community in Fremont and Custer Counties, this means that reputable shelters like ours, licensed breeders, and established pet stores can continue operating as usual. The law targets unregulated sellers who often have no accountability to buyers and may be selling animals from cruel, large-scale commercial breeding operations where profit takes precedence over animal welfare.

Violating this new law will result in a Class 2 misdemeanor charge. We encourage anyone who witnesses illegal pet sales in public spaces after August 6 to report the activity to local law enforcement immediately.

House Bill 25-1207: Protecting Pet Owners from Housing Discrimination

The second major law taking effect on August 6, 2025, addresses a critical issue affecting pet owners across Colorado: breed-based discrimination in housing insurance. House Bill 25-1207, sponsored by House Majority Leader Monica Duran, Representative Javier Mabrey, and Senators Faith Winter and Tony Exum, expands existing protections to ensure that no family has to choose between keeping their beloved pet and maintaining a roof over their heads.

This legislation builds upon existing Colorado law that already prohibited insurers from denying homeowners insurance based solely on dog breed. The new law extends these protections to all residential structures, including rental properties, ensuring that both homeowners and renters are protected from breed discrimination.

Key provisions of HB 25-1207 include:

  • Insurance Protection for All Residential Properties
    Insurers cannot refuse, cancel, or increase premiums for any residential insurance policy based solely on the breed or breed mixture of a dog

  • Coverage Includes Multiple Policy Types
    Protection extends to homeowners insurance, renters insurance, dwelling fire insurance, and commercial policies for multifamily units

  • Exceptions for Dangerous Dogs
    Insurers can still take action if a specific dog has been officially declared dangerous under Colorado law, but decisions must be based on individual behavior, not breed

  • Public Housing Pet Allowance (Starting 2026)
    Beginning January 1, 2026, all state-financed affordable housing developments must allow tenants to keep up to two pets (dogs or cats)

This law represents a significant victory for responsible pet owners who have faced discrimination based on their dog's appearance rather than behavior. Studies have consistently shown that breed-specific policies are ineffective at improving public safety and instead create unnecessary barriers for families seeking housing with their pets.

What These Laws Mean for Our Community

At the Humane Society of Fremont County, we see firsthand how housing restrictions and unregulated pet sales impact animal welfare in our community. Recent studies from Colorado shelters found that nearly 40% of pet surrenders between 2022 and 2024 were due to restrictive housing policies. These new laws address two major factors contributing to pet homelessness and abandonment.

The prohibition on public space pet sales will help reduce impulse purchases from irresponsible sellers who often provide no health guarantees, vaccination records, or support after the sale. Buyers frequently have no recourse when animals purchased from parking lot sellers become ill or develop behavioral issues stemming from poor breeding practices and inadequate early socialization.

Meanwhile, the expanded insurance protections will help keep families and their pets together. No one should have to surrender a well-behaved, loving family member simply because of their breed or appearance. This is especially important in our current housing market, where finding affordable, pet-friendly housing has become increasingly challenging.

For those seeking to add a pet to their family, we encourage you to adopt from reputable sources like our shelter, where all animals receive proper veterinary care, behavioral assessments, and are spayed or neutered before adoption. Our adoption process ensures that pets are matched with appropriate families, and we provide ongoing support to help make every adoption successful.

How You Can Help

As these new laws take effect, community awareness and participation are crucial for their success. Here's how you can help ensure these protections work effectively:

  • Report Violations
    If you witness pet sales in parking lots, on roadsides, or in other public spaces after August 6, 2025, report them to local law enforcement

  • Support Responsible Adoption
    Choose to adopt from licensed shelters and rescues that provide proper veterinary care and follow Colorado's Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act

  • Know Your Rights
    If you're denied housing insurance based on your dog's breed, remind insurers of the new law and file a complaint with the Colorado Division of Insurance if necessary

  • Spread Awareness
    Share information about these new laws with friends, family, and neighbors to ensure everyone in our community knows their rights and responsibilities

The Humane Society of Fremont County applauds the bipartisan effort that made these laws possible. They represent meaningful progress in protecting both animals and the families who love them. As always, we remain committed to our mission of providing humane care for all animals in need while supporting responsible pet ownership throughout Fremont and Custer Counties.

If you have questions about these new laws or need assistance with pet adoption, surrender, or other services, please contact us at (719) 275-0663 or visit us at 110 Rhodes Avenue in Cañon City. Together, we can ensure that every life truly matters.

Additional Resources

For more information about these new laws and how they may affect you, consider reaching out to:

Remember, these laws go into effect on August 6, 2025. Mark your calendars and help us spread the word to ensure all Colorado pets and pet owners benefit from these important protections.

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