Prohibiting Pet Animal Sales in Public Spaces

New limits on pet transfers in public

Colorado law bans selling, delivering, trading, auctioning, giving away, leasing, or otherwise transferring pets in public spaces. It also bans offering or advertising pets for sale or adoption there. The rule applies when the pet is physically in a covered public space at the time of transfer. Covered places include streets, highways, rights-of-way, parkways, medians, parks, recreation areas, outdoor markets, parking lots, and other public spaces. Exceptions cover state-licensed pet animal facilities, livestock sales, and hunting dogs bred or trained for lawful hunting. Owners, breeders, handlers, and trainers are also exempt while transporting pets to or from, exhibiting at, or competing at qualifying events. These events must be licensed, regulated, or sanctioned by the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, or another nationally recognized registering organization. Violations are class 2 misdemeanors. The law preserves authorized local governments’ power to regulate these activities. It takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day after the 90-day period following final adjournment ends, unless a referendum petition is filed. With a petition, it takes effect only after voter approval at the November 2026 general election and the governor’s declaration of the vote. The law applies to violations on or after its effective date.