Transfers of Certain Pet Animals

Colorado pet sellers face new limits

Beginning January 1, 2027, Colorado pet stores cannot sell, lease, barter, auction, or otherwise transfer ownership of dogs or cats. They also cannot offer dogs or cats for sale or lease. Stores may host adoption displays run by licensed animal shelters or pet animal rescues, without receiving a display fee. Displayed animals must be sterilized under state and local rules. The law also bans brokers from selling, leasing, offering, bartering, auctioning, or otherwise transferring dogs or cats. Brokers are people who act for profit, in person or online, to transfer pet animals bred by someone else. Someone transferring no more than three individual pet animals per calendar year, each only once, is not a broker. Exceptions to the broker ban and adoption-display rules cover transfers to Colorado state or local government agencies and transfers of guide, signal, or service dogs. They also cover transfers by shelters, rescues, original breeders, and health-related research facilities covered by section 35-82-102. Hunting-dog sales or transfers are exempt when the dog is bred or trained for lawful hunting. That exception requires transfer to or by someone with a current Colorado hunting license in good standing. Local governments can set stricter rules.