Traveling Animal Protection Act Environmental Education Program

Animal education programs require qualified professionals

Under Colorado’s Traveling Animal Protection Act, animal exhibitions qualify as environmental education programs only when qualified professionals conduct them. The individual or organization must be qualified to teach environmental information and hold accreditation or certification from an approved group. Those groups are the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, and American Sanctuary Association. This requires professional oversight but limits who can offer qualifying programs. Existing allowances for using livestock and horses, and transporting them within, into, or out of Colorado, remain unchanged. The law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after the 90-day period following final legislative adjournment expires. That date is August 12, 2026, if final adjournment is May 13, 2026. A referendum petition filed within that period delays the challenged provisions until voters approve them at the November 2026 election. In that case, they take effect when the governor officially declares the election result.