CVMA is closely monitoring several bills in the Colorado legislature that could potentially affect animals and veterinarians in the state if they are passed and signed into law.
Below are bills that have been introduced, along with a short synopsis of each. Updates and changes to these bills will be announced to CVMA members in eVOICE, and on our website.
Note: the summaries below were generated on February 14, 2025. These may change; visit Colorado General Assembly for the latest.
Bills CVMA is supporting
Changes to Dangerous Dog Statute (HB 25-1034)
In the case of a veterinary health-care worker, dog groomer, humane agency personnel, professional dog handler, or trainer acting in the performance of that person’s professional duties, the bill removes the term “or serious bodily injury” to the list provisions that the statute does not apply to, leaving just “bodily injury”.
CVMA supports this bill. The bill takes a positive step that benefits public safety allowing dogs that inflict serious bodily injury to a veterinary health care worker, dog groomer, humane agency personnel, professional dog handler, or trainer, to be classified as a dangerous dog in state law.
Bills CVMA is monitoring
Adopt a Shelter Pet Account Community Cats (HB 25-1137)
The bill creates a grant program to support Colorado-based animal welfare facilities, including pet rescues and spay/neuter organizations, in managing community cats through trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs. The program is funded by the pet overpopulation fund, with grants awarded by the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Authority. Facilities must be licensed and in good standing to apply, and at least 20% of grants must go toward TNR efforts. The bill also modifies the board’s composition and qualifications, adding representatives from No Kill Colorado and spay/neuter organizations. Additionally, 70% of the funds must go to facilities in counties with populations under 200,000.
Pet Ownership Residential Housing Structures (HB 25-1207)
The bill clarifies that homeowners insurance protections against breed-based discrimination apply to all residential structures, whether owned or rented. It also requires affordable housing developments receiving financing under the Colorado Housing Act of 1970 to allow tenants to keep pets, with reasonable conditions. Additionally, the bill mandates that tax credit claimants for affordable housing must permit tenants to own pets, also subject to reasonable conditions.
Health-Related Research Test Subjects (SB 25-085)
The bill requires health-related research facilities to offer dogs and cats for adoption to shelters or rescues before euthanizing them. If the facility has an internal adoption program, animals may be offered there first. The facility must submit an annual report to the Department of Public Health and Environment, detailing the number of animals used in research, transferred for adoption, adopted through internal programs, and the names and addresses of shelters or rescues involved.
Use of Veterinary Telehealth (SB 25-159)
The bill modifies veterinary telehealth laws in Colorado. It allows veterinarians to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) via telehealth, removing the need for in-person exams or visits. The term “telehealth” replaces “telemedicine” in existing laws. The bill also permits veterinarians to prescribe medications through telehealth, provided a VCPR is established and certain requirements are met, though an in-person exam is still needed for controlled substances or long-term antimicrobial prescriptions. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement for veterinarians to be available in person for follow-up evaluations and repeals restrictions on veterinary specialists prescribing medication without an in-person exam.
Eliminate Student Cap at Colorado State University’s Veterinary Program (HB 25-1131)
The bill eliminates the statutory cap on the number of veterinary students permitted to attend Colorado state university at one time. The bill eliminates additional financial limitations related to the professional veterinary medicine program at Colorado state university.
