The Cavalry Group - OPPOSE CO HB 25-1180

HELP STOP Colorado House Bill 25-1180, titled

"Prohibiting Pet Animal Sales in Public Spaces"

Colorado House Bill 25-1180, titled "Prohibiting Pet Animal Sales in Public Spaces," has progressed through the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, which is scheduled to hold a hearing on April 3, 2025, at 1:30 PM in Senate Committee Room 352.

It is important to note that amendments have been made to the bill to address some concerns. For instance, exemptions were added for pet owners, breeders, handlers, or trainers transporting animals to or from events sanctioned by nationally recognized organizations, and for hunting dogs bred or trained for lawful hunting.

Additionally, discussions have clarified that pre-arranged sales with an agreed-upon meeting place in a public area are not intended to be prohibited by this legislation. These amendments aim to balance the bill's objectives with the interests of lawful animal owners and breeders.

Despite recent amendments that attempt to address concerns from responsible & lawful animal owners and breeders, Colorado House Bill 25-1180 remains a fundamentally flawed piece of legislation that should be stopped.

While exemptions have been added for certain categories—such as those transporting animals for sanctioned events and hunting dogs—these revisions do not resolve the broader problems the bill creates for law-abiding breeders, pet owners, and small businesses.

Key Reasons to Oppose HB 25-1180:

Government Overreach & Unnecessary Restrictions

The bill unnecessarily expands government control over the sale and transfer of animals, infringing on the rights of responsible breeders, sellers, and pet owners.
Even with amendments, it places undue restrictions on lawful transactions that have long taken place in public spaces without issue.

Vague & Subjective Enforcement

While the bill’s supporters claim that "pre-arranged sales" in public places will not be prohibited, the language is still too vague and open to interpretation.
Law enforcement and regulators could still misapply the law, leading to unfair penalties for responsible sellers simply meeting customers in common, neutral locations.

Burden on Law-Abiding Breeders & Small Businesses

Many reputable breeders and animal businesses rely on public spaces (such as parking lots) as safe and convenient meeting points for animal transfers.
By limiting these options, HB 25-1180 disproportionately impacts small-scale breeders and responsible sellers who do not have storefronts.

Encouraging Unregulated, Underground Sales

Restricting where people can responsibly sell animals will push transactions into unmonitored spaces, making it harder to ensure animal welfare.
Rather than increasing protections, this law risks fueling illicit and unregulated sales, which lack oversight and transparency.

Existing Laws Already Address Animal Welfare Concerns

Colorado already has comprehensive animal welfare regulations, including licensing requirements under the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA).
Instead of passing redundant laws that hurt responsible businesses, enforcement of existing laws should be prioritized to target bad actors.

Sets a Dangerous Precedent for Future Bans

Even with the amendments, this bill creates a precedent for future restrictions on how, where, and when animals can be sold or transferred.
Activist groups could push for expansions of this law, ultimately leading to greater restrictions on lawful breeding and animal enterprises.
While amendments have addressed some concerns, HB 25-1180 remains unnecessary, harmful, and restrictive to responsible animal owners and businesses. The bill’s vague language, excessive government overreach, and unintended consequences make it a serious threat to law-abiding breeders, sellers, and pet owners.

Please take one minute from your day to send an email to EACH MEMBER of the Colorado State Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee to oppose this bill to protect the rights of lawful animal enterprises and ensure that unnecessary regulations do not harm legitimate businesses and individuals.

Committee Member Emails: (copy & paste)

dylan.roberts.senate@coleg.gov

jessie.danielson.senate@coleg.gov

marc.catlin.senate@coleg.gov

nick.hinrichsen.senate@coleg.gov

janice.marchman.senate@coleg.gov

byron.pelton.senate@coleg.gov

rod.pelton.senate@coleg.gov

**SAMPLE LETTER BELOW: Please make changes to the boiler-plate letter to make it your own.

Dear Chairman Roberts, Vice Chair Danielson and Members of the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee,

I am writing to oppose Colorado House Bill 25-1180, which aims to restrict the sale and transfer of pet animals in "public spaces." Although recent amendments have introduced exemptions for pet owners, breeders, handlers, or trainers transporting animals to or from events sanctioned by nationally recognized organizations, as well as for hunting dogs bred or trained for lawful hunting, these changes do not fully address the underlying issues inherent in the legislation.

My concerns are rooted in several critical points:

Government Overreach & Unnecessary Restrictions:
The bill imposes broad restrictions that significantly limit the rights of responsible breeders and pet owners. It interferes with traditional and lawful practices, potentially criminalizing legitimate transactions that have long been conducted without issue in public spaces.
Ambiguity in Enforcement:
Despite clarifications regarding pre-arranged sales, the language used in the legislation remains overly vague. This lack of clarity opens the door for inconsistent enforcement and may result in unjust penalties against law-abiding individuals simply engaging in legal activities.
Economic Impact on Responsible Businesses:
Many small-scale breeders and animal-related businesses rely on public spaces as meeting points for safe and convenient animal transfers. This bill places an undue burden on these enterprises, potentially driving responsible sales underground and harming the local economy.
Potential to Encourage Unregulated Sales:
By limiting where responsible transactions can occur, the bill risks pushing animal sales into unmonitored environments. This unintended consequence could compromise animal welfare and make it more difficult to ensure adherence to existing standards and regulations.
Redundancy with Existing Regulations:
Colorado already has comprehensive animal welfare regulations, including those under the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act. Instead of introducing redundant restrictions that negatively impact law-abiding citizens and businesses, efforts should be focused on enforcing current laws that target irresponsible practices.

In light of these concerns, we urge the Committee to reconsider the merits of HB 25-1180. While we appreciate the efforts made to incorporate amendments that recognize the needs of law-abiding animal owners and breeders, the overall framework of the bill remains detrimental to a significant segment of our community. We respectfully request that the Committee oppose this legislation.

Sincerely,

The Cavalry Group • P.O. Box 8 • Guthrie • OK • 73044 • Ph: 855-748-4210