Bill > HB1045

This bill clarifies and expands protections for individuals with disabilities in Colorado regarding housing, particularly concerning assistance animals. It defines "assistance animal" to include animals that perform tasks, assist, or provide therapeutic emotional support for a person with a disability, encompassing both emotional support animals and service animals, and defines "emotional support animal" as one providing solely emotional support to alleviate a disability symptom. The bill also defines "reasonable accommodation" as necessary adjustments to housing rules or practices to ensure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities to use and enjoy their homes, including common areas. Importantly, it establishes that the mere presence of an assistance animal is not considered a direct threat or a cause of substantial property damage, though housing providers can consider documented, specific harmful conduct of an animal. Furthermore, permitting an assistance animal is presumed to be a reasonable accommodation, and a complete prohibition of them is presumed discriminatory, provided the housing provider has engaged in an interactive process to evaluate the request, unless the disability or need is obvious.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1045