summary
Introduced
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
In Committee
04/21/2026
04/21/2026
Crossed Over
03/27/2026
03/27/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Sunset Process - House Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources Committee. The bill implements the recommendations of the department of regulatory agencies in its 2025 sunset review of the "Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act" (PACFA) as follows: ! Sections 1 and 2 of the bill continue the commissioner of agriculture's (commissioner) function of licensing pet animal facilities in accordance with the PACFA for 15 years, until 2041; ! Section 3 amends the PACFA's pet animal advisory committee (committee) membership structure by requiring the commissioner, on and after January 1, 2027, to appoint members with certain specifications. Section 3 also specifies that members appointed to the committee on and after January 1, 2027, may serve no more than consecutive terms of 4 years. ! Section 4 prohibits the importation of certain pet animals into the state without a valid certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian in the state of origin within 10 days prior to the pet animal's arrival in Colorado; ! Section 5 clarifies that the commissioner is authorized to adopt rules extending the required minimum holding periods for pet animals held by or in the custody of a licensed animal shelter; ! Section 6 removes the current maximum fee amount of $700 for pet animal facility license application fees and permits the commissioner to establish the fee amount by rule, which amount must be based on the direct and indirect costs of processing license applications; ! Section 7 raises the maximum civil penalty amount for a violation of the PACFA or of a rule adopted pursuant to the PACFA from $1,000 per violation to $2,500 per violation; ! Section 8 states that a person that chooses to request a hearing in response to a cease-and-desist order issued by the commissioner for a violation of the PACFA or of a rule adopted pursuant to the PACFA must do so within 30 days after the issuance of the cease-and-desist order; and ! Section 9 relocates the statute that establishes the pet overpopulation authority (authority) so the authority is no longer subject to sunset review as part of the PACFA. Sections 10 through 13 make conforming amendments.
AI Summary
This bill extends the "Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act" (PACFA) for an additional 15 years, until 2041, continuing the Commissioner of Agriculture's role in licensing pet animal facilities. It also modifies the Pet Animal Advisory Committee (committee), restructuring its membership and limiting terms to four consecutive years starting in 2027. The bill introduces new requirements for importing certain pet animals, mandating a veterinary inspection certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, and allows the Commissioner to adjust rules for minimum holding periods for animals in shelters. Fee structures are updated, removing the $700 cap on license application fees and allowing the Commissioner to set them based on costs, while increasing the maximum civil penalty for violations from $1,000 to $2,500. Additionally, individuals responding to a cease-and-desist order must now request a hearing within 30 days of its issuance, and the statute establishing the pet overpopulation authority is moved to prevent it from being subject to sunset review under PACFA.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance
Sponsors (18)
Lisa Cutter (D)*,
Monica Duran (D)*,
Karen McCormick (D)*,
Byron Pelton (R)*,
Judy Amabile (D),
Kyle Brown (D),
James Coleman (D),
Lori Goldstein (D),
Junie Joseph (D),
Chris Kolker (D),
Mandy Lindsay (D),
Janice Marchman (D),
Bob Marshall (D),
Kenny Nguyen (D),
Manny Rutinel (D),
Lesley Smith (D),
Alex Valdez (D),
Katie Wallace (D),
Last Action
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments (on 04/22/2026)
Official Document
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