Democrats in Colorado have passed a law that bans pet stores from selling dogs and cats outright.
Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed the measure on Wednesday,accordingto KUSA-TV. The legislation,House Bill 26-1011, eliminates retail sales of dogs and cats across the state.
The new law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, rewriting how Coloradans can acquire pets.
Under the law, stores cannot sell, lease, barter, auction, or otherwise transfer ownership of a dog or cat.
Pet stores will still be allowed to host animals for adoption through shelters. But they cannot collect a fee tied to those animals.
Supporters say the goal is to shut down what they call the “puppy mill pipeline.”
Polis said the law is meant to stop “harmful overbreeding” and push adoption,accordingto The Denver Gazette.
He also pointed to the financial and emotional toll on families who bought sick animals from stores, KUSA reported.
“We have heard so many stories of people who bought dogs — wasn’t cheap — from stores and had to spend thousands of dollars they didn’t have in veterinary bills,” Polis said.
State House Majority Leader Monica Duran spent eight years advancing the bill. She framed the issue as an important effort to see more animals adopted.
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