Committee advances bill banning sale of pets in public spaces after amendments

Representative Armagas, sponsor of House Bill 11‑80, told the House Business Affairs & Labor Committee the bill would close a loophole that allows unlicensed out‑of‑state sellers to offer puppies and other pets for sale in public spaces such as parking lots and road shoulders.

The measure, focused on companion animals, would prohibit unregulated sales in public spaces and give law enforcement tools to intervene. Supporters said the change would protect animal welfare and consumers; opponents worried about incidental effects on hunting‑related working animals, auctions and sovereign‑nation sales.

The committee heard more than a dozen witnesses over several hours. Linda Hart, legislative director for the Colorado Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners, said reputable breeders vet buyers and sometimes transfer dogs at licensed shows but do not sell animals in pens at show sites; she said her group supported the bill with Amendment L001, which narrowed broad language. Kara Thorson, who identified herself as documenting parking‑lot puppy sales, said sellers often traveled from other states and offered under‑vaccinated animals; she said local animal control officers had no clear authority to cite sellers. Cordelia Stone, a registered voter from La Porte, urged committee members to protect both pets and consumers and to vote yes.

Representatives of hunting and wildlife organizations testified with concerns about unintended consequences. Kathleen Curry of Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management and Justin Englovich, president of the United Houndsmen of Colorado, requested clearer exemptions for working animals and for the advertising and sale of working animals at nonprofit fundraising events. Committee amendments addressed those concerns.

The committee adopted Amendment L001, which the sponsor said made clear that local governments retain authority to set local rules. The committee also adopted Amendment L002, which exempts American Kennel Club and other registered dog breeders who transfer dogs at licensed shows and events and clarifies that the livestock exemption applies to the sale of stock (not merely sales at livestock events).

After testimony and amendment votes, the sponsor moved the bill as amended; the motion was seconded and the chair called the roll. The amendment votes were adopted in committee; the bill was moved as amended to the committee of the whole for further consideration.

The committee record shows strong advocacy from animal‑welfare and shelter groups — including representatives from the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, the Dumb Friends League, Colorado Voters for Animals and the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado — who said roadside sales often involve unvaccinated, under‑age or ill animals and lead to impulse purchases that later strain shelters. Witnesses described sellers using out‑of‑state plates and said sellers sometimes disappear after a sale, leaving buyers without recourse.

Committee members asked about enforcement, impacts on small events and tribal or charity sales. Sponsors said the amendments clarify exemptions and that further stakeholder work would continue before floor consideration.

The record shows the committee adopted the two offered amendments and forwarded the bill as amended; the transcript does not include a final, recorded floor vote on passage of the bill out of committee at this hearing.

For readers: the bill targets pet sales in public places (parking lots, road shoulders, parks) and preserves exemptions for licensed, registered breeders and for livestock sales as amended; stakeholders and sponsors said they will continue to fine‑tune language around hunting‑related animals, tribal sales and charity auctions.