Colorado bill banning dog and cat sales in pet stores clears its last major legislative hurdle
Apr 2, 2026, 10:08 AM
A bill that would ban pet stores in Colorado from selling dogs and cats cleared its last major legislative hurdle Monday (Mar. 30), passing the state Senate 19-16.
House Bill 26-1011 now returns to the House of Representatives for approval of an amendment that pushes the bill’s implementation date back one year, to Jan. 1, 2028. If approved, the measure will go to Gov. Jared Polis for final consideration.
Supporters say the bill would shut down the “puppy mill pipeline” by prohibiting pet stores and brokers from sourcing dogs and cats from large-scale commercial breeding operations.
Pet stores would still be permitted to house animals available for adoption through local shelters and rescues. Consumers could also continue to buy directly from breeders.
Eight states and 26 Colorado municipalities, including Denver, Fort Collins and Aurora, have already enacted similar bans on retail pet sales.
According to state legislators, only six or seven pet stores in Colorado currently sell dogs and cats.
The bill has drawn opposition from some pet store owners who say it could put them out of business. Critics also argue the ban would push buyers to unregulated online sellers and out-of-state markets, potentially increasing activity by the very puppy mills the bill aims to target.
The bill cleared the House in early March and passed a Senate committee hearing on March 24 before Monday’s full Senate vote.
