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, according to 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, according to The Denver Gazette.
He also pointed to the financial and emotional toll on families who bought sick animals from
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