New laws target wildlife trafficking, puppy mills, breed bias and give lab animals a path to adoption

DENVER, Co. (July 08, 2025)—Today, Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, released its 2025 Colorado Humane Scorecard. The scorecard grades state lawmakers on their actions to advance animal protection during the most recent legislative session and marks its second year of publication.

Released by the nation’s leading animal advocacy organization, the 2025 Colorado Humane Scorecard highlights new laws that will advance protections for companion animals and wildlife alike. This includes SB25-085, signed at a ceremony held by Governor Jared Polis in April—the act provides an avenue for adoption of a dog or cat used in testing at a health-related research facility.

Bills were also signed into law to strengthen anti-wildlife-trafficking measures; crack down on bad breeders, by banning the sale of certain pets in public spaces; and expand options for pet owners in housing when it comes to insurance coverage.

“We had another very productive legislative session with several victories for animal protection,” said Aubyn Royall, Colorado state director for Humane World Action Fund. “It was particularly exciting that Governor Polis held a dedicated signing ceremony for our bill granting former laboratory animals’ new lives as adoptable pets. We thank the governor and the state legislators who work so hard, for their commitment to making Colorado a more humane state.”

Nearly all Colorado senators—29 in total—scored 75% or higher on the scorecard, with 22 Senators receiving a perfect score of 100%. Additionally, more than half the Colorado House of Representatives—38 members—received a perfect score.

About the scorecard

All bills featured in the 2025 Colorado Humane Scorecard passed the Colorado General Assembly and were signed into law. Humane World Action Fund only scores bills that receive rollcall votes to accurately reflect legislators’ actions. When reading the scorecard, a ✓ indicates a pro-animal action.

  • Health-Related Research Test Subjects (SB25-085): The act requires health-related research facilities that test on dogs and cats to offer those animals for adoption before euthanizing them. Those who have adopted former research dogs and cats can attest to the resilience and affection of these animals once they are given the chance to flourish in a home environment, after spending years in a laboratory. Sponsored by Sen. Cathy Kipp (D-14), Sen. John Carson (R-30), Rep. Manny Rutinel (D-32) and Rep. Amy Paschal (D-18).
  • Prevention of Wildlife Trafficking (SB25-168): The bill increases penalties for existing prohibitions on possession, sale, and destruction of wildlife when the wildlife is a threatened, endangered, or CITES-listed species. It also prohibits certain conduct if wildlife was the subject of upstream offenses under other laws. Like Colorado, states must enact strong laws against wildlife trafficking to help stop international criminal schemes. Sponsored by Sen. Scott Bright (R-13), Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-8), Rep. Ryan Armagost (R-64) and Rep. Cecilia Espenoza (D-4).
  • Prohibiting Pet Animal Sales in Public Spaces (HB25-1180): This act prohibits the sale of certain pet animals in public spaces, including parking lots, with some exceptions. Pets sold in public spaces are often from large-scale, cruel, commercial sellers. Buyers often have no recourse or way of contacting the seller about the animal after the sale is made. Sponsored by Rep. Monica Duran (D-23), Rep. Ryan Armagost (R-64), Sen. Scott Bright (R-13) and Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-8).
  • Pet Ownership Residential Housing Structures (HB25-1207): Colorado law prohibits insurers from refusing to provide coverage or raising premiums for homeowners insurance or dwelling fire insurance based on the breed of their dogs. This act now extends this to all residential structures used as a residence by owners or renters. Access to housing is becoming more challenging, and Coloradans should not have to consider surrendering their pet to find affordable housing. Sponsored by Rep. Javier Mabrey (D-1), Rep. Monica Duran (D-23), Sen. Faith Winter (D-25) and Sen. Tony Exum (D-11).

As the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal protection, Humane World Action Fund publishes state legislative and congressional scorecards to track the relevant votes, co-sponsorships and other actions of lawmakers. These scorecards highlight which lawmakers are leading on animal protection, and which ones need greater pressure to act. Explore all our scorecards online at humaneaction.org/humane-scorecard.

Media Contact: 
Liz Bartolomeo: ebartolomeo@humaneaction.org, 240-472-0475