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Colorado State Service Dog Laws
This is a summarized version of state laws regarding service dogs in Colorado. Please refer to the full statutes for detailed information
Public Accommodation
(1) A qualified individual with a disability has the right to be accompanied by a service animal individually trained for that individual without being required to pay an extra charge for the service animal in or on the following places or during the following activities and subject to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all individuals:
(a) Any place of employment, housing, or public accommodation;
(b) Any programs, services, or activities conducted by a public entity;
(c) Any public transportation service; or
(d) Any other place open to the public.
(2) A trainer of a service animal, or an individual with a disability accompanied by an animal that is being trained to be a service animal, has the right to be accompanied by the service animal in training without being required to pay an extra charge for the service animal in training in or on the following places or during the following activities:
(a) Any place of employment, housing, or public accommodation;
(b) Any programs, services, or activities conducted by a public entity;
(c) Any public transportation service; or
(d) Any other place open to the public.
SDiT Access
Service dogs in training have equal access to public places as trained service dogs
Trainer or person with a disability can handle a SDiT
Definitions
Colorado only recognizes dogs and miniature horses as service animals
Harassment or Interference
(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or agent of any person, firm, or corporation to:
(a) Withhold, deny, deprive, or attempt to withhold, deny, or deprive a qualified individual with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal or a trainer of a service animal of any of the rights or privileges secured in section 24-34-803;
(b) Threaten to interfere with any of the rights of a qualified individual with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal or a trainer of a service animal secured in section 24-34-803;
(c) Punish or attempt to punish a qualified individual with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal or a trainer of a service animal for exercising or attempting to exercise any right or privilege secured by section 24-34-803; or
(d) Interfere with, injure, or harm, or cause another dog to interfere with, injure, or harm, a service animal.
(2)
(a) Any person who violates subsection (1)(a), (1)(b), or (1)(c) of this section commits a petty offense and shall be punished as provided in section 18-1.3-503.
(b) Any person who violates subsection (1)(d) of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor.
(3)
(a)
(I) Except as provided for in subparagraphs (II) and (III) of this paragraph (a), a person who violates any provision of subsection (1) of this section is liable to the qualified individual with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal or a trainer of a service animal whose rights were affected for the penalties provided in section 24-34-802.
(II) A person who willfully or wantonly causes harm to a service animal or a service animal in training is liable to the legal owner of the service animal or service animal in training for treble the amount of actual damages.
(III) The legal owner of an animal that is willfully or wantonly allowed to cause harm to a service animal or a service animal in training is liable to the legal owner of the service animal or service animal in training for treble the amount of actual damages.
(b) In any action commenced pursuant to this subsection (3), a court may award costs and reasonable attorney fees.
(c) An animal care or control agency is exempt from the provisions of this subsection (3) if, after a good-faith effort, the agency is unaware that the animal is a service animal
Health Codes
Animals shall not be allowed in the body art procedure areas, or the instrument cleaning,
sterilization, or storage areas. Fish aquariums and/or service animals shall be allowed in waiting rooms and non-procedural areas.PROCEDURE AREA means any surface of an inanimate object that contacts the client's skin
during a body art procedure and all surfaces where instruments and supplies are placed
during a procedure
Note: The entire room where body art is performed is not a procedure area.
Misrepresentation/ Service Dog Fraud
(1) A person commits intentional misrepresentation of a service animal if:
(a) The person intentionally misrepresents an animal in his or her possession as his or her service animal or service-animal-in-training for the purpose of obtaining any of the rights or privileges set forth in section 24-34-803, C.R.S.;
(b) The person was previously given a written or verbal warning regarding the fact that it is illegal to intentionally misrepresent a service animal; and
(c) The person knows that the animal in question is not a service animal or service-animal-in-training.
(2) A person who violates subsection (1) of this section commits a petty offense and, upon conviction, notwithstanding section 18-1.3-503, shall be punished as follows:
(a) For a first offense, a fine of twenty-five dollars;
(b) For a second offense, a fine of not less than fifty dollars but not more than two hundred dollars; and
(c) For a third or subsequent offense, a fine of not less than one hundred dollars but not more than five hundred dollars.