Colorado § 33-1-126 - Prohibiting certain animals in a traveling animal act - short title - definitions.

§ 33-1-126. Prohibiting certain animals in a traveling animal act - short title - definitions.

(1) The short title of this section is the "Traveling Animal Protection Act".

(2) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Cause a performance" means to allow for the participation of an animal in a performance, to be responsible for a performance, to financially benefit as an owner or operator from a performance, to financially benefit as a person who owns or controls a property used for a performance, or to use any means of communication for the purpose of promoting a performance on behalf of the owner or operator of a performance or the venue for a performance.

(b) "Environmental education program" means an animal exhibition that:

(I) Is designed by a professional to impart knowledge or information for educational or conservation purposes about one or more animals' natural behavior, habitat, life cycle, or similar pedagogical information;

(II) Is conducted by a professional qualified to impart such information; and

(III) Does not include any performance of behavior by an animal that does not naturally occur for that animal in the wild state, except for industry-standard husbandry practices for veterinary purposes.

(c) "Performance" means any animal act, circus, ride, carnival, parade, race, performance, or similar undertaking in which animals are:

(I) Required to perform tricks, give rides, or participate as accompaniments for the entertainment, amusement, or benefit of an audience; or

(II) Used primarily for photographic purposes.

(c.5) "Professional" means an individual or an organization that has obtained a professional accreditation or certification from at least one of the following:

(I) The Association of Zoos and Aquariums;

(II) The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries; or

(III) The American Sanctuary Association.

(d) "Rodeo" means a competition involving livestock, as defined in section 35-80-102 (9); alternative livestock, as defined in section 35-41.5-102 (1); or both.

(e) "Traveling animal act" means any performance of an animal where the animal is transported to, from, or between locations for the purpose of the performance.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, a person shall not cause a performance of the following animals, including hybrids of the following animals, whether wild-borne or captive-bred, in a traveling animal act:

(a) Cetartiodactyla other than bison, cattle, deer, elk, goats, reindeer, swine, and sheep;

(b) Felidae other than domestic cats;

(c) Wild canidae other than domestic dogs;

(d) Marsupialia;

(e) Nonhuman primates;

(f) Perissodactyla other than horses, donkeys, and mules;

(g) Pinnipedia;

(h) Proboscidea;

(i) Ratites;

(j) Spheniscidae; and

(k) Ursidae.

(4) This section does not prohibit the use of an animal specified in subsection (3) of this section:

(a) In an exhibition at a:

(I) Wildlife sanctuary; or

(II) Nonmobile, permanent institution, facility, zoo, or aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, or any successor organizations;

(b) If the animal is livestock, as defined in section 35-80-102 (9), or alternative livestock, as defined in section 35-41.5-102 (1);

(c) As part of an environmental education program if:

(I) The animal is not used more than six months in a calendar year; and

(II) The animal is not kept in a vehicle for more than twelve hours per day, when the vehicle is used to transport or house the animal while traveling to, from, or between locations for performance purposes;

(d) By a university, college, laboratory, or other research facility properly licensed or registered under the federal "Animal Welfare Act of 1970", 7 U.S.C. sec. 2131 et seq., as amended, for the purpose of conducting research;

(e) For the sole purpose of a film, as defined in section 24-48.5-114 (1), or a television production, if the use in the film or television production does not involve a live animal exhibition or performance conducted before an audience or interaction with an audience, the public, clients, or customers; or

(f) At a rodeo or county fair.

(5) A person who violates this section is guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars and not more than one thousand dollars per violation.

(6) This section does not prohibit working dog trials, livestock or horse shows, or any other exhibition involving livestock.

Source: L. 2021: Entire section added, (SB 21-135), ch. 137, p. 774, § 1, effective September 7; (5) amended, (SB 21-271), ch. 462, p. 3331, § 801, effective March 1, 2022. L. 2026: (2)(b)(II) amended and (2)(c.5) added, (HB 26-1133), ch. 71, p. 281, § 2, effective August 12.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 26-1133, see section 1 of chapter 71, Session Laws of Colorado 2026.