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Today, the Colorado Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a ballot initiative seeking to expand the state’s cruelty laws cannot proceed.

As such, supporters may no longer collect signatures. They would need to draft a new proposal and resubmit it for consideration and hearings again by the state Title Board. It is very unlikely that this will occur in time for the 2022 ballot.

Volunteers are currently circulating petitions throughout Colorado to put a measure on the November 2022 ballot that is claimed to protect animals, but portions of the proposal would result in significant harmful consequences for dogs, dog owners, breeders, and other animals and livestock.

The United Stated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the temporary suspension of the importation of dogs from countries classified as high risk for canine rabies.

The initiative informally titled "Protect Animals from Unnecessary Suffering and Exploitation" (PAUSE) is a ballot initiative filed with the state of Colorado for the November 2022 midterm election. If the initiative receives enough signatures (124,600 registered Colorado voters), it will be added to the ballot for a vote.

While we all want to protect animals from suffering and exploitation,
this ballot initiative contains legislative language that will create problems for dog breeders, farmers, and ranchers in our state. It is important that we educate ourselves about this initiative and do what we can to stop it before it goes to ballot.

The "Pet Store Consumer Protection Act", amended, has passed out of the Agriculture Committee and has been referred to the House. Please continue to follow this bill and contact your Colorado state representative to let them know of your opposition.