ALERT: Colorado

UPDATE 5/21/25: Colorado PACFA Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 10:00 – 12:00 (MDT) (In-Person & Virtual)

Registration link and more details at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PACFA-Advisory-Committee-Agenda-May-28-2025-.pdf.

Read the final rule changes at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/25-PACFA-final-rule-8-CCR-1202-15-Bluelined.pdf.

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UPDATE: The formal proposal has been posted, and a hearing has been scheduled. You can read the proposed rule chnages (changes in red) at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/25-PACFA-formal-proposal-redlined.pdf.

Meeting information: virtual meeting

Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time
Location: This hearing will be held via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84785791996?pwd=9NeusWzIsDni7pbUDQw8ZjpMSLbPXE.1

Call Information: 1-719-359-4580
Meeting ID: 847 8579 1996
Passcode: 146918

In order to maintain a proper hearing record:

1. You are encouraged to pre-register by completing this Google form, OR
2. You may send your name and telephone number to: cda_rulemaking@state.co.us

Note: Pre-registration is not required to participate in the hearing. Public comment will be limited to 3 minutes per person.

Comments must be submitted by 4/24/25 to cda_rulemaking@state.co.us.

Read the PACFA post at (scroll down to April 24 meeting): https://ag.colorado.gov/home/legislation-laws-regulations-and-rule-hearings

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UPDATE 1/22/25: The PACFA meeting was today. USARK and three stakeholders attended in person (who all did great when speaking), with a few more in attendance virtually. PACFA is still accepting comments, and below is a proposed rulemaking schedule. Email comments to cda_pacfa@state.co.us.

1. Formal proposal will be posted by February 28;
2. A public hearing will be held in April (no speculated date);
3. The final rules could be posted July 15.

UPDATE 1/14/25: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Mountain Time, CDA Main Office, 305 Interlocken Pkwy, Broomfield, CO 80021 or register for virtual meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sbF7malYQdqq90SOOX8QEw#/registration.

UPDATE 11/14/24: PACFA will continue to take stakeholder input. There will be another Advisory Committee meeting in January, and the formal proposal should be sometime next spring. A few reptile stakeholders spoke today: two via Zoom and four in person, including USARK. There is still a big push (not from PACFA) for some overreaching measures. These are not coming from PACFA but from other interests. PACFA has been very reasonable, but stakeholders need to engage.

UPDATE 11/7/24: PACFA Advisory Committee Meeting, Thursday, November 14th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Mountain Time
In Person: CDA Main Office, 305 Interlocken Pkwy, Broomfield, CO 80021
Virtual: Register to Attend Via Zoom
Zoom registration is required to attend virtually. You will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting once you register.

Read the agenda at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1duD0w2cumF90BAB8YEuKoEW5PWmstPh1/view.

You can submit comments via this form until November 13 (scroll down to “Stakeholder Engagement Comment Form”): https://ag.colorado.gov/animal-welfare/pet-animal-care-and-facilities-act

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UPDATE 10/15/24: The stakeholder webinar was today. All PACFA licensees should review the draft changes and submit comments. There may be updated text at the November Advisory Committee meeting.

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The Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) Program under the Colorado Department of Agriculture has drafted new regulations and amendments. Changes apply to herp, bird, fish, and mammal regulations. There is a link below with the changes marked in red and described in detail (last several pages). This is a first draft for review and PACFA is taking input from stakeholders. Please note that this initial draft does not have anything too troubling and we appreciate PACFA working with stakeholders.

Stakeholder meeting: Tuesday, October 15th, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Mountain Time. Registration required at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QCYprND3SJ6n0cWeJC6d3A#/registration.

Rule changes include:

Read the draft at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/25-CO-PACFA.pdf. Changes are marked in red with strikethrough for deletions and underline for new text. The last several pages discuss changes.

Rule changes include the below, but there are many more in the proposal. Below only covers some of the herp changes:

1. See section 12.11. Reptiles and Amphibians (Herptiles) for new space requirements for herp.
2. Snake enclosure sizes: not proposed but item for discussion.
3. Terrestrial lizard enclosures: floor area must be 1.5 length of lizard X length of lizard (head to tail tip). Example: A 24″ lizard must have 864 square inches of floor space (36 x 24 = 864). That means a 24″ lizard must be in a cage at least 36″ wide x 24″ deep. More room is required for enclosures with multiple lizards (see draft).

4. Thresholds for herps to be discussed (lower numbers): Currently, these minimums require PACFA licenses: If you produce, house, or transfer more than 400 snakes, 300 lizards, 200 turtles/tortoises, or 900 amphibians.

5. Proposed thresholds for herp rescues and shelters (must get a PACFA license if greater than these numbers). PACFA notes to discuss lowering the limits: The threshold for a shelter or rescue that transfers or houses more than 400 snakes, 300 lizards, 200 turtles/tortoises, or 900 amphibians.

6. Change for all licensees: A licensee shall promptly notify the Commissioner in writing of any change in the name, address, business hours, substantial control or ownership in the operation of the licensed business, or of additional sites, within fifteen (15) days of any such change. Notification must be made to the department in writing within 15 days if any principal, partner or anyone with substantial control over daily operations has been charged with any animal related crimes as defined in 35-80-112(b), C.R.S.