Effective Date: August 12th, 2026
Key points:
- Codifies Federal Guidance:
- Restores rescinded federal guidance on assistance animals into Colorado law to provide clarity and reduce litigation.
- New Definitions:
- Adds definitions for "assistance animal" (includes both service and emotional support animals), "emotional support animal," and "reasonable accommodation."
- Limits "Direct Threat" Claims:
- An assistance animal's mere presence does not constitute a direct threat or presumed property damage, though providers may consider documented, specific harmful conduct.
- Accommodation Presumptions:
- Permitting an assistance animal is presumed reasonable; a complete prohibition is presumed discriminatory. Providers may still request reasonable documentation and engage in a good-faith interactive process, unless the disability is obvious.
