CO: Colorado
Summary: HB24-1074 made killing or seriously hurting a law enforcement animal a Class 4 felony. EMS may stabilize dogs and cats but has no transport authority. No vest, retirement or retired care law found.
Body armor
None found.
Medical & insurance
C.R.S. § 12-315-105(4). EMS providers may give pre vet emergency care to dogs and cats. Care only, no transport. K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026).
Retirement & service limits
None found.
Post retirement care
None found.
Penalties for harming police animals
C.R.S. § 18-9-202. Cruelty to a law enforcement animal is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Aggravated cruelty, meaning knowingly or recklessly killing or seriously hurting one, is a Class 4 felony under HB24-1074, signed Apr 17, 2024. Restitution covers vet, replacement, training and certification. Justia; KRDO; HB24-1074 fiscal note.
Pending or failed bills
- HB24-1074: enacted.
- No 2025 or 2026 K9 protection bills found. HB25-1034 dealt with dangerous dogs, not police dogs.
Sources
- https://law.justia.com/codes/colorado/title-18/article-9/part-2/section-18-9-202/
- https://krdo.com/news/2024/04/17/bill-signed-into-law-will-help-protect-law-enforcement-animals/
- Cross state reference: K9 MEDIC state law map (verified Sep 18, 2026)
- Federal backdrop (not state law): 18 U.S.C. § 1368 makes it a crime to harm a federal police animal, up to 10 years if the animal is seriously hurt or killed (Animal Legal & Historical Center).