Colorado (CO): police and working animal protection laws
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 (including EMS treatment of injured K9s)
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 18 Sep 2026.
Retirement & service limits (age or service limits, handler adoption rights)
none found.
Post retirement care (retired K9 care funds)
none found.
Penalties for harming police animals (context)
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 18 Sep 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).