Pet care | Colorado | Licensing updates
Colorado PACFA Penalties Increase—but the $1,500 Fee Is Only a Ceiling
Colorado HB26-1183 took effect August 12, increasing PACFA enforcement authority while leaving the currently published grooming, boarding, training, and…
- Budget from the current published category fee, not the $1,500 statutory ceiling.
- Do not begin PACFA-regulated operations before the license is issued; plan for the initial inspection process.
- Review records, care standards, facility practices, and corrective actions in light of the new $2,500-per-violation ceiling.
- Training businesses should confirm whether their model requires a boarding/training facility or pet-handler license.
Published: 2026-09-01 · Reviewed: 2026-09-01
Official context
Colorado HB26-1183 became law and took effect August 12, 2026. It continues the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act through 2034, raises the statutory maximum license-application fee from $700 to $1,500, raises the maximum civil penalty from $1,000 to $2,500 per violation, provides 30 days to request a hearing after a cease-and-desist order, revises the rule-petition process, and adds a certificate-of-veterinary-inspection requirement for specified animal imports.
What this means
The $1,500 figure is authority for a possible fee, not the current fee for every PACFA business. The currently published PACFA schedule remains $500 for a pet boarding/training facility, $400 for a primary, secondary, mobile, or self-wash grooming facility, $350 for an independent-contractor groomer, and $225 for a pet handler. PACFA rules also prohibit an initial applicant from conducting licensed activity until the license is issued and allow inspections during initial licensing. Businesses should verify the category that matches their custody and training model instead of treating every trainer or groomer alike.
Official sources
- https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb26-1183
- https://ag.colorado.gov/sites/ag/files/documents/8%20CCR%201202-15%20Website_0.pdf
- https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/112785/download
Licensing & Industry Updates is an educational summary of official public communications. It is not legal advice, and filing decisions should be checked against the current board page or rule text.