Section 2 of the bill prohibits insurers from denying a
homeowner's insurance policy based on the breed or mixture of breeds of dog that resides at the insured dwelling, while allowing denial if a specific individual dog is a dangerous dog. Insurers are also prohibited from asking or otherwise inquiring about the specific breed or mixture of breeds of dog kept at a dwelling except to ask if the dog is known to be or has been declared a dangerous dog. Section 3 requires that an officer executing a writ of restitution
inspect the premises for pet animals and give any pet animal found to the tenant of the premises if the tenant is present at the time the writ is executed. If a tenant is not present, the landlord must contact a local animal shelter or pet animal rescue to take custody of any pet animal and leave contact information for the tenant as to where the pet animal has been taken. An officer or any other person in connection with execution of the writ is prohibited from removing and leaving any pet animal unattended on public or private property. Section 4 prohibits a landlord from demanding or receiving a
security deposit or rent in exchange for allowing a pet animal to reside on the residential premises with a tenant. Section 5 creates the pet friendly landlord damage mitigation
program to be administered by the department of local affairs, subject to availability of funding. Under the program, a landlord may receive reimbursement for actual damage caused to a rental premises by a pet animal allowed to reside with the tenant up to $1,000. Reimbursements are granted on a first come, first served basis, and a landlord must provide documentation in support of the damages for which the landlord makes the claim of reimbursement. The department has authority to promulgate rules to implement the program. A landlord who receives reimbursement under the program is prohibited from taking legal action against the tenant for the damages or from pursing collection against the tenant for the damages. Section 6 excludes pet animals from the categories of a tenant's
personal property that a person who rents furnished or unfurnished rooms or apartments may place a lien on for unpaid board, lodging, or rent. Section 7 of the bill prohibits the existing Colorado affordable
housing tax credit from being allocated unless tenants are allowed to keep pet animals at a qualified development where the tenant resides. The required allowance of pet animals is subject to state and local laws governing public health, animal control, and animal anti-cruelty, and is subject to reasonable conditions that may be imposed on the allowance of pet animals. Reasonable conditions do not include prohibitions on pet animal breeds or weight restrictions of a pet animal.
