An Act
1995
CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH ASSISTANCE DOGS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
        24-34-802.  Violation - penalty. Any person, firm, or corporation or the agent of any person, firm, or corporation which THAT denies or interferes with the rights and the admittance to or enjoyment of the public facilities enumerated in section 24-34-801 (1) (b) to (1) (e) (1) (d) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than sixty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
         (2)  A TRAINER OF AN ASSISTANCE DOG HAS THE RIGHT TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ASSISTANCE DOG THAT THE TRAINER IS IN THE PROCESS OF TRAINING WITHOUT BEING REQUIRED TO PAY AN EXTRA CHARGE FOR THE ASSISTANCE DOG IN OR ON THE FOLLOWING PLACES:

         (a)  PUBLIC STREETS, HIGHWAYS, WALKWAYS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES, AND OTHER PUBLIC                        PLACES; AND

        (b)  ANY PLACE OF PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION OR ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

        (4)  THE OWNER OR THE PERSON HAVING CONTROL OR CUSTODY OF AN ASSISTANCE DOG OR AN ASSISTANCE DOG IN TRAINING IS LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO PERSONS, PREMISES, OR FACILITIES, INCLUDING PLACES OF HOUSING ACCOMMODATION AND PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT, CAUSED BY THAT PERSON'S ASSISTANCE DOG OR ASSISTANCE DOG IN TRAINING. THE PERSON HAVING CONTROL OR CUSTODY OF AN ASSISTANCE DOG OR AN ASSISTANCE DOG IN TRAINING SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 18-9-204.5, C.R.S.

       (a)  "ASSISTANCE DOG" MEANS A DOG THAT HAS BEEN OR IS BEING TRAINED AS A GUIDE DOG, HEARING DOG, OR SERVICE DOG. SUCH TERMS ARE FURTHER DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

        (I)  "GUIDE DOG" MEANS A DOG THAT HAS BEEN OR IS BEING SPECIALLY TRAINED TO AID A PARTICULAR BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON.

        (II)  "HEARING DOG" MEANS A DOG THAT HAS BEEN OR IS BEING SPECIALLY TRAINED TO AID A PARTICULAR DEAF OR HEARING IMPAIRED PERSON.

        (III)  "SERVICE DOG" MEANS A DOG THAT HAS BEEN OR IS BEING SPECIALLY TRAINED TO AID A PARTICULAR PHYSICALLY DISABLED PERSON WITH A PHYSICAL DISABILITY OTHER THAN SIGHT OR HEARING IMPAIRMENT.

      (g)  "TRAINER OF AN ASSISTANCE DOG" MEANS A PERSON WHO IS QUALIFIED TO TRAIN DOGS TO SERVE AS ASSISTANCE DOGS.
         24-34-804.  Violations - penalties. (1)  IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON, FIRM, CORPORATION, OR AGENT OF ANY PERSON, FIRM, OR CORPORATION TO:

        (a)  WITHHOLD, DENY, DEPRIVE, OR ATTEMPT TO WITHHOLD, DENY, OR DEPRIVE ANY PERSON WITH A DISABILITY OR TRAINER OF ANY OF THE RIGHTS OR PRIVILEGES SECURED IN SECTION 24-34-803;
       
        (b)  THREATEN TO INTERFERE WITH ANY OF THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES OR TRAINERS SECURED IN SECTION 24-34-803;

        (c)  PUNISH OR ATTEMPT TO PUNISH ANY PERSON WITH A DISABILITY OR TRAINER FOR EXERCISING OR ATTEMPTING TO EXERCISE ANY RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE SECURED BY SECTION 24-34-803;
Note to Puppy Raisers
When your puppy is approved by your leader and ready in all ways to wear his jacket into stores, schools, and businesses for serious training, be prepared to discuss the project with the people you meet. Have a copy of this bill and a brochure on Guide Dogs or a business card with HPWT's web address. If someone does not want to allow you access, thank them for their time, leave the information for them, and go someplace else. Patronize those business that support you; remember to thank them publicly when you can. Please remember to phone the manager of restaurants or other large businesses to get approval before you arrive. Educate people about all aspects of the project, and you are much more likely to gain admittance. Access to any one place is not so important that it will mean the success or failure of your dog! Please do not force the issue.