*** MARCH UPDATE: SUPPORT THE BILL TODAY! ***
Our Senate Agriculture Committee hearing has been confirmed for March 20th, at 1:30 p.m. This is great news!
Please reach out directly to all senators on the agriculture committee, as well as YOUR designated senator (based on zip code), to voice that you want them to vote YES on CPOF (HB-1137).
recent amendments have been made to help this bill make the biggest impact on Colorado CPOF procedures. Scroll to read about these changes.
SEE BELOW FOR HOW TO HELP GET IT PASSED:
HOW TO HELP:
Our bill, CPOF (HB-1137), is being voted on in the Senate RIGHT NOW, and we need you!
Here’s what to do:
- Contact your designated senator (by location) and urge them to vote YES on HB-1137. (CPOF)
- Share this message! Every call and email counts!
Find your senator and their contact information by clicking here or searching below.
We Need YOUR VOICE!
We are looking for folks to testify who are equally shocked to learn that No Kill shelters have been actively blocked from receiving these funds.
We are also seeking anyone to testify during the hearing who have paid into the License Plate fund thinking their donation to the fund supported No Kill shelters.
Please email advocacy@maxfund.org as soon as possible, and thank you so much for your support.
WHAT WAS ADJUSTED?
Direct from CPOF stakeholders, the following items have been amended before presenting HB25-1137 to the senate:
"This amendment changed the make-up of the Board by replacing the CFAWA seat with ANY PACFA LICENSED SHELTER, replace the association of animal control officers to just an animal control officer, replace the association of pet animal rescue to a representative of a rescue, adding a representative of Eastern CO AND Southern CO since we have one from Western CO, adding a representative from a small, rural county with under 50,000 in population, and removes the NKC board seat. The amendment also allows CPOF to be used for TNR without a set percentage and removes the allowance for funds to be used for TNR education. Lastly, the amendment specifies that any CPOF board member must recuse themselves from any vote that could create a conflict of interest. Everything else remains the same."
MaxFund's commitment to ANIMAL WELFARE
MaxFund maintains a fervent commitment to supporting the needs of animal welfare organizations throughout Colorado, particularly nonprofit, No Kill organizations that dedicate their efforts and funding to ensure long-standing impacts in defense of homeless pets. With each legislative session, MaxFund prioritizes the public support of legislation that will further meaningful and comprehensive initiatives to save lives.
2025: THE COLORADO PET OVERPOPULATION FUND (cpof) AND COMMUNITY CATS ACT
Sponsors: Representative Lindsay, Representative Velasco
The Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund (CPOF) has been a powerful resource for rescues and shelters in our state, raising nearly $1 million dollars annually. Despite this progress, Colorado still faces challenges with pet overpopulation, particularly with community cat colony populations still on the rise due to lack of resources during the pandemic.
This presents many concerns including strain on local Trap-neuter-return (TNR) organizations, rescue, and shelter resources. TNR programs remain the most effective tool to lower community cat populations, but are currently not eligible to receive grant funding from the CPOF despite the clear nexus.
Further, CPOF’s transparency and accountability has seemingly dwindled, currently representing the large shelter and animal welfare organizations that dominate its use.
There is an opportunity to help hundreds of smaller organizations doing good local work in Colorado’s underserved areas with a few updates that increase transparency and equity. These updates ensure the CPOF accurately reflects the compassionate community that makes Colorado a safe state for homeless pets and benefits communities most in need.
FACTS AND OVERVIEW:
This bill will allow the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund to award grants to spay/neuter organizations as well as shelters/rescues operating TNR programming and requires that 20% of funds awarded annually are used for that purpose.
This bill will also enshrine the fund’s current practice of awarding 70% of grants annually to organizations in rural areas. Transparency is vital to maintaining the trust of the public.
This bill will require CPOF to publish the fund grantees, their grant amount, and the fund board members annually.
CPOF CAN DO BETTER: HERE'S HOW
- Open the doors wider: Requiring a single business model prevents organizations from accessing the fund excludes many worthy groups.
- Board diversity: Currently, six of the eight CPOF board members also sit on one of two other Socially Conscious animal welfare organizations. Individuals on the CPOF board should not include more than one individual from any given industry group.
- Spread the love: There are over 300+ rescues/shelters in our state and only 54 have received a grant in the last four years. Introducing a biannual grant structure will ensure equitable distribution.
Here are other helpful tips to inform your support of CPOF (HB25-1137):
Our bill will ensure that at least 20% of funds go to spay/neuter and TNR programs, with 70% going to rural areas. It will also increase transparency by requiring annual publication of grant recipients and board members. This bill will create a more equitable and effective fund, benefiting countless animals across Colorado.
Other Facts
The Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund raises nearly $1 million annually.
Only 54 of the 300+ rescues/shelters in Colorado have received a grant from the Colorado Pet Overpopulation Fund in the last four years.
CPOF board has a limited scope of diversity and can be dominated by members of the same organizations - we want to diversify the board for better representation of marginalized organizations
We want to ensure S/N and TNR organizations can apply for funds
A biannual grant structure would help ensure more equitable distribution - Some organizations get funds multiple years in a row, and the funds should support ALL Colorado organizations saving lives!
MORE Contact FOR THE BILL
Lobbyists:
Bailey Kramer or Lacey Hays bailey@legacyconsultingcolorado.com | (720) 272-2457 lacey@legacyconsultingcolorado.com | (303) 775-7069
For more information and ways to get involved, email advocacy@maxfund.org