Colorado Bill Supports Human-Animal Bond as Social Determinant of Health

Detected March 13th, 2026

Summary

Colorado Bill HB26-1229 proposes to amend the definition of 'social determinants of health' to include the human-animal bond. This change would authorize the health disparities and community grant program to fund initiatives supporting this bond, impacting public health and human services.

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What changed

Colorado Bill HB26-1229, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, seeks to formally recognize the human-animal bond as a social determinant of health. The bill amends existing definitions to acknowledge this bond as a life-enhancing resource impacting human well-being. If passed, it would authorize, but not mandate, the state's health disparities and community grant program to allocate funds to programs that support the human-animal bond.

This legislation, currently under consideration, could lead to new funding opportunities for organizations that promote the human-animal bond as part of broader public health initiatives. Compliance officers should monitor the bill's progress through the legislative process, particularly its committee reviews and floor readings, to understand potential future funding allocations and program requirements related to public health and human services grants within Colorado.

What to do next

Monitor the progress of Colorado Bill HB26-1229 through the legislative process.
Review potential grant opportunities if the bill is enacted and funds are allocated to human-animal bond support programs.

Source document (simplified)

HB26-1229

Supporting the Human-Animal Bond

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Health Care & Health Insurance Human Services Public Health |
Concerning authorizing the health disparities and community grant program to consider the human-animal bond as a social determinant of health.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

The bill amends the definition of "social determinants of health" to acknowledge the human-animal bond as a life-enhancing resource that impacts the length and quality of human life. The change authorizes, but does not require, the health disparities and community grant program to direct funds to programs that support the human-animal bond.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Prime Sponsors

Representative

Rick Taggart
Representative

Lisa Feret
Senator

Judy Amabile
Senator

Janice Rich

Committees

House

Health & Human Services

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Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Upcoming Schedule

1 meeting

Fri

Mar 13

House Third Reading of Bills - Final Passage

9:00 AM House Chamber

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/12/2026 | Engrossed | PDF |
| 02/18/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/12/2026 | PA1 | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/05/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1229, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 9-2. | Vote summary |
Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 03/12/2026 | L.005 | Second Reading | Lost [] | PDF |
| 03/12/2026 | L.006 | Second Reading | Lost [] | PDF |
| 03/12/2026 | L.002 | Second Reading | Lost [*] | PDF |
| 03/10/2026 | L.001 | HOU Health & Human Services | Passed [] | PDF |
* Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.

** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.

| Date | Location | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/12/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 03/10/2026 | House | House Committee on Health & Human Services Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 02/18/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services |
Prime Sponsor

Rep. L. Feret | Rep. R. Taggart

Sen. J. Amabile | Sen. J. Rich

Sponsor

(None) Co-Sponsor

(None)