A Colorado Business Owner's Guide to Service Animals
Your front-line staff make the call in seconds. This guide covers what Colorado and federal law let them ask, when a dog may be asked to leave, and how emotional support animals and "fake" service dogs fit in.
Two Questions, and Nothing More
When it is not obvious what a dog does, ADA rules let staff ask two things and nothing more. Colorado follows the same approach.
If the dog is clearly guiding a person who is blind, for example, skip the questions entirely.
Things Staff Should Never Require
These are common mistakes that can lead to a discrimination complaint.
Certificates or ID
No paperwork is required.
A vest
Gear is optional.
Fees
No pet fee or deposit.
A demonstration
Don't ask for a task.
Medical details
The disability is private.
What Counts as a Service Animal in Public Places
Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Businesses may also need to consider miniature horses case by case. The disability can be physical, sensory, psychiatric or intellectual.
Handling a Dog That Is Causing Problems
Removal is allowed in narrow cases. Follow this order and stay polite.
Spot the behavior
Repeated barking, lunging, wandering or an accident indoors.
Ask the handler
Give the handler a fair chance to bring the dog under control.
Decide
Out of control with no effective correction, or not housebroken? Removal can be requested.
Keep serving
Offer the customer your goods or services without the dog present.
Restaurants, Food Areas and Health Rules
Under C.R.S. 24-34-803, a service animal's presence alone is not a sanitary violation. The general rule: the dog may go wherever customers may go.
Service Dogs, Emotional Support Animals and Pets
Colorado's 2026 emotional support animal changes are about housing. In a store or restaurant, the old line between service dogs and other animals still holds.
| Animal | Must you admit it? | Fees allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Trained service dog | Yes, unless out of control or not housebroken | No |
| Service dog in training with a trainer | Colorado law gives trainers access rights | No |
| Emotional support animal | No; your pet policy applies | Per your pet policy |
| Pet | No; your choice | Per your pet policy |
Trainers and Dogs in Training
Colorado goes further than the ADA here. C.R.S. 24-34-803 extends public accommodation access to a trainer working with a service animal in training, and to handlers training their own dog, with the same bar on extra charges. The handler or trainer is responsible for any damage the animal causes.
Colorado's Fake Service Dog Law
C.R.S. 18-13-107.7 makes it a petty offense to knowingly pass off an animal as a service animal in a place of public accommodation. A prior warning is required before a first offense applies.
Staff should not accuse customers. Focus on the dog's behavior; the removal rules above handle problem dogs whether they are real service animals or not.
Quick Staff Quiz
Four real-world moments. Tap an answer to check it, then share the page with your team.
A host asks a guest to show a service dog ID card before seating them. Is that allowed?
A dog barks repeatedly in a quiet store and the handler doesn't correct it. Can you ask for the dog to leave?
A hotel adds its standard $75 pet cleaning fee for a guest's service dog. Is that allowed?
A café with a no-pets rule declines a customer's emotional support cat. Is that allowed?
If a Customer Files a Complaint
Colorado Civil Rights Division
Public accommodation complaints must be filed within 60 days of the incident.
U.S. Department of Justice
Customers can also report ADA Title III concerns to the DOJ.
Who is covered
C.R.S. 24-34-601 defines public accommodation widely, from stores and restaurants to hotels, gyms and businesses that serve the public.
For Your Customers and Employees
People with a disability-related need for an emotional support animal at home can start with our Free Screening. Current plans are listed here.
Colorado Business Owners Ask
What can my staff ask a customer with a service dog in Colorado?
When it is not obvious what the dog does, staff may ask only two questions: is the dog required because of a disability, and what work or task has it been trained to perform. They should not ask about the disability or request documentation.
Do I have to allow emotional support animals in my store or restaurant?
No. Emotional support animals are not service animals under the ADA, so public places may apply their normal pet policy. Colorado's 2026 emotional support animal changes apply to housing, not to shops or restaurants.
Can I charge a pet fee or deposit for a service dog?
No. Colorado law and the ADA do not allow extra charges for a service animal. The handler can still be responsible for any damage the dog actually causes, just as another customer would be.
When can I ask a service dog to leave my business?
You may ask that the dog be removed if it is out of control and the handler does not take effective action, or if it is not housebroken. Offer to continue serving the customer without the dog.
Are service dogs allowed in Colorado restaurant kitchens and dining rooms?
Service dogs may go where customers are normally allowed, including dining areas. Colorado law says a service animal's presence alone is not a sanitary violation. Areas closed to the public, such as kitchens, can stay closed.
What can I do about a customer passing off a pet as a service dog?
Colorado makes it a petty offense to knowingly misrepresent a pet as a service animal in a place of public accommodation, with fines starting at $25 after a prior warning. Enforcement belongs to law enforcement, so staff should focus on the dog's behavior rather than accusations.
More Reading for Colorado Managers
General information for Colorado businesses, current as of September 2026. It is not legal advice; for a specific situation, speak with a Colorado attorney. National Service Pets is not affiliated with the Colorado Civil Rights Division or the U.S. Department of Justice.
Welcoming Customers Starts at the Door
Share this guide with your team. If you or someone you know needs ESA documentation for housing, start here.
