Colorado Revised Statutes Title 35. Agriculture § 35-42-103. Definitions

(1) “Abandon” means the leaving of an animal without adequate provisions for the animal's proper care by its owner, the person responsible for the animal's care or custody, or any other person having possession of such animal.

(2) “Accepted animal husbandry” means practices generally recognized as appropriate in the care of animals consistent with the species, breed, and type of animal.

(3) “Animal” means any living dumb creature.

(4) “Commissioner” means the Colorado commissioner of agriculture or his designee.

(5) “Companion animal” means domestic dogs, domestic cats, small pet birds, and other nonlivestock species.

(6) “Department” means the Colorado department of agriculture.

(7) “Division” means the division of animal welfare of the department.

(8) “Livestock” means cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and such horses, mules, asses, and other animals used in the farm or ranch production of food, fiber, or other products defined by the commissioner as agricultural products.

(9) “Mistreat” means every act or omission which causes or unreasonably permits the continuation of unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering.

(10) “Neglect” means failure to provide food, water, protection from the elements, or other care generally considered to be normal, usual, and accepted for an animal's health and well-being consistent with the species, breed, and type of animal.