The Colorado Horse Council, Inc. is a grass-roots, all-breed, non-discipline specific organization dedicated to linking the horse owners and the horse industry of the State of Colorado into a powerful, common voice in order to protect their common equine interests through legislation and education. It also employs a full-time contract lobbyist, who works with the State Legislature on horse and agriculture-related issues.

Colorado Horse Council's work today to keep horses a healthy part of Colorado's Lifestyle, will yield great returns for tomorrow.

Mike Cervi, his son Binion and Cindy Schonholtz. Photo by Roni Bell

We are farmers and ranchers, breeders, trainers, showmen and women, retailers, veterinary care providers, service providers, feed producers, and individuals who seek to maintain our rights to own, maintain, and use horses in our state.

The Colorado Horse Council, Inc. has formed a special networking section for Boarding Stable Managers. For more information, please call 303-292-4981

Our Accomplishments:

• developed the Rocky Mountain Horse EXPO into the largest event of its kind west of Ohio;
• assisted lawmakers with the removal of the state sales tax on geldings;
• drafted the Equine Civil Liability Act (CRS 120.4-119), which was passed by the Colorado Legislature in 1990;
• helped change Worker's Compensation Insurance rates from $51.87/$100.00 paid in wages to $9.36/$100.00 paid in wages;
• produced and sold nationally the video, Courtesy on Multi-Purpose Trails;
• lobbied for and won the removal of sales tax on vet supplies and agricultural equipment;
• prevented boarding stables from being reclassified from ag to commercial for property tax purposes;
• developed a lobbying protocol to help local horse owners with land use and other issues;
• helped to keep public trails open to horses;
• developed education materials on Small Acreage Stallion Management Considerations, Ballot Initiatives and the Colorado Horse Industry, and others;
• informed horse owners on important ballot issues;
• kept horses classified as livestock instead of pets;
• continue to work on changing the initiative process through the State Legislature; and
• employ a full-time contract lobbyist to represent the horse industry in Colorado.

Click here to read about how the horse council system works .