Committee advances bill to speed reporting of missing livestock after producers’ testimony

Sponsors told the committee Senate Bill 136 would narrow the time window for reporting missing or stolen livestock and improve coordination between brand inspectors and law enforcement.

Representative English, the sponsor, said the amended bill directs the Division of Brand Inspection to establish clear procedures by Dec. 31, 2026, and to provide suspected‑theft reports to the appropriate law‑enforcement agency within 24 hours once theft is suspected. ‘‘When livestock is stolen, delayed action often means permanent loss,’’ she said.

Producer witnesses and stakeholders described how quick notification helps recovery. Kellen Lanier of the Colorado Farmers and Ranchers Association said the bill shortens a critical window and asked members to support it. Nicole Mallory of Freedommakers Ranch recounted walking out to find her cattle gone and said, "Last year alone, we lost about $30,000." Madian Shoffner urged that the state not force producers to prove their own harm and stressed equity in response times.

Todd Inglie, the brand commissioner for the State Board of Stock Inspection, described current procedures and recent data: the division has 57 inspectors across 10 districts, reported inspecting more than 4,000,000 head in the recent year (about 99% cattle), and recorded 85 missing‑livestock reports last year representing roughly 469 cattle and nine horses. Inglie said most missing reports are strays but that the division has revised standard operating procedures to improve evidence gathering and law‑enforcement coordination.

On a motion to recommend the bill favorably to the Committee of the Whole, the committee recorded a 13‑0 vote. Members said the bill codifies procedures the division is already implementing and will improve recovery chances for stolen animals.

The committee did not change the bill’s core deadlines or the 24‑hour notification requirement; the sponsors and agency said they will continue to coordinate on implementation details.