Overview of the Bureau of Animal Protection
The Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) was first created in 1990 when the Colorado legislature reenacted the Animal Protection Act. The bureau’s mission is to conduct outreach and education, and administer and enforce the provisions of the Animal Protection Act to prevent the neglect, mistreatment, or abandonment of domestic and companion animals in Colorado.
The BAP oversees and trains approximately 100 commissioned volunteer animal protection agents, administers a stakeholder task force to obtain feedback from diverse perspectives on animal protection issues, conducts outreach and education, and works with local animal protection and law enforcement officials to advance cooperation in the investigation of potential animal mistreatment, neglect or abandonment.
The BAP has both civil remedies and limited criminal authority to enforce Colorado’s cruelty to animals statues. The BAP program operates on a complaint-basis: staff and agents respond when called upon, whether by a local sheriff’s department, veterinarian, or concerned neighbor, in order to enforce the law.
In spring 2022, Colorado Department of Agriculture BAP program staff developed a three-year strategic plan for the BAP. The development of the plan was a collaborative process that involved getting feedback from law enforcement, veterinarians, BAP agents, and diverse stakeholders.
You can read the BAP Strategic Plan below, which includes objectives, action items, and guiding principles for the program.
The Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) program has four full time staff, who are employed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA). The BAP is also assisted by CDA staff in the Animal Health Division and the Commissioner’s Office. Please see below for the bios of the BAP’s staff members.
Dr. Courtney Diehl, Bureau of Animal Protection Program Manager
Dr. Diehl joined the BAP team in 2023. She has 24 years of experience as a mixed animal field services veterinarian. She has worked extensively with members of law enforcement across the state on animal cruelty investigations and has provided expert witness testimony on multiple animal cruelty cases.
Dr. Diehl completed an internship in equine surgery in Saratoga Springs, NY and a fellowship in internal medicine and critical care at Hagyard, Davidson & Mcgee Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. During her 21 years in private veterinary practice, Dr. Diehl provided mobile large and small animal veterinary services to ranchers, outfitters, private owners, guest ranches, Western and English boarding and training facilities, and breeding operations. Prior to joining the BAP, Dr. Diehl was the veterinarian for the Harmony Equine Center where she also worked as the investigations veterinarian.
Dr. Diehl served on the Colorado State Veterinary Board from 2018-2024, and was the board president from 2021-2023. She also serves on the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance Board and on the Education Committee for the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association.
Taylor Peterson, Bureau of Animal Protection Lead Investigator/Complaint Coordinator
Taylor started this role in April 2022. Before coming to the BAP, she was an Animal Control Supervisor with the Park County Sheriff's Office. She has a background in raising livestock and has been serving as a commissioned BAP agent since 2019. She has completed more than 450 hours of animal welfare and animal cruelty/neglect investigations on livestock as well as companion animal cases.
Taylor has received her state certification for Animal Control Officers, state certification as an Equine Cruelty Investigator, and is a Nationally Certified Investigator. Taylor also serves on the Education Committee and the Animal Control Officers of Colorado Committee within the Animal Welfare Associate of Colorado. She is excited to provide support and education on accepted animal husbandry to the entire State of Colorado.
Kailie Barker, Western Slope Investigator
Kailie joined the BAP in 2024 with more than 4 years as a commissioned BAP agent in animal law enforcement and animal cruelty investigations.
She has 250 hours and counting of classroom animal welfare related training, along with additional on-the-job training hours relating to evidence collection, crime scene documentation, forensic examination, and emergency preparedness. These skills have been put to use on hundreds of cases during her time at The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and Colorado Humane Society, while serving the animals and people throughout the state of Colorado.
Kailie has received her state certification for Animal Control Officers, state certification as an Equine Cruelty Investigator, and is dedicated to furthering animal welfare standards in Colorado. She is passionate about the preservation of the human-animal bond through education and outreach.
Melissa Gonzales, BAP Administrative Assistant
Melissa joined the BAP in 2024, assisting with many administrative tasks for the division. This includes assisting BAP Agents, aiding in incident reporting, and processing dangerous dogs registrations.
Melissa is here to keep the administrative wheels turning, so the BAP team can focus on innovation and growth to further the agency’s mission and advance animal welfare in Colorado.