Attorney General Phil Weiser, PetSmart reach settlement after investigation into dog groomer training programs

Nov. 13, 2025 (DENVER) — Attorney General Phil Weiser today announced a proposed settlement with pet care retailer PetSmart resolving allegations of deceptive training programs that prevented employees from leaving the company for years, or risk paying thousands of dollars.

PetSmart, which operates 35 stores in Colorado, promoted the entry level Grooming Academy program as “free” and “paid” training to their employees via ads and internal promotional materials. After the employees enrolled in the program, PetSmart used training repayment agreement provision contracts, or TRAPs, that locked these groomers in their jobs for at least two years or repay $5,500 in training costs that they were initially told was free.

These practices violated the Colorado Consumer Protection Act and the Colorado Restrictive Employment Agreement Act, according to a lawsuit the attorney general filed in Denver District Court in July this year.

“As Colorado’s Attorney General, I have made protecting workers a priority, which is why I pushed for a law that bans deceptive and unfair training repayment schemes,” said Attorney General Weiser. “I appreciate that PetSmart has taken responsibility for misleading its employees, collaborated with our department on a fair settlement, and is committed to ensuring that no future employees are deceived about training opportunities. For all employers, this action is a clear reminder that they must not use deceptive and unfair training agreements—and that our department is committed to taking action to address any such conduct.”

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, if accepted by the court, PetSmart will cease all deceptive advertising and offering TRAPs that violate Colorado law. The company will also halt all attempts to collect from employees, and will notify those who completed the dog Grooming Academy program that they are free from obligations of the TRAP. PetSmart will pay $225,000 to the attorney general’s office, which may be used for consumer education or consumer protection enforcement, or efforts to advance the public welfare.

Read the full settlement (PDF).

###

Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov