Hey fellow animal lovers! If you’ve ever thought about bringing a bearded dragon, hedgehog, or even something as unexpected as a kangaroo into your Colorado home, you’re not alone.

Colorado’s exotic pet laws can feel confusing at first, but don’t worry, we’re breaking it all down in a way that actually makes sense.

Colorado takes wildlife protection very seriously, and as a result its exotic pet regulations are stricter than those in many other states.

These rules are enforced by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), which oversees what animals can
(and cannot) be privately owned.

CPW uses a clear classification system, and once you learn the basics, it becomes much easier to determine whether a particular species is legal to keep in the Centennial State.

1. Domestic Animals – These are your traditional pets like dogs, cats, hamsters, and guinea pigs. No special permits are needed from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, but you’ll still need to follow local city regulations and health department rules.

2. Unregulated Wildlife – This category includes certain exotic animals that can be owned without a wildlife permit.

3. Regulated Wildlife – All remaining species fall into this category. Regulated wildlife typically requires special authorization, such as a Commercial Wildlife Park License, and most of these animals cannot be kept as personal pets under Colorado law.

Here’s the key to understanding Colorado’s exotic pet laws: to be unregulated, a species must be native exclusively to tropical or subtropical regions. This geographic requirement drives nearly all ownership decisions.

That’s why a sugar glider from Australia is legal to own, while a raccoon that’s native to Colorado and much of North America is not.

Ready for the fun part? Colorado allows a variety of exotic pets without requiring a permit. Here are some popular options:

Now for the reality check. Colorado has pretty strict prohibitions on many animals (even some that are legal in neighboring states). If an animal species isn’t specifically listed as allowed, then private ownership is prohibited.

While this guide focuses on exotic pets that don’t require a wildlife permit, there are important exceptions to be aware of:

Here’s a critical detail many people overlook: state approval does not guarantee local approval. Cities and counties across Colorado often have their own regulations that are more restrictive than state law.

What to Check With Your City

• Whether exotic animals require local permits
• Maximum number of pets allowed per household
• Zoning restrictions for animal enclosures
• Specific prohibited species lists
• Registration and microchipping requirements

Always contact your city or county planning department before bringing home an exotic pet. What’s legal at the state level might not fly in your neighborhood!

— Never Release Your Exotic Pet – Live animals may never be released into the wild, with very limited exceptions for certain native reptiles and amphibians under strict conditions. Releasing exotic pets can cause serious ecological harm, including habitat disruption, competition with native species, and the spread of disease.

— Import Requirements – When bringing an exotic pet into Colorado, you must comply with:

• Federal importation laws
• Disease control requirements set by the Colorado Department of Agriculture
• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (when required)
• Any applicable quarantine protocols
• Local city and county regulations

— Health and Safety Standards – Even if a wildlife permit isn’t required, exotic pets must still meet state agriculture and public health standards. These rules are in place to protect both animals and people and apply to all exotic species kept in Colorado.

• CHAPTER W-11 – Wildlife Parks And Unregulated Wildlife