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:

Reptiles & Amphibians • Bearded Dragons • Ball Pythons • Leopard Geckos • Tropical frogs incl. Leopard Frogs • Tropical & subtropical lizards (native range requirements apply) Private ownership of venomous snakes as pets is completely prohibited. Birds • Parrots (incl. Macaws & Cockatoos) • Toucans • Aracaris • Emu • Ostrich Mammals & Marsupials • Sugar Gliders • African Pygmy Hedgehogs • Wallabies • Kangaroos • Chinchillas • Domesticated Mink • Camels • Zebras • Ferrets • Reindeer Hybrid Animals Domestic/wild hybrids are exempt from wildlife licensing requirements. • Wolf Dogs • Coydogs • Savannah Cats • Bengal Cats • Zebra Hybrids Aquatic Life Colorado is relatively relaxed about aquatic pets. • All tropical & subtropical fish • Goldfish & Koi (aquariums or ornamental ponds) • Marine vertebrates & invertebrates (excl. anadromous & catadromous species) Native Reptiles & Amphibians Up to 4 individuals from 16 native species — personal use only. Cannot be sold, traded, or released. • Common Snapping Turtle • Ornate Box Turtle • Bullsnake • Plains Hog-Nosed Snake • Painted Turtle • Plains Garter Snake Laws change — always verify with Colorado Parks & Wildlife before acquiring any exotic animal. County and municipal rules may impose additional restrictions.

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.

Prohibited Native Animals Colorado does not allow native wildlife to be kept as pets — even if legally owned in another state. • Raccoons • Skunks • Foxes • Opossums • Prairie Dogs • Bobcats & Lynx • Coyotes • Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goats Prohibited Exotic Animals Banned due to public safety, disease risk, and ecological concerns. • All primates (incl. Marmosets, Capuchins) • Bears • Non-hybrid cats (Servals, Asian Leopard Cats) • Alligators & Crocodiles • All venomous snakes • Gila Monsters • Capybara • Certain frog species • Exotic bovids (e.g. Wildebeest) • Ruminants (e.g. Oryx) • Bats • Patagonian Maras Out of State Ownership Provides No Exemption Bringing a previously legal exotic pet into Colorado does not grandfather your ownership rights. Prohibited animals must not be transported into the state regardless of prior legal status elsewhere. This list is not exhaustive. Always verify current regulations with Colorado Parks & Wildlife — violations can result in fines, confiscation, and criminal charges.

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

Commercial Wildlife Park License Required to possess regulated wildlife for exhibition, educational, or commercial purposes. Species such as venomous snakes, alligators, and other regulated animals fall under this category. Covers Venomous Snakes Alligators Regulated Wildlife Scientific Collection Permits Researchers and educators may obtain permits for approved activities under Chapter 13 regulations, allowing limited possession for scientific or educational use. Covers Scientific Research Educational Use Chapter 13 Activities Wildlife Rehabilitation Licenses Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are permitted to temporarily care for injured or orphaned wildlife with the goal of recovery and release back into the wild. Covers Injured Wildlife Orphaned Animals Temporary Care Only Permits are issued by Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Requirements, fees, and eligibility vary by license type. Contact CPW directly to apply or verify current conditions.

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

⚖️ Remember This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change at any time — always verify current regulations with local authorities.