Exotic Pets That Are Legal in Colorado (And the Ones That Are Not)

Colorado has some of the most nuanced exotic pet laws in the country — and the gap between what people assume is legal and what actually is can be surprisingly wide. A pet kangaroo made headlines in Durango in 2025 when it escaped and hopped through city streets, and a Lakewood man died after being bitten by a Gila monster he believed he could legally keep. Both stories point to the same truth: knowing Colorado’s rules before you bring an exotic animal home is not optional.

This guide walks you through exactly how Colorado classifies exotic animals, which species you can own without any permit, which require a license, and which are banned entirely — plus the local rules that can override everything the state allows.

Important Note: This article is for informational purposes only. Exotic pet regulations change, and local ordinances vary significantly. Always verify current rules directly with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and your local city or county before acquiring any exotic animal.

How Colorado Regulates Exotic Pet Ownership

Colorado prohibits the possession of certain wildlife and requires licenses or permits for the possession of others. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is the agency responsible for overseeing the regulations related to wildlife. Understanding how CPW thinks about animals is the first step to understanding what you can and cannot own.

While the public may think of “pets” and “exotic pets,” the state’s classifications are “domestic animals” and “unregulated wildlife.” CPW has created two categories of species called Unregulated Wildlife and Domestic Animals. Species on these lists are legal to own, import, or sell. Everything else falls into regulated or prohibited territory.

The tropical/subtropical rule is the most important concept to grasp. For a species to be Unregulated, it must be native to the tropics/subtropics only. If its native range is outside or extends outside of the tropics/subtropics, it’s Regulated. This is why a ball python — native to sub-Saharan Africa’s tropics — is legal without a permit, while a Gila monster — native to the arid American Southwest — is not.

Colorado wildlife law generally prohibits the importation, live possession, sale, barter, trade, or purchase of any species of wildlife native to Colorado. Non-commercial (pet) possession of regulated mammals has been prohibited by these regulations since 1983. That longstanding prohibition means Colorado has one of the stricter frameworks for exotic mammal ownership in the western United States.

The state makes exceptions for accredited zoos, sanctuaries, and research institutions, which can possess exotic animals for exhibition, scientific, or educational purposes. Individuals who wish to own exotic animals may need to obtain a permit and must comply with state regulations, which can include caging requirements and welfare standards.

Key Insight: One rule applies to every exotic animal in Colorado regardless of its legal status — live animals may never be released into the wild. Introducing live animals into the Colorado ecosystem can have devastating consequences.

You should also know that owning an illegal exotic animal carries real consequences. The unlawful possession of a prohibited species is a misdemeanor offense. If a person is found to be in illegal possession of a regulated animal, authorities have the right to seize and confiscate the animal. This process is often stressful for the animal and can result in its placement in a sanctuary or, in some cases, euthanasia. Beyond the loss of the animal, a conviction carries a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $1,000 and results in a permanent criminal record.

For a broader look at how Colorado’s approach compares to other states, see this overview of United States laws on exotic pets.

Exotic Pets You Can Own Without a Permit in Colorado

Many animals commonly considered “exotic” do not require a special state wildlife license for ownership in Colorado. This category, termed “unregulated wildlife” by CPW, includes species unlikely to establish wild populations in Colorado’s climate. The list is longer than most people expect.

Small Mammals

Examples include African pygmy hedgehogs, sugar gliders, ferrets, and chinchillas. These animals are popular exotic pets that fall squarely within the unregulated category because their native ranges are strictly tropical or subtropical. Rabbits and domestically bred mice also fall under the domestic animal list, making them fully legal without any wildlife permit. If you’re considering mice as pets, this care guide for mice as pets is a helpful starting point.

Marsupials and Larger Exotics

Other animals like red kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, emus, alpacas, and camels are also permitted without a state license. Thanks to Durango’s escape artist red kangaroo, we’ve recently been reminded that the cute little marsupials are allowed. Technically, they fall into the category of “unregulated wildlife,” legal to own provided all importation and disease requirements are met.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Most non-venomous, non-native reptiles and amphibians, such as many types of geckos, bearded dragons, and ball pythons, also fall into this group. Bearded dragons in particular have become one of the most popular reptile pets in the state. Macaws, cockatoos, and other tropical parrots are also included in the unregulated wildlife list.

Chapter 10 of CPW regulations provides that any person can possess up to four total from a list of sixteen common native herptile species for personal use. These animals may not be sold, traded, or bartered and there are restrictions on release back into the wild.

Pro Tip: Even if an animal is on the unregulated wildlife list, you must comply with all other federal, state, and local laws dealing with importation, disease, and other issues. Always obtain a health certificate and entry permit number before bringing any exotic animal into Colorado from another state.

A Note on “Unregulated” vs. Truly Unrestricted

If an animal is not listed on either the unregulated wildlife or the domestic animal list, it cannot be lawfully sold to an unlicensed person unless specifically authorized by Commission regulation. This matters because the unregulated list is finite. If you cannot find your desired species on CPW’s official list, assume it requires a permit or is prohibited — and contact CPW directly to confirm.

Axolotls are one example of a species that generates frequent questions. Axolotls are legal to own in Colorado under state law, with no special permits required for typical pet ownership. If you live in Colorado and want to keep an axolotl as a pet, you can legally purchase one from a licensed breeder or pet store. You must ensure it is kept in a secure aquarium and never released into local waterways.

If you’re curious how Colorado’s permit-free list compares to neighboring states, see what exotic pets are legal in Nevada or explore Montana’s exotic pet rules for a regional comparison.

Exotic Pets That Require a Permit in Colorado

Owning certain wildlife species in Colorado is permissible but requires a specific license from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. These “regulated wildlife” species are often native to Colorado or have the potential to impact native ecosystems if released. Licenses are generally not granted for keeping these animals as simple pets, but rather for specific purposes such as scientific collection, wildlife rehabilitation, or falconry.

You’ll need a Commercial Wildlife Park License to possess any native wildlife or exotic animals not on the unregulated wildlife list. This is a significant threshold — the Commercial Wildlife Park License is primarily designed for professional operations, not private hobbyists. In practice, this means that most regulated species are effectively off-limits for the average Colorado resident as a personal pet.

What the Application Process Looks Like

Applicants seeking a special wildlife license from CPW must gather documentation before applying. Required information includes proof of lawful acquisition, demonstrating the animal was obtained from a legal source. A detailed understanding of the species’ care requirements, often requiring a written plan outlining feeding, housing, and veterinary care, is also needed.

A written plan for proposed facilities and containment structures, ensuring they meet safety and welfare standards, is required. Depending on the license type, proof of experience in handling and caring for the wildlife may be required, such as a letter of recommendation from a licensed Colorado wildlife sanctuary.

Importing a permitted animal from another state adds another layer. Most wildlife requires a health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 30 days of the date of the proposed importation. You must contact the State of Colorado Veterinarian’s Office by phone at (303) 239-4161 to obtain an Entry Permit Number.

Pro Tip: Wildlife cannot be taken from the wild in the State of Colorado. Wildlife may be obtained for private possession by purchase from a propagated (commercially raised) legal source, but only with the appropriate licenses and intended uses. Wild-caught animals are never a legal option.

Falconry and Raptors

Falconry is one area where regulated wildlife can be legally possessed by private individuals, but it comes with significant requirements. For the importation of raptors (birds of prey) and fish, a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Raptor Importation License is also required. The falconry licensing process involves a written exam, facility inspections, and a sponsorship requirement — it is not a casual undertaking.

Native Reptiles and Amphibians Under Permit

A Scientific Collection permit allows for the lawful possession of live wildlife. Specific permit conditions and restrictions apply and may vary from permit to permit based on the needs of the permittee as well as appropriate protection of wildlife resources.

License/Permit Type	Who It’s For	Examples of Animals Covered
Commercial Wildlife Park License	Professional wildlife facilities, zoos, parks	Native mammals, venomous snakes, alligators, crocodiles
Wildlife Sanctuary License	Licensed wildlife sanctuaries	Injured/confiscated native and exotic wildlife
Scientific Collection Permit	Researchers, educators	Native herptiles, regulated species for study
Falconry License	Licensed falconers	Raptors (hawks, falcons, eagles)
Raptor Importation License	Licensed falconers importing birds	Birds of prey from out of state

Exotic Pets That Are Banned in Colorado

Colorado’s banned species list is driven by two concerns: protecting native wildlife from invasive species and protecting public safety. Despite other states allowing wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, monkeys, and other animals as pets, Colorado does not allow any species not indicated in the lists above to be kept as pets, even if you possessed them as pets in another state where they are legal. Moving from a permissive state does not grandfather your animal in.

Native Colorado Wildlife

When it comes to native mammals, Colorado’s rules are clear: you can’t make a pet out of any wild animal regulated by the state. That means no sharing your home with raccoons, possums, or foxes, among others. When it comes to those animals, you’re forbidden both from taking them out of the wild and from bringing them in from other states, even if they were legal there.

Native Colorado mammals such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, and squirrels cannot be kept as pets. Prairie dogs — despite being charming and widely associated with Colorado’s open landscapes — are also on the prohibited list.

Venomous Reptiles

Venomous snakes are prohibited for private possession. Live venomous snakes may only be possessed through a Commercial Wildlife Park License issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Private, noncommercial possession or the possession of a live venomous snake as a pet is prohibited.

The Gila monster situation serves as a cautionary example. CPW includes “Helodermatidae (beaded lizards, gila monsters)” on its list of unregulated wildlife that can be owned without a permit. However, the department clarified that this only applies to tropical and subtropical species of beaded lizards. Gilas are native to the arid Southwest and so aren’t included. In Colorado, they can only be legally owned by zoos and licensed animal parks.

Crocodilians and Large Predators

Alligators and crocodiles require a CPW Commercial Wildlife Park license. Wild animals like bears, elk, mountain lions, and coyotes are illegal to own. These large predators and megafauna are off-limits for private ownership under any circumstances outside of licensed facilities.

Prohibited Ungulates and Exotic Livestock

All goat and sheep species in the subfamily Caprinae (including all hybrids) not native to North America are prohibited. The prohibited species include, but are not limited to, mouflon, barbary sheep, tahr, and chamois. Other banned animals include wildebeest, exotic pigs, certain types of frogs, and specific bovids and ruminants like oryx, mouflon, barbary sheep, tahr, and chamois.

Non-Human Primates

All species and hybrids of non-human primates are prohibited from private possession in Colorado. This includes monkeys of all species — a restriction that surprises many people who have seen primates kept legally as pets in other states.

Common Mistake: Assuming that because an animal is sold at a pet store or by a breeder in another state, it must be legal in Colorado. In Colorado, you cannot remove an animal from the wild and take it home as a pet. CPW regulations do not allow keeping any state-regulated wildlife as pets, even if those animals are allowed in other states. Always verify Colorado-specific rules before purchasing.

For a comparison of how other states handle similar species, see what exotic pets are legal in Texas, or review the rules for exotic pets in Florida, both of which take a notably different approach to large predators and primates.

County and Local Rules That May Override Colorado Law

State law sets the floor for exotic pet ownership in Colorado — but local governments can and do build walls much higher. State law is not the final word on exotic pet ownership in Colorado. Individual municipalities and counties have the authority to enact their own, stricter ordinances. An animal that is permissible to own under state regulations may be explicitly banned within the limits of a specific city or county. This creates a dual layer of regulation that every potential owner must navigate.

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has one of the most formalized local exotic animal frameworks in the state. It is unlawful for anyone to own or keep an exotic animal within the City limits unless they have first obtained an Exotic Animal Permit. Regulations specific to exotic animals may be found in the City Code Sections 6.7.111 through 6.7.114. The application for a Permit must be made to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region along with all required fees.

The city’s definition of an exotic animal is broad. Exotic animals are those which are not commonly domesticated nor common to North America or which, irrespective of geographic origin, are of a wild or predatory nature. However, the provisions shall not apply to the owning or keeping of birds, small rodents, or small nonpoisonous reptiles not exceeding six feet in length commonly used for educational or experimental purposes or for pets.

Denver

Some cities have set their own list of prohibited domestic animals that go beyond the state regulations. For example, the city of Denver prohibits pit bull breeds. Denver also has its own animal control ordinances that restrict certain exotic species beyond what state law requires. You should contact Denver Animal Protection directly to confirm what is and is not permitted within city limits.

The Broader Local Landscape

Local ordinances in various counties and cities in Colorado may impose further restrictions on the possession of wild or exotic animals. It is important for individuals to check both state and local laws before acquiring an exotic animal in Colorado.

HOA rules, landlord lease agreements, and zoning ordinances can add yet another layer. Even if your city and the state both permit an animal, your lease or homeowners association may prohibit it. Always review all applicable agreements before committing to an exotic pet. For apartment-specific guidance, this overview of best exotic pets for apartment living covers practical considerations for renters.

Key Insight: Local rules can be stricter than state law but never more permissive. If Colorado bans an animal, no city or county can make it legal within their borders. The hierarchy always runs: federal law first, then state law, then local ordinances.

Where to Verify Current Rules Before You Buy in Colorado

Given how layered and occasionally counterintuitive Colorado’s exotic pet framework is, verifying rules from primary sources before you purchase any animal is essential. Here is where to go and what to ask.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)

CPW is your first and most important stop. Their Wildlife Aren’t Pets page maintains the official unregulated wildlife and domestic animal lists, along with the prohibited species list. This is the authoritative source for state-level classification. You can also reach CPW’s Special Licensing division at (720) 660-1001 for questions about permit requirements.

Colorado Department of Agriculture — State Veterinarian’s Office

Most wildlife requires a health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 30 days of the date of the proposed importation. Contact the State of Colorado Veterinarian’s Office by phone at (303) 239-4161 to obtain an Entry Permit Number. If you are bringing any animal into Colorado from another state, this call is mandatory before transport.

Your Local Animal Control or City/County Government

You do not need a license from CPW to own any of the animals on the domestic list. Please contact your city/county to see if the animal is allowed where you live. Most municipalities have an animal control department or a planning/zoning office that can answer questions about local ordinances. Do not rely on secondhand information — get confirmation in writing when possible.

USDA APHIS Animal Care

Depending upon the use and classification of the proposed species, a federal permit may be required in addition to the state permit. Federal permits for possession are issued by the USDA or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or both, depending upon the use and protection status of the animals. For circus, zoo, or exhibitor-type animals, the USDA APHIS Animal Care Western Region office can be reached at 970-494-7478.

A Practical Verification Checklist

• Confirm the species appears on CPW’s official unregulated wildlife or domestic animal list
• Check that the species is not on the prohibited species list in Chapter 0 of CPW regulations
• Contact your city or county animal control to confirm no local ban applies
• If importing from another state, obtain a health certificate and Entry Permit Number before transport
• Review your lease or HOA agreement for any animal restrictions
• Check for any applicable federal protections under the Lacey Act or Endangered Species Act
• Verify that your intended source (breeder, seller) is operating legally

Important Note: State laws are frequently changing in response to concerns for public safety and animal well-being. You should always double-check for any new or proposed state or local legislation. What was legal last year may not be legal today, and the reverse is also true.

Colorado’s exotic pet laws are genuinely complex, but they follow a logical framework once you understand the unregulated/regulated/prohibited tiers and the tropical origin rule. The most important habit you can develop is going to primary sources — CPW, your local government, and the State Veterinarian’s Office — rather than relying on what a breeder, forum post, or pet store employee tells you. The consequences of getting it wrong fall hardest on the animal.

If you’re researching exotic pet laws in other states, you may also find it useful to compare Colorado’s rules with those in Idaho, Nebraska, or South Dakota — all western and plains states with their own distinct approaches to exotic animal ownership.