Monkeys are intelligent, social, and undeniably fascinating animals — and it’s easy to understand why some people are drawn to the idea of keeping one as a pet. But if you live in Colorado and you’re seriously considering it, the law has a clear answer for you before you get any further.
Colorado prohibits private monkey ownership, and that prohibition applies regardless of species, size, or where the animal came from. Understanding exactly why the law is written this way, what narrow exceptions exist, and what happens if you ignore the rules can save you from a costly and stressful situation.
Is It Legal to Own a Monkey in Colorado
Despite other states allowing wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, monkeys, and other animals as pets, Colorado does not allow any species not indicated on its approved lists to be kept as pets, even if you possessed them as pets in another state where they are legal. That means moving to Colorado with a monkey you legally owned elsewhere does not grant you any right to keep it here.
No private citizen in Colorado can keep a monkey as a pet. This is not a gray area or a matter of local interpretation at the state level — it is a firm prohibition backed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) policy and state statute.
Colorado wildlife law generally prohibits the live possession of both native and exotic wildlife. However, Special Wildlife Licenses can be issued which authorize the private possession of live wildlife for a limited number of particular purposes, such as rehabilitation, falconry, or scientific collection. Private pet ownership is not among those purposes.
Important Note: Bringing a monkey into Colorado from another state where it was legal does not make it legal here. Colorado law applies the moment the animal enters the state.
The state’s framework is built around two categories of permissible animals: Colorado Parks and Wildlife has created two categories of species called Unregulated Wildlife and Domestic Animals. Species on these lists are legal to own, import, or sell. You do not need a license from CPW to have one of these species, but you must comply with all other federal, state, and local laws dealing with importation, disease, and other issues. Monkeys appear on neither list.
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. Primates of all kinds fall squarely outside both approved lists. You can read more about Colorado’s broader wildlife framework through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife exotic pets page.
Which Monkey Species Are Allowed or Banned in Colorado
There is no approved species list for private monkey ownership in Colorado — the ban is comprehensive. Monkeys and other primates, exotic pigs, certain kinds of frogs, exotic bovids such as wildebeest, and ruminants like oryx are all illegal to possess in Colorado. This covers every commonly kept primate species, including capuchin monkeys, marmosets, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and macaques.
Colorado is among the states where pygmy marmosets — often called finger monkeys — are illegal, alongside states such as California, Hawaii, New York, Texas, and Utah, among others. If you’ve been researching small monkey breeds and wondering which ones might be an exception in Colorado, the answer is none.
The same applies to spider monkeys, which are sometimes marketed as more manageable exotic pets. They are equally prohibited under Colorado law.
Key Insight: Colorado’s ban is not species-specific. It covers all primates — from the smallest finger monkey to the largest great ape — for private ownership purposes.
On the ape side of the primate family, the rules involve a separate but related statute. Since 1994, Colorado’s Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA) has banned the import, possession, sale, and transfer of apes. This covers chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons. Generally, it is illegal to import, possess, or sell apes for use as pets; but federally licensed exhibitors like circuses, zoos, animal acts, and some wildlife sanctuaries, scientific research facilities, and disabled people can freely import, possess, buy, and sell those animals.
One narrow exception exists for disabled individuals. In Colorado, it is legal for disabled individuals to possess apes trained as assistance animals. Capuchin monkeys are typically the only species of primate used to assist disabled people, and the few states that do allow assistance primates tend to limit the allowable species to capuchin monkeys. Colorado does not have such a limitation, so a disabled person could legally possess a trained chimpanzee, gorilla, bonobo, orangutan, or gibbon as an assistance animal. This exception is narrow, heavily regulated, and does not apply to pet ownership in any form.
Permit and License Requirements for Monkey Ownership in Colorado
For most Colorado residents, the question of permits is straightforward: there are none available for private monkey ownership. Permits for monkey ownership are extremely rare and generally only granted to accredited zoos, sanctuaries, or research institutions. It is highly unlikely that a private individual would be able to obtain a permit.
The entities that can legally hold primates in Colorado are tightly defined. Federally licensed exhibitors like circuses, zoos, animal acts, and some wildlife sanctuaries, scientific research facilities, and disabled people can import and possess apes. These organizations operate under layers of federal and state oversight that the average private owner cannot replicate.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-licensed Class C exhibitors are exempt from the state’s ape ban. Under state law, exhibitors generally need to have a Colorado Department of Natural Resources-issued license in order to legally possess wild or exotic animals. Obtaining a Class C USDA exhibitor license requires demonstrating professional-grade facilities, trained staff, and compliance with the federal Animal Welfare Act — conditions far beyond what a private home can meet.
Pro Tip: If you work in wildlife education, research, or rehabilitation and believe you may qualify for a Special Wildlife License, contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Special Licensing division directly at (720) 660-1001 before acquiring any animal.
Although the Colorado Department of Natural Resources licenses individuals and facilities that possess wild or exotic animals and regulates the housing and care of those animals, the agency does not apply the state’s licensure requirements or regulations to apes. In Colorado, there are four state agencies responsible for regulating the importation, possession, use, or treatment of apes within the state. Those agencies are CPW, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Public Health and Environment. Private pet owners fall outside the purview of all four for this purpose.
There is also a federal layer to consider. In 2003, the CDC banned the importation of nonhuman primates into the United States for the pet trade under 42 CFR Part 71.53. That means every legally sold pet monkey in the country must be captive-bred domestically. Even in states where private ownership is legal, the supply chain is restricted — and in Colorado, where ownership itself is banned, that federal rule adds another barrier on top of state law.
Local Laws That May Still Apply in Colorado
Even if state law were somehow silent on the issue — which it is not — local governments in Colorado have their own authority to regulate or ban exotic animals. This is where real restrictions come into play. Many cities and counties in Colorado have ordinances that specifically prohibit the possession of monkeys, apes, and other primates.
Certain provisions within Colorado’s state statutes authorize counties and local municipalities to prohibit or regulate the local possession and use of great apes, regardless of whether a would-be possessor has secured a federal permit. This means that even if you somehow qualified for a federal or state-level exemption, your city or county could still say no.
Cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, and Aurora all have animal control ordinances that go beyond state minimums. Some, like Colorado Springs, require a specific permit for the more exotic varieties of exotic animals. For primates specifically, local bans tend to be absolute rather than permit-based.
| Jurisdiction Level | Authority Over Monkeys | Private Ownership Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Federal (CDC/USDA) | Bans import for pet trade; regulates exhibitors | No (for pet trade) |
| Colorado State (CPW/PACFA) | Bans all private primate ownership | No |
| Cities and Counties | Can add stricter local bans or ordinances | No |
| HOAs / Private Communities | May independently prohibit exotic animals | No |
Homeowners Associations may also prohibit exotic animals. Primate ownership can be regulated by any level of government. If you live in a community with an HOA, a separate review of your governing documents is warranted even before considering state or local law — though in Colorado, it won’t change the outcome.
Even for exotic pets the state does allow, owners need to make sure they’re also in good graces with their local governments. For monkeys, that conversation never even gets started, because the state-level prohibition comes first. Colorado’s wildlife laws are also relevant context for understanding the state’s broader approach to exotic animals — much like how the state manages its native species, from owls to snakes, under strict regulatory frameworks.
Where You Can Legally Buy a Monkey in Colorado
The short answer is: you cannot legally buy a monkey in Colorado for private ownership. Because the state bans private possession, there is no legal retail or private sale channel for monkeys within the state for that purpose.
The exceptions for primate possession are heavily regulated and require extensive permits and compliance with federal, state, and local laws. They are not options for private individuals seeking to keep a monkey as a pet. Purchasing a monkey in another state and transporting it to Colorado does not make the arrangement legal — the prohibition applies to possession within Colorado, regardless of where the animal was acquired.
Common Mistake: Some people assume that buying a monkey from a breeder in a state where it is legal, then bringing it to Colorado, creates a legal loophole. It does not. Colorado law prohibits possession within the state, full stop.
A capuchin monkey typically costs $5,000 to $7,000, and even a small marmoset runs $1,500 to $4,000. These figures reflect the market in states where private sales are legal. In Colorado, spending that money on a primate would also mean acquiring an animal you cannot legally keep — and facing the legal consequences that follow. You can explore the broader monkey ownership landscape to understand which states do allow it and what those legal markets look like.
If your interest is in observing or interacting with primates, Colorado does have legitimate options. If you want to enjoy a monkey, you can visit one of the state’s amazing zoos like the Denver Zoo or the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Colorado’s Wild Animal Sanctuary also provides an opportunity to support primate welfare without ownership. If you are drawn to the intelligence and charisma of primates, ethical alternatives include donating to organizations that work to protect wild monkey populations and their habitats, or volunteering at an animal sanctuary that provides care for them.
What It Actually Costs to Own a Monkey in Colorado
Because private monkey ownership is illegal in Colorado, this section addresses the hypothetical cost picture — both to illustrate why the law exists and to help you understand what enforcement and remediation expenses look like if someone attempts it anyway.
In states where ownership is legal, the financial reality is substantial. A capuchin monkey typically costs $5,000 to $7,000, and even a small marmoset runs $1,500 to $4,000 just for the initial purchase. Those are acquisition costs only — ongoing expenses are considerably higher.
- Housing and enclosures: Primates require large, secure, enriched enclosures that can cost several thousand dollars to build and maintain properly.
- Veterinary care: Exotic animal vets are rare and expensive. Annual care, vaccinations, and emergency treatment for a primate can run $1,000 to $3,000 or more per year.
- Diet and enrichment: Monkeys require varied, species-appropriate diets and constant mental stimulation, adding hundreds of dollars monthly.
- Liability insurance: Owners almost always need to purchase insurance for bites. Standard homeowner’s policies typically exclude exotic animals, requiring separate coverage.
States that allow monkeys may have detailed wellness checks, lengthy applications, and costly fees and fines needed to keep a monkey as a pet legally. Some states also require a minimum age to adopt a monkey or a designated number of volunteer hours working alongside monkeys to qualify for keeping one as a pet. Other restrictions surround the type of habitat, enclosure, and environment you can provide for your pet monkey, with minimal square footage and space required.
Beyond the financial cost, monkeys cannot be fully domesticated, especially once they reach sexual maturity. Puberty will change their behavior drastically. The behavioral and welfare challenges of primate ownership are a significant part of why Colorado — and most states — have moved toward prohibition. Health risks are also a factor: monkeys can carry zoonotic diseases, meaning diseases that can be transmitted to humans, some of which are potentially deadly. You can read more about disease transmission risks associated with primates on the monkeypox information page.
Penalties for Illegally Owning a Monkey in Colorado
Illegal possession of wildlife in Colorado is punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the specific charges brought, which can involve violations of CPW regulations, PACFA, local ordinances, or a combination of all three.
Penalties vary by jurisdiction but can include fines, confiscation of the animal, and even criminal charges. The severity of the penalty often depends on the specific local ordinance and the circumstances of the violation.
For apes specifically, the financial exposure under Colorado law includes criminal penalties tied to interference with state investigations. Any person who interferes with a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment investigation regarding a potentially diseased ape is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor and upon conviction may be imprisoned for up to a year and/or fined up to $1,000. Violations of PACFA itself carry their own separate civil and criminal penalties.
Important Note: Animal confiscation is a near-certain outcome of being caught with an illegal monkey in Colorado. The animal will be removed, and you may be responsible for the cost of its care during and after the process.
Confiscation also has a financial sting beyond the fines themselves. Following impoundment, there is a court hearing to determine whether the ape’s owner is able to adequately provide for the animal and is a fit person to own the animal. If the court finds in favor of the owner, the ape will be returned and the owner must reimburse the Colorado Department of Agriculture for all costs associated with caring for the animal. In most cases involving illegal private possession, courts do not find in favor of the owner.
Beyond the direct legal penalties, there are collateral consequences to consider. Being convicted of an illegal wildlife possession offense can affect professional licenses, create a permanent record, and result in civil liability if the animal injures someone before it is seized. Monkey bans are rooted in zoonotic disease and public safety liability — and courts take those concerns seriously when determining outcomes in possession cases.
Colorado takes its wildlife laws seriously across the board, whether the subject is native species like the rabbits and hummingbirds protected under state wildlife rules, or exotic animals like primates. The state’s position is consistent: wild animals belong in appropriate, regulated settings — not in private homes. If you have questions about a specific situation, the most reliable step is to contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife directly or consult an attorney familiar with Colorado wildlife law.