Colorado is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife, and squirrels are everywhere — bounding across hiking trails, raiding bird feeders, and darting through city parks. It’s easy to see why someone might wonder whether one of these quick, clever animals could make a good pet. The short answer, under Colorado law, is no — and the rules are stricter here than in most other states.
Before you make any decisions, it helps to understand exactly what the law says, which agencies enforce it, and what the real consequences look like if you choose to ignore it. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about squirrel ownership in Colorado, from statewide statutes to city-level ordinances.
Is It Legal to Own a Squirrel in Colorado?
In Colorado, it is illegal to keep a wildlife species as a domestic pet. While squirrels seem somewhat domesticated by hanging out in your backyard, they are wildlife. That classification carries significant legal weight under state law.
In Colorado, you cannot remove an animal from the wild and take it home as a pet. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) regulations do not allow keeping any state-regulated wildlife as pets, even if those animals are allowed in other states. This is a harder line than many people expect, particularly those who have moved from states where squirrels are permitted with a simple permit.
Colorado law restricts or prohibits the importation and possession of exotic (non-native) wildlife, and noncommercial (pet) possession of regulated mammals has been prohibited by these regulations since 1983. Squirrels, as native Colorado wildlife, fall squarely within the regulated category.
Important Note: Colorado’s prohibition applies whether the squirrel came from your backyard, a breeder in another state, or a wildlife rescue. The source of the animal does not change its legal status under state law.
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 approved lists to be kept as pets, even if you possessed them as pets in another state where they are legal. If you relocate to Colorado with a pet squirrel that was legal where you lived before, it does not become legal here simply because you owned it lawfully elsewhere.
CPW organizes allowable animals into two categories: “domestic animals” and “unregulated wildlife.” Some animals sold commercially are considered exotic 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. Squirrels — including tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels — do not appear on either list, making them off-limits for private pet ownership. You can learn more about the general world of squirrels to better understand just how diverse this animal family is.
Which Squirrel Species Are Legal in Colorado?
Colorado is home to a wide range of squirrel species, and understanding which ones exist here is useful context — even if none of them are legal to keep as pets under state law. Species found in the state include Richardson’s ground squirrels, rock squirrels, and thirteen-lined ground squirrels, along with tree squirrels commonly seen in urban and suburban settings. You can explore the full range of squirrel species found across the United States to see how many varieties exist.
Colorado does not allow residents to keep flying squirrels as pets either. This surprises many people, since flying squirrels are permitted in some other states. In Colorado, the same statewide prohibition that covers tree squirrels and ground squirrels also covers flying squirrels. If you’re curious about this unique animal, you can read more about the flying squirrel before deciding whether to pursue ownership in a state where it is legal.
You do not need a license from CPW to have an unregulated species, but you must comply with all other federal, state, and local laws. For a species to be classified as Unregulated, it must be native to the tropics or subtropics only. If its native range is outside or extends outside of the tropics and subtropics, it is Regulated. Every squirrel species native to Colorado — and most North American squirrels — fails this test, which is why none of them qualify as unregulated pets.
| Squirrel Species | Found in Colorado? | Legal as Pet in CO? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox Squirrel | Yes | No | State-regulated native wildlife |
| Abert’s Squirrel | Yes | No | State-regulated native wildlife |
| American Red Squirrel | Yes | No | State-regulated native wildlife |
| Richardson’s Ground Squirrel | Yes | No | State-regulated native wildlife |
| Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel | Yes | No | State-regulated native wildlife |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Yes | No | Prohibited same as other squirrels |
If you are interested in the different types of squirrels that exist worldwide, or specifically the types of ground squirrels found across North America, those resources can help you understand the animal better — even if Colorado law keeps them out of your home.
Permit and License Requirements in Colorado
A common question from prospective squirrel owners is whether a special permit could make ownership legal. In most states with squirrel ownership laws, there is at least a permit pathway. In Colorado, that pathway is effectively closed for private pet owners.
Colorado issues no licenses for pet squirrel ownership except for rehabilitation and education purposes. This means that even if you are willing to apply, pay fees, and meet housing requirements, there is no permit category available to a private individual who simply wants a squirrel as a companion animal.
California and Colorado, for example, generally don’t let people own wild squirrels. They only give licenses for rehab or education. The two narrow exceptions — wildlife rehabilitation and educational use — come with strict requirements and are not intended for ordinary pet ownership.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation License: Issued to individuals trained to care for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife with the goal of releasing them back to the wild. Keeping the animal permanently as a pet is not permitted under this license.
- Educational Use License: Issued to facilities such as schools, nature centers, or zoos that use wildlife for structured public education programs. This is not available to private individuals for home use.
- Scientific Collection Permit: Allows for the lawful possession of live wildlife under the authority of a scientific collection permit. Specific permit conditions and restrictions apply, and with few exceptions, possession is allowed only long enough for the animal to recover or mature.
Pro Tip: If you are genuinely interested in squirrel welfare, consider volunteering with a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center in Colorado. This is a legal and meaningful way to work with squirrels without running afoul of state law.
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. Since no commission regulation specifically authorizes private squirrel ownership, no legal sale or transfer to a private pet owner is possible within the state.
Where to Legally Obtain a Pet Squirrel in Colorado
The straightforward answer is that there is no legal way to obtain a pet squirrel for private ownership in Colorado. The three most common routes people consider — taking one from the wild, importing one from another state, or purchasing one from a breeder — are all prohibited under state law.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife says you cannot remove a squirrel from the wild and hold it in captivity, no matter how cute and fuzzy they are. This applies even to baby squirrels that appear abandoned or in distress.
Colorado’s rules prohibit sharing your home with raccoons, possums, foxes, and similar wildlife. 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. The same logic applies directly to squirrels.
If you happen to come across a wild baby squirrel that seems to be in distress, the best course of action is to contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife, so the animal can receive proper care and be sent back into the wild where it belongs. CPW’s Denver headquarters can be reached at (303) 297-1192.
Key Insight: Even purchasing a captive-bred squirrel from a USDA-licensed breeder in another state and importing it into Colorado is illegal. Colorado law prohibits bringing in regulated wildlife regardless of its origin or legal status elsewhere.
If you live near Denver, you may already be familiar with the squirrels in your neighborhood. The article on squirrels in Denver offers useful background on the species you’re most likely to encounter. For those in other parts of the state or region, resources on squirrels in northern Arizona and squirrels in El Paso can provide regional context on how neighboring areas handle these animals.
Housing and Care Requirements in Colorado
Because private squirrel ownership is not legal in Colorado, there are no state-issued housing or care standards for pet squirrels the way there are in states that permit them with a license. CPW does not publish enclosure specifications, diet guidelines, or veterinary requirements for private squirrel keepers — because no private squirrel keeping is authorized.
For context, states that do permit squirrel ownership typically require the following types of standards, which illustrate the level of care these animals genuinely need:
- Enclosure size: Minimum dimensions of several feet in height, width, and depth to allow climbing and natural movement
- Enrichment: Branches, nesting boxes, foraging opportunities, and rotating toys to prevent boredom and stress
- Diet: A varied diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and protein sources — not simply sunflower seeds or processed foods
- Veterinary care: Access to an exotic animal veterinarian, since most standard vets do not treat squirrels
- Social needs: Many species do better with companionship, which means housing more than one animal
Squirrels are highly energetic and destructive animals. They are larger than most rodents kept as pets, and they have no real history of domestication. Even in states where ownership is legal, squirrels present significant challenges that many owners underestimate.
Even when you hand-raise a wild animal, it still maintains its natural behaviors. Wild animals raised by humans will lose their fear of humans and become a danger to people, especially as they mature. They are more likely to approach humans in search of food or other resources and become aggressive. They are more likely to come close to human structures and facilities where they may cause damage and become injured or trapped.
If you are drawn to squirrels because of their intelligence and energy, consider that understanding their role in the wild ecosystem — including the predators they face — can deepen your appreciation for why wildlife laws exist in the first place.
Local and Municipal Restrictions in Colorado
Even in the hypothetical scenario where state law permitted squirrel ownership, you would still need to navigate a second layer of rules at the city and county level. Colorado municipalities have significant authority to impose their own animal regulations, and many go further than state law.
Even for exotic pets the state does allow, owners need to make sure they’re also in good graces with their local governments. This layered system means that compliance with state law alone is never enough — local ordinances always apply on top of it.
It is unlawful for anyone to own or keep an exotic animal within the City of Colorado Springs limits unless they have first obtained an Exotic Animal Permit. Regulations specific to exotic animals may be found in 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.
Some cities have set their own list of prohibited domestic animals that go beyond state regulations. For example, the city of Denver prohibits pit bull breeds. Be sure to check with your city’s animal control department to see if there are any additional requirements or restrictions.
Common Mistake: Assuming that because a neighbor or online forum says squirrels are “tolerated” in a certain city, they must be legal. Enforcement varies, but the law itself does not. Tolerance is not the same as legality, and enforcement can change at any time.
A few additional municipal considerations worth knowing:
- HOA rules: State laws set the basics, but cities and counties can add their own restrictions. Even if your state allows pet squirrels, your city or HOA might not.
- Rental agreements: Lease clauses covering exotic or prohibited animals may give landlords grounds to terminate a tenancy if a squirrel is discovered on the premises.
- Zoning codes: Each city will specify how many domestic animals are allowed per household, usually dictated by the city zoning code. Wildlife kept outside legal channels falls entirely outside these frameworks.
Always double-check local laws and zoning rules before getting a squirrel. Ask your landlord or HOA in writing, just to be safe. It’s smart to call animal control or your city clerk too. In Colorado’s case, those calls will confirm what state law already makes clear.
Penalties for Illegal Squirrel Ownership in Colorado
Colorado takes wildlife possession laws seriously, and the penalties reflect that. Enforcement is not merely theoretical — CPW officers have authority to enter premises, seize animals, and issue citations or criminal charges.
Colorado’s policy for illegally held squirrels is seize and destroy. This is one of the harshest outcomes in the country and underscores how seriously the state treats unauthorized wildlife possession. The animal is not relocated or rehomed — it is typically euthanized, because it cannot safely be returned to the wild after living in captivity.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes, the legal consequences for illegal wildlife possession depend on the specific circumstances:
- Nonnative or exotic wildlife: It is unlawful for any person to have in their possession any nonnative or exotic wildlife except in accordance with commission rules. Any person who violates this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000. In addition, such person shall be assessed ten suspension points per incident for possessing an animal on the prohibited species list and five suspension points per incident for possessing any other nonnative or exotic wildlife species.
- General wildlife not covered by other categories: A fine of $50 and an assessment of five points for the first animal, and for each additional animal taken or possessed at the same time, an additional fine of $25 per animal and an additional assessment of five points per animal.
- Criminal classification: A person who violates the illegal possession provisions is guilty of a misdemeanor and, depending upon the wildlife involved, shall be punished upon conviction by a fine or imprisonment, or both, and license suspension points or suspension or revocation of license privileges.
CPW officers have the full power and authority to arrest any person who they have probable cause to believe is guilty of a violation, and to open, enter, and search all places of concealment where they have probable cause to believe wildlife held in violation of the law is to be found.
Important Note: Beyond fines and potential jail time, a wildlife conviction in Colorado results in license suspension points. Accumulating 20 or more points within a five-year period can result in suspension of hunting and fishing privileges. This affects not just exotic pet ownership, but your ability to participate in any licensed outdoor activity in the state.
If you keep a squirrel illegally, you could face fines, lose the animal, or even get criminal charges if the situation is serious. Bringing a squirrel into a state that bans them can get you in more trouble. Importing a squirrel from out of state compounds the violation by adding a transportation and importation offense on top of the possession charge.
Colorado’s approach is grounded in a clear conservation philosophy. Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s stance on owning wildlife is informed by conservation, with the goal of maintaining Colorado’s unique ecosystem and protecting native animals. Understanding that context helps explain why the rules are as firm as they are — and why the penalties are designed to deter rather than simply inconvenience.
If you are passionate about squirrels and want to engage with them legally, consider supporting a licensed wildlife rehabilitation organization, contributing to habitat conservation efforts, or simply learning more about the many squirrel species found across the United States. For those in neighboring states curious about how rules differ by region, articles on squirrels in Nebraska and squirrels in Alabama offer useful regional comparisons. And if you want to manage squirrel activity around your property without running into legal trouble, learning about plants that repel squirrels is a practical, fully legal approach.