Colorado — possession of nonnative/exotic wildlife unlawful without commission rules (C.R.S. § 33-6-109)
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes — Title 33 (Parks and Wildlife), Article 6, Part 1, § 33-6-109, extracted 2026-07-23. First-hand state statute text; C1 substring-verified against pdf-raw/exotic-legality/co_rev_stat_33_6_109.txt.
Colorado uses a regulated/restricted model for exotic pets: possessing nonnative or exotic wildlife is unlawful unless done in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission rules. This is distinct from a blanket ban (NY) or a positive list (MA) — Colorado prohibits possession of nonnative/exotic wildlife by default, with lawful possession only via commission-permitted pathways (e.g., licensed facilities, permitted activities).
This covers the Colorado "are exotic pets banned, and by whom?" question: the STATE prohibits possession of nonnative/exotic wildlife absent commission authorization, enforced as a misdemeanor. It contrasts with NY (blanket state ban), FL/CA (state schedules/lists), MA/HI (state lists), and OR (local-option). CITES Appendix status is a separate federal/trade layer and is not addressed here.
Verbatim C1 claims (each a substring of the source file + this body):
- "It is unlawful for any person to have in his possession in Colorado any nonnative or exotic wildlife except in accordance with the rules and regulations of the commission."
- "Any person who violates this subsection (4) is guilty of a misdemeanor"
- "It is unlawful for any person to have in his possession in Colorado any wildlife, as defined by the state or country of origin, that was acquired, taken, or transported from such state or country in violation of the laws or regulations thereof."