In Colorado, the laws around what animals are legal or illegal to own are nuanced, and violating them can put you and the animals at risk. Generally speaking, wild animals (like bears, elk, mountain lions, and coyotes) are illegal to own, while domesticated animals (think cattle, horses, dogs, and cats) are legal and unregulated. Curious about what exotic pets are legal in Colorado? Then read on! Please note that this is not an all inclusive list, but only includes animals we educate.
Considering a pet giraffe? Understand the complex legal journey and requirements for responsible exotic animal ownership. FindLaw's state-by-state guide of laws that prohibit and/or regulate the ownership of certain exotic animals. In general, it is illegal to own wildlife in Colorado.
You cannot remove a wild animal from the woods and take it home. There's a story of a man in Northern Colorado getting attacked by a reindeer that has people around the state talking about what types of animals are legal to own here. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, at least from their perspective wildlife should stay wild because not only are these animals happier in the wild, some of them are flat out too dangerous to own.
It IS however legal to own domestic animals, which aren't regulated by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. These animals must, however, comply with regulations of the state agriculture and. Every U.S.
state has exotic or wild animals laws defining if a species is allowed, forbidden, or needs specific permission. You can have a pet crocodile, python, or emu in some states, while others have banned pet rabbits or hamsters. Some U.S.
states are more permissive than others. Find out what your state's wild or exotic animal laws are, and before you take an animal to your home. Wildlife are a "public resource" so cannot be owned by individuals, according to Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW), and it's for the animals' own good.
Wild animals just aren't wired for domestic living like dogs, cats, and other common pets. Wildlife can carry disease, and they can become frightened, destructive, and even harmful to. The legality of owning a giraffe in the United States is determined by a tiered system of government oversight.
There is no simple "yes" or "no" answer, as a potential owner must navigate regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. Each layer of law presents its own set of rules and requirements that must be satisfied.