CHAPTER 11 - WILDLIFE PARKS AND UNREGULATED WILDLIFE
Introduction to Chapter 11
In this introduction to chapter 11 we outline possession requirements for live wildlife as found in Colorado wildlife law. There is growing interest in the private possession of live wildlife.  At the same time there is considerable confusion over the laws regarding such private possession.  Colorado wildlife law generally prohibits the importation, live possession, sale, barter, trade, or purchase of any species of wildlife native to Colorado (33-6-113(1), C.R.S.).  In addition, these same laws restrict or prohibit the importation and possession of exotic (non-native) wildlife (33-6-109(4), C.R.S.); and noncommercial  (pet) possession of regulated mammals has been prohibited by these regulations since 1983.
Live possession of Wildlife is permitted only under the exceptions noted below and as further detailed in Wildlife Commission regulations and Colorado statutes, See C.R.S. 33-1-106, 33-6-109, 33-6-113, 33-6-114, 18-9-202. The Wildlife Commission also maintains a "prohibited species" list in Chapter 0.  The possession of these species is severely restricted.
The Wildlife Commission establishes these regulations in an effort to balance its mandate to protect native species of wildlife in Colorado from the impacts which could be caused by the introduction of exotic (non-native) species with the public interest and demand for the private possession of live wildlife.
Reptiles and Amphibians -  Chapter 10 of Wildlife Commission regulations provide 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.
Scientific Collection permit -  Chapter 13 allows for the lawful possession of live wildlife under the authority of a scientific collection permit.  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.
Wildlife Rehabilitation -  Chapter 14 allows for the lawful possession of live wildlife by licensed rehabilitators as a means to care for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.  With few exceptions, possession is allowed only long enough for the animal to recover or mature.
Falconry and Hawking -  Chapter 6 allows for the possession of falcons, hawks, and eagles for falconry purposes.  Persons possessing these birds must be properly licensed by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Division of Wildlife.  Possession limits and other restrictions apply.
Aquaculture -  Colorado statutory law recognizes that fish may be held and propagated under the authority of an aquaculture permit issued by the Department of Agriculture.  In addition, chapter 12 authorizes the possession of fish for use in aquaria with some restrictions.
Bait dealers  -  Chapter 1, fishing, authorizes bait dealers and individuals to possess certain live fish as bait.  Specific restrictions apply.
Common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentine) - Chapter 0, General Provisions, authorizes the live possession of common snapping turtles by any person.

Wildlife Park Licenses -  Chapter 11 provides for lawful possession, propagation and sale of native and exotic wildlife via a mandatory licensing process.  This includes possession of any live wildlife, other than those discussed above or listed as "unregulated" wildlife.  Examples include: Any live mammals (including furbearers), game birds, or other terrestrial wildlife not specifically listed on the unregulated wildlife list.  Persons possessing live wildlife under a Commercial Wildlife Park License are required to maintain their commercial status.
Unregulated Wildlife -  No license is required for the private possession or purchase of animals, which are included on the unregulated wildlife list or the domestic animal list.  These animals may be sold, bartered, traded, exchanged, propagated or purchased by any person provided that importation requirements of the Department of Agriculture, health certifications, or any other federal, state or local requirement are met.  There are no possession limits.
These chapter 11 regulations clarify that it is unlawful to intentionally release any wildlife declared to be unregulated.  The wildlife on these lists are typically sold, purchased, possessed and propagated as pets, maintained by hobbyists, or raised for food and fiber within Colorado's alternative livestock industry.  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.
ARTICLE II -  LICENSE REQUIREMENTS, LICENSE EXEMPTIONS, LICENSE TYPES, APPLICATION AND RECORD REQUIREMENTS, AND LICENSE RENEWAL.
#1103 - EXEMPTIONS FROM LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
B.   Unregulated Wildlife -  Prior to adoption of this regulation (#1103(B)), possession of the listed species was expressly prohibited by Section 33-6-109(4), C.R.S.   The decision of the Wildlife Commission to authorize this possession as herein provided is based on the scientific evidence available to it at the time of adoption of the regulation.  The Wildlife Commission retains the statutory authority and duty to amend these regulations and to impose requirements, restrictions, and/or prohibition on possession of any of the listed species if and when further evidence comes to the Wildlife Commission's attention which makes such amendments appropriate.
Except for the provisions of section #007 regarding importation, #008 regarding the prohibited species list, #009 regarding release of live wildlife, and section #1114 regarding the addition of species to the unregulated wildlife list, the wildlife enumerated in this list are otherwise exempted from the requirements of Wildlife Commission regulations.
Unregulated wildlife may be imported, sold, bartered, traded, transferred, possessed, propagated and transported in Colorado provided that all importation, disease requirements and any other state, local or federal requirements are met.  Statutory restrictions still apply.
Reptiles and Amphibians:
All non-native tropical and sub-tropical species of snakes in the families:
Bolidae (giant snakes)
Colubridae (modern snakes), except venomous species
Acrochordidae (file and elephant trunk snakes)
Xenopeltidae (sunbeam snakes)
Aniliidae (pipe snakes)
Uropeltidae (shield-tailed snakes)
All non-native tropical and subtropical species of lizards in the Suborder Sauria, including but not limited to the following families or subfamilies:
Agamidae (chisel-teeth lizards)
Anelytropsidae (snake lizards)
Anguidae (glass and alligator lizards)
Chamaeleonidae (chameleons)
Cordylidae (girdle-tailed lizards)
Corytophanidae (casquehead lizards)
Crotaphytidae (collared and leopard lizards)
Dibamidae (blind lizards)
Feyliniidae (African snake skinks)
Gekkonidae (geckos)
Pygopodidae (snake lizards)
Scincidae (skinks)
Eublepharidae (Eyelid geckos)
Helodermatidae (beaded lizards, gila monsters)
Iguanidae (iguanas)
Lacertidae (wall lizards)
Lanthanotidae (earless monitor)
Phrynosomatidae (earless, spiny, and horned lizards)
Polychridae (anoles)
Teiidae (whiptail)
Tropiduridae (neotropical ground lizards)
Varanidae (monitor lizard)
Xantusiidae (night lizard)
Xenosauridae (knob-scaled lizards).
All non-native tropical and subtropical species of turtles in the families:
Carettochelyidae (New Guinea softshell turtles)
Dermatemydidae (Central American river turtles)
Kinosternidae (mud and musk turtles)
Testudinidae (tortoises)
Trionychidae (soft-shelled turtles)
Red-eared slider ( Trachemys    scripta )
All non-native tropical and subtropical species of frogs and toads in the families:
Atelopodidae (stub-footed toads)
Bufonidae (true toads)
Centrolenidae (glass frogs)
Dendrobatidae (poison dart frogs)
Hylidae (tree frogs)
Leptodactylidae (tropical frogs)
Microhylidae (narrow-mouthed toads)
Pelobatidae (spadefoot toads)
Pelodytidae (spadefoot toads)
Phrynomeridae (snake-necked frogs)
Pipidae (clawed frogs, Surinam toads)
Pseudidae (Harlequin frogs)
Ranidae (true frogs)
Rhacophoridae (flying frogs)
Rhinophrynidae (cone-nosed toads)
Rana   pipiens  (Leopard frog) acquired from lawful out-of-state source or instate commercial producer.
Ambystoma   tigrinum  (Tiger salamander) acquired from lawful out-of-state source or instate commercial producer.
Oriental fire-bellied toad ( Bombina   orientalis )
Order Gymnophiona - Caecilians, tropical amphibians
Order Urodela - Salamanders and newts
Suborder Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards
Caimans