Exotic pet laws in Colorado
Every animal in our directory, checked against Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) rules and Colorado statute. Click any animal for the full entry — the exact law, penalties, permits, and local caveats.
All animals: status at a glance
| Animal | Status | Statute | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Banned | 2 CCR 406-11 (ch. W-11) | 2026-07-03 |
| Monkey | Banned | 2 CCR 406-11 (primates not unregulated) | 2026-07-03 |
| Serval | Banned | 2 CCR 406-11 (serval not unregulated) | 2026-07-03 |
| Fennec Fox | Banned | 2 CCR 406-11 (fennec not unregulated) | 2026-07-03 |
| Sugar Glider | Legal | 2 CCR 406-11 (unregulated wildlife list) | 2026-07-03 |
| Hedgehog | Legal | 2 CCR 406-11, ch. W-11 §1103 (unregulated wildlife) | 2026-07-13 |
| Ferret | Legal | 2 CCR 406-8 ch. 11 (domestic ferret treated as domestic animal) | 2026-07-13 |
Animals banned in Colorado
- Raccoon — Regulated wildlife under Colorado's whitelist system — no pet licenses issued
- Monkey — Regulated wildlife — primates aren't on the unregulated list; no pet licenses
- Serval — Regulated wildlife — exotic cats closed to private ownership
- Fennec Fox — Not on the unregulated list — regulated wildlife, no pet pathway
Legal without a permit in Colorado
- Sugar Glider — On Colorado's unregulated wildlife list — legal, no license
- Hedgehog — Legal — African pygmy hedgehogs are on CPW's unregulated wildlife list
- Ferret — Legal — classified with domestic animals, outside CPW's wildlife rules
How Colorado regulates exotic pets
Primary authority sits with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Statewide statute sets the floor; cities and counties frequently layer stricter bans on top, so always check your municipal code as well as the entries above.
Research directory, not legal advice. Verify current rules with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) before acquiring any animal.