Is it legal to own a hedgehog in Colorado?
The short answer
Yes. African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris) are expressly listed as unregulated wildlife in Colorado, so no CPW license is needed to own one. Note that other hedgehog genera (Erinaceus, Hemiechinus, Paraechinus) remain prohibited — only the pet-trade African pygmy species is allowed.
What Colorado law says
CPW regulation Chapter W-11, §1103(B) (2 CCR 406-11) names the African pygmy hedgehog as unregulated wildlife; other hedgehog species are prohibited under Chapter W-0, §008.
Which agency regulates hedgehogs in Colorado
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is the authority for hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) possession in Colorado.
Is there a permit for pet hedgehogs?
No permit is required at the state level. Only Atelerix albiventris is unregulated; European and desert hedgehog species are prohibited in Colorado.
Penalties and enforcement
None for the unregulated African pygmy species; possessing prohibited hedgehog species brings misdemeanor fines and confiscation.
Local city and county rules
Colorado municipalities may add exotic-pet rules — check your city code.
Legal alternatives in Colorado
- Sugar Glider in Colorado — A palm-sized gliding marsupial, legal in most states but banned in a handful of cities and states.
- Ferret in Colorado — Fully domesticated for millennia, yet still outlawed in California and Hawaii — the most mainstream 'exotic' pet in America.
Frequently asked questions
Are all hedgehog species legal in Colorado?
No. Only the African pygmy hedgehog is on CPW's unregulated list; Erinaceus, Hemiechinus, and Paraechinus species are prohibited.
Sources
- CPW — Wildlife Aren't Pets (unregulated species)
- 2 CCR 406-11 — Chapter W-11, Wildlife Parks and Unregulated Wildlife
More animals in Colorado
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Colorado?
- Is it legal to own a monkey in Colorado?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Colorado?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Colorado page, or compare every state on the pet hedgehog laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-13 against the cited primary sources. This is a research directory, not legal advice — confirm current rules with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and your local animal-control authority before acquiring any animal.