Is it legal to own a monkey in Colorado?
The short answer
No. Primates aren't on Colorado's unregulated wildlife list, which makes them regulated wildlife — and CPW doesn't license regulated wildlife as pets.
What Colorado law says
The whitelist covers a short list of exotics (sugar gliders and hedgehogs among them); primates aren't on it, closing private ownership.
Which agency regulates monkeys in Colorado
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is the authority for monkey (Nonhuman primates) possession in Colorado.
Is there a permit for pet monkeys?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership.
Penalties for owning a monkey illegally
Misdemeanor possession, fines, and seizure.
Local city and county rules
Statewide framework controls.
Frequently asked questions
Are any monkeys legal in Colorado?
No — no primate appears on the unregulated list, and CPW doesn't issue pet licenses for regulated wildlife.
Sources
More animals in Colorado
- Is it legal to own a raccoon in Colorado?
- Is it legal to own a serval in Colorado?
- Is it legal to own a fennec fox in Colorado?
See all animals on the exotic pet laws in Colorado page, or compare every state on the pet monkey laws by state page.
Last verified 2026-07-03 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.