Is it legal to own a raccoon in Colorado?
The short answer
No. Colorado works by whitelist: any wildlife not on the unregulated or domestic lists is regulated, and CPW explicitly does not issue licenses for private pet possession. Raccoons are regulated native wildlife with no pet pathway.
What Colorado law says
CPW regulations (ch. W-11) enumerate unregulated species; everything else requires a license CPW won't grant for pets. CPW's own guidance — 'Wildlife Aren't Pets' — is unambiguous about raccoons.
Which agency regulates raccoons in Colorado
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is the authority for raccoon (Procyon lotor) possession in Colorado.
Is there a permit for pet raccoons?
No. There is no permit pathway that allows private pet ownership.
Penalties for owning a raccoon illegally
Misdemeanor possession with fines and confiscation; rabies-vector protocols apply.
Local city and county rules
Statewide framework controls.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get any Colorado permit for a pet raccoon?
No. CPW licenses for regulated wildlife serve rehabilitation, research, and commercial parks — pet ownership is expressly excluded.
Sources
More animals in Colorado
- Is it legal to own a monkey 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 raccoon 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.