C.R.S. Section 33-6-109
Wildlife

  • illegal possession

(1)

It is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, or have in such person’s possession any wildlife that is the property of this state as provided in section 33-1-101, except as permitted by articles 1 to 6 of this title or by rule or regulation of the commission.

(2)

It is unlawful for any person to have in his possession in Colorado any wildlife, as defined by the state or country of origin, that was acquired, taken, or transported from such state or country in violation of the laws or regulations thereof.

(2.5)

This section does not apply to the illegal possession of live native or nonnative fish or viable gametes (eggs or sperm) which is governed by section 33-6-114.5.

(3)

A person who violates subsection (1) or (2) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, depending upon the wildlife involved, shall be punished upon conviction by a fine or imprisonment, or both, and license suspension points or suspension or revocation of license privileges as follows:

(a)

For each animal listed as endangered or threatened, a fine of not less than two thousand dollars and not more than one hundred thousand dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than one year in the county jail, or by both such fine and such imprisonment, and an assessment of twenty points. Upon conviction, the commission may suspend any or all license privileges of the person for a period of from one year to life.

(b)

For each bald eagle, golden eagle, rocky mountain goat, desert bighorn sheep, American peregrine falcon, or rocky mountain bighorn sheep, a fine of not less than one thousand dollars and not more than one hundred thousand dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than one year in the county jail, or both such fine and such imprisonment, and an assessment of twenty points. Upon conviction, the commission may suspend any or all license privileges of the person for a period of one year to life. A person who possesses all or a part of a bald eagle or golden eagle shall not be in violation of this section if the possession is authorized by 50 CFR 22.

(c)

For each elk, bear, moose, or mountain lion, a fine of one thousand dollars and an assessment of fifteen points.

(d)

For each pronghorn, deer, or big game species as defined in the state or country of origin and not listed in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this subsection (3), a fine of seven hundred dollars and an assessment of fifteen points.

(e)

For each violation of paragraph (c) or (d) of this subsection (3) where any combination of three or more animals are taken or possessed, a minimum fine per animal as set forth in such paragraphs, to a maximum of ten thousand dollars per animal, or imprisonment for not more than one year in the county jail, or by both such fine and such imprisonment. Upon conviction, the commission may suspend any or all license privileges of the person for a period of from one year to life.

(f)

For each raptor not covered by paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection (3) and for each wild turkey, a fine of two hundred dollars and an assessment of ten points.

(g)

For all fish, mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians, or reptiles not covered by subsection (3)(a) of this section, a fine of thirty-five dollars and an assessment of five points for the first such animal and, for each additional such animal taken or possessed at the same time, an additional fine of thirty-five dollars per animal and an assessment of one point per animal.

(h)

For any wildlife not covered by paragraphs (a) to (g) of this subsection (3), a fine of fifty dollars and an assessment of five points for the first such animal and, for each additional such animal taken or possessed at the same time, an additional fine of twenty-five dollars per animal and an additional assessment of five points per animal.

(3.4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

In addition to the criminal penalties listed in subsection (3) of this section, there may be assessed a further penalty in the following amount for each of the following big game animals illegally taken:

(I)

For each bull elk with at least six points on one antler beam, ten thousand dollars;

(II)

For each mule deer buck with an inside antler spread of at least twenty-two inches, ten thousand dollars;

(III)

For each whitetail deer buck with an inside antler spread of at least eighteen inches, ten thousand dollars;

(IV)

For each bull moose, ten thousand dollars;

(V)

For each bighorn sheep with a horn length of at least one-half curl, twenty-five thousand dollars;

(VI)

For each mountain goat, ten thousand dollars;

(VII)

For each pronghorn antelope with a horn length of at least fourteen inches, four thousand dollars.

(b)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 24-4.2-104 (1)(b)(II), C.R.S., no victims and witnesses assistance and law enforcement fund surcharge shall be levied against the additional amount of the penalty imposed under this subsection (3.4). The victims and witnesses assistance and law enforcement fund surcharge shall only be levied against the amount of the fine imposed under subsection (3) of this section.

(II)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33-6-105, all moneys collected as additional penalties under this subsection (3.4) shall be transmitted to the state treasurer, who shall credit such moneys to the Colorado town, city, county, or city and county where the arrest for the offense was made or the citation for the offense was issued. Such additional penalties may be used to further law enforcement or wildlife related programs.

(4)

It is unlawful for any person to have in his possession in Colorado any nonnative or exotic wildlife except in accordance with the rules and regulations of the commission. Any person who violates this subsection (4) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars. In addition, such person shall be assessed ten suspension points per incident for possessing an animal on the prohibited species list and five suspension points per incident for possessing any other nonnative or exotic wildlife species.

Source: Section 33-6-109 — Wildlife - illegal possession, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-33.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

33‑6‑101
Powers and duties of officers 33‑6‑102
Items constituting public nuisance - when - seizure 33‑6‑103
Prosecution of offenses 33‑6‑104
Imposition of penalty - procedures 33‑6‑105
Disposition of fines and surcharges 33‑6‑106
Suspension of license privileges 33‑6‑107
Licensing violations - penalties - rule 33‑6‑108
Possession as prima facie evidence 33‑6‑109
Wildlife - illegal possession 33‑6‑110
Division action to recover possession and value of wildlife unlawfully taken 33‑6‑111
Inspection of license and wildlife - check stations - failure to tag - eluding an officer 33‑6‑112
Evidence of wildlife sex and species 33‑6‑113
Illegal sale of wildlife 33‑6‑113.5
Illegal businesses on division property 33‑6‑114
Transportation, importation, exportation, and release of wildlife 33‑6‑114.5
Native and nonnative fish - possession, transportation, importation, exportation, and release - penalties 33‑6‑115
Theft of wildlife - tampering with trap 33‑6‑115.5
Hunting, trapping, and fishing - intentional interference with lawful activities 33‑6‑116
Hunting, trapping, or fishing on private property - posting public lands 33‑6‑117
Willful destruction of wildlife - legislative intent 33‑6‑118
Killing of big game animals in contest prohibited 33‑6‑119
Pursuit of wounded game - waste of edible game wildlife - use of wildlife as bait 33‑6‑120
Hunting, trapping, or fishing out of season or in a closed area 33‑6‑121
Hunters to wear fluorescent pink or daylight fluorescent orange garments 33‑6‑122
Hunting in a careless manner - definition 33‑6‑123
Hunting under the influence 33‑6‑124
Use of a motor vehicle or aircraft - rules 33‑6‑125
Possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle 33‑6‑126
Shooting from a public road 33‑6‑127
Hunting with artificial light, night vision, or thermal imaging devices 33‑6‑128
Damage or destruction of dens or nests - harassment of wildlife 33‑6‑129
Damage to property or habitat under division control 33‑6‑130
Explosives, toxicants, and poisons not to be used 33‑6‑131
Knowingly luring bears 33‑6‑132
Computer-assisted remote hunting prohibited 33‑6‑201
Legislative declaration - scope and purpose of part 33‑6‑202
Definitions 33‑6‑203
General prohibition - penalties 33‑6‑204
General exemptions - conduct “authorized by law” 33‑6‑205
Exemption - departments of health 33‑6‑206
Exemptions - nonlethal methods 33‑6‑207
Exemption - landowners’ protection of crops and livestock - definitions - authority of division and of department of agriculture 33‑6‑208
Thirty-day period - administration - conditions precedent to use of exemption 33‑6‑209
Poisons - labeling - definitions
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 33-6-109’s source at colorado​.gov