Can You Legally Own a Raccoon in Colorado?

The state of Colorado has very specific laws when it comes to animal ownership, and the wide variety of pets that residents are allowed to own may surprise you.

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One animal that is native to Colorado, the raccoon, is an interesting topic when it comes to pet ownership, as the laws regarding legally being able to own one vary greatly from state to state.

Can You Own a Raccoon as a Pet in Colorado?

While it’s legal to own a water buffalo, an emu, and even numerous species of snake in Colorado, it is not legal to own a raccoon in the Centennial State as a pet.

What States that Border Colorado Also Prohibit Raccoon Ownership?

Outside of Colorado’s borders, it’s also illegal to own a raccoon as a pet in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Kansas.

What States that Border Colorado Allow Raccoon Ownership?

Interestingly, it’s legal to own a raccoon as a pet with a permit in Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma with a permit. The latter two states also require an annual fee.

What Else Do Colorado's Laws Say About Raccoons?

While pet ownership is prohibited, residents of Colorado are allowed to trap raccoons on their property, but must notify the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife, and must gain approval to relocate the live animal to another private property within a 10-mile radius after being caught.

Read More: Large Pets You Can Legally Own In Colorado

It is also permissible to hunt raccoons with a proper permit between the dates of September 1 and February 28.

Check out the full verbiage from CPW here.