Commercial Fur Sales

In response to the Parks and Wildlife Commission’s (Commission) direction to initiate rulemaking on a citizen petition related to commercial fur sales, the Division is seeking public input to inform an issue paper (regulatory proposal) that will be presented to the Commission at their July 16-17, 2026 meeting. Public input will be accepted by the Division from April 7, 2026 through May 3, 2026.

Background

In June 2025, the Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the Commission to amend Chapter W-0 regulations to prohibit the commercial sale, barter, or trade of furs from furbearer species in Colorado with limited exemptions. The petitioners seek to prohibit sales of furbearer fur in Colorado except:

• “handtied fishing flies sold as a finished product” (furbearer fur sold for fly tying would be prohibited under the petition’s suggested amendment)
• “Felted fur Western hats may be sold, provided that such hats are crafted using heritage techniques like wet felting that promote sustainability and cultural craftsmanship.”
• Fur “sold for the purposes of scientific research, education, or museum collections”.

The petition also alludes to possible exemptions for American Indian and indigenous ceremonial uses and secondhand or vintage fur sales.

Who May Be Impacted?

The amendment suggested in the petition may impact hunters and trappers, wholesalers, retailers and purchasers of fur products from furbearers. The suggested amendment would impact the sale, barter, or trade of fur from the 17 furbearer species identified in CPW regulations (mink, pine marten, badger, red fox, gray fox, swift fox, striped skunk, western spotted skunk, beaver, muskrat, long-tailed weasel, short-tailed weasel, coyote, bobcat, opossum, ring-tailed cat and raccoon). However, the Division proposes that the potential ban would not apply to the transfer, barter or sale of furbearers taken under the statutory provisions found in Title 35 or section 33-6-107(9) of the Colorado Revised Statutes. The Division also proposes that the potential ban apply only to the sale, barter, or trade of pelts or hides of furbearers that were hunted or trapped in Colorado.

What is Happening Now?

The Commission asked the Division of Parks and Wildlife to initiate a formal rulemaking process for this citizen petition. Division staff will now draft an issue paper, which articulates the regulatory issue and potential changes to current regulations. Potential changes to regulations will be based in part on suggested regulatory amendments described in the petition. Other considerations that staff will weigh when drafting the issue paper include public and stakeholder input, statutory provisions, enforceability of proposed regulations, and potential exemptions not included in the petition.

The issue paper is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the Commission for initial consideration (step 1 of 2) at the July 16-17, 2026 meeting. The Commission is tentatively scheduled to consider final regulations for approval (step 2 of 2) at the September 2-3, 2026 meeting.

How Can the Public Provide Input?

The Division is seeking public input to inform an issue paper that will be presented to the Commission. Please use the comment form on this page to provide input to the Division on a potential commercial fur sale ban and possible exemptions. Public input will be accepted by the Division from April 7, 2026 through May 3, 2026. Individual comments will not be provided to the Commission but may be summarized by Division personnel.

Members of the public can submit public comments directly to the Commission as part of the rulemaking process. More information on submitting public comments for consideration by Commissioners is available on the PWC webpage.