Crayfish Regulations
CPW presented background information, potential regulation changes, and results of public input at the August 24-25 Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) meeting.
The PWC approved the final regulations related to red swamp crayfish at their November 16-17, 2023 meeting, effective January 1st, 2024.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife now allows the importation, transportation, and possession of live red swamp crayfish in Colorado for human consumption, provided the following conditions are met:
No person may possess an individual of the species alive for more than 72 hours.
Any person who possesses the species alive must have:
a copy of an importation license that authorizes the importation of the crayfish in the person’s possession; and
a receipt or delivery confirmation reflecting the date the person took possession of the crayfish.
This regulation change will primarily impact businesses that import crayfish into Colorado and should have minimal impact on the average consumer. In most cases, the business importing live crayfish will apply for the importation license and a copy of the approved license must accompany the shipment of crayfish. Consumers buying live crayfish from an in-state vendor will receive a copy of the importation license along with the required receipt. Consumers buying cooked crayfish from a restaurant will be unaffected.
Importation licenses are available per calendar year through CPWShop.com.
Specific changes to Chapter W-0 can be found on page 8 with additional info on page 29 of this document: https://cpw.widen.net/view/pdf/kozqsvnt78/Item.11-W-0_Final.pdf?u=xyuvvu
The importation of most live crayfish species remains illegal in Colorado. The importation of many live aquatic species is illegal due to the threat they can pose to our aquatic resources (e.g. rusty crayfish, New Zealand mudsnails, zebra/quagga mussels, etc.).
Who's Listening
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Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement
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Assistant Aquatic Section Manager
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Public Involvement Specialist
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Public Involvement Specialist
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Policy and Planning Project Manager
Absolutely not. Let’s work on protecting native species and reintroducing those we’ve already decimated instead of introducing exotic species.
With the current costs to transport anything, if a business or individual can afford to pay for live crawfish to be imported legally then they should be allowed to. The only things to do with crawfish is sell them and EAT THEM. How many local Colorado crawfish are being sold and eaten?
A lot of Texas folks live in and visit Colorado, who likely appreciate the Cuisine of Crawfish. I'm certain there are not many businesses that entertain live crawfish, so it's not likely to be an environmental burden on State. It would cost much to raise foreign crawfish in Colorado to sell, even if they have a natural hot spring that won't boil them in the first place.
I think red swamp crayfish should be allowed. Crayfish have grown in popularity over the years and it seems like more and more people are having crayfish boils. Not only it would add more people to the wilderness to try to catch these crayfish for personal consumption but it'll also increase food supply for surrounding wildlife as well.
I would need to know more about the regional environmental impacts, how many, where, etc., before committing to an answer. Will this affect sculpin populations in some areas? Can it balance or be controlled? If so, then my first impression is that I believe it might be a good thing, especially if it could even help native species, or control other invasive species. Residents and tourists would likely be very excited about it.
Yes, we want our LA crawfish! I promise not to release any, too good to let them go! Thank you!
People who are purchasing Louisiana crawfish aren't spending that type of money to introduce a species that won't survive in our cold waters... we're purchasing them to introduce them into our belly... they are an amazing delicacy and the notion that anyone would do anything less than eat them is ridiculous. I say let them be sold and transported to our state for consumption
Absolutely NOT in favor of changing the current regulation. Anytime an exotic, non-native species is imported live there is a chance of it escaping captivity and establishing a wild population.
I'm a huge advocate for the importation of crawfish to the state of colorado. For those of us that have developed a taste over the years. It is a cultural thing at this point. As has been stated by multiple other people. When purchasing crawfish in the state of Colorado people are willing to spend two three or even four times market price in Louisiana Mississippi just to be able to eat the crawfish. No one is going to be releasing those bugs that they spent eight or nine dollars a pound for.
Also it bears questioning why it is acceptable for restaurants to do it and not for the general public. There are numerous restaurants in the Denver metro that sell live crawfish.
Here is the question, 1.are we talking about allowig just the import of "Red crayfish" for compsumption (already happening) or introducing red crayfish into our waters? 2.If so what impact would that have to our ecosystem (fish and other species) 3. If there is no impact to our ecosystem I'm down if there is why ate contemplating the introduction?.
I love the idea but I love what colorado has to offer from our wild live etc etc, we have seen what happened in other states like Florida when other species were introduced illegally or legally the outcome is the same. We should be better informed before just making a decision on a want and make an intelligent well informed decision.
Best regards!
My family is from Louisiana and having a crawfish boil is part of our culture. It brings the family together. Being able to purchase them for consumption would be greatly appreciated.
Please make Crawfish legal to bring into the state of CO. From Louisiana and other places. We love our crawfish boils.
Please bring crawfish to Colorado!!!!! I’m so tired of paying outrageous prices to get a taste of home.
I am a military member from Louisiana and love having a little piece of home and enjoying the get togethers with friends and boil a sack or two of crawfish. I know that no one will pay what we do for live crawfish just to release them into the local waterways
Importation of this species has been happening for decades. If there is a cat, its already out of the bag. And, they will continue to flow in regardless of CPW enforcement. So kinda like cannabis, you know?
As a Louisiana transplant willing to pay 2-3x the Louisiana price in order to share a bit of my culture with my Colorado friends and neighbors, I can assure you with very high confidence that not one live crawfish is going to walk away.
Also, in all of this controversy, I’ve yet to see/hear anyone cite a single study that suggests exactly what irreparable harm the red crawfish would cause were it to proliferate.
Hello CPW
In regards the the sale of Louisiana Crawfish to private individuals (residents) of Colorado. I think it should be allowed, as the crawfish are being sold for consumption. I have been purchasing the crawfish for several years and never have I ever thought of releasing them into our lakes or waterways, they taste to good to do that, as this is the argument for the crawfish not being sold here.
If not allowed this will cripple the business of small entrepreneurs, trying to make a living.
With all do respect, please consider your decision carefully, and don’t deprive residents Colorado this food, for some of us it is to costly to go to a Resturant setting, being able to purchase crawfish directly make it affordable for all.
Again thank you for your consideration in this matter and please allow the sale of Louisiana Crawfish in our Great State of Colorado!!
Yes please allow the sale of imported Louisiana crawfish, those who buy them are eating them. Nothing like a good boil!
As someone from Louisiana I feel like I should be able to eat them here and not have to go all the way home to get Louisiana crawfish. Chinese crawfish are awful. Also if they are imported or transported they're usually always being boiled and eaten. I don't think they're going to get into our waterways and affect the ecosystem it's not a valid point.
A good boil is a wonderful thing. Colorado needs to allow the import of the red swamp crayfish. Allowing a restaurant to buy live and sell, but not allow entrepreneurs to sell to the general public creates somewhat of a monopolistic environment.
As many have said before people are not.buyung them to release they are bought for consumption. The cold lakes and streams would not support them. Procambarus clarkii cannot survive freezing conditions in air, water or burrows. (Hunter and barr 1991).
CPW needs to change regulations on this species.
Many in my family are Louisiana transplants that have been in Colorado from 15-40+ years. We have always enjoyed a good crawfish boil and really enjoy introducing the tradition to our Colorado friends and family. At every occasion, it has truly been enjoyed by all. It has never come to mind to release crawfish into Colorado’s ecosystem since this is purely for consumption only. Us along with so many other families that call Colorado home would truly appreciate your consideration in legalizing the sale for consumption of Louisiana Crawfish. Kindest regards.
These delicious delicacies should be aloud to be imported and sold for consumption.