Reptile and Amphibian Regulations

CPW is considering updating current regulations related to reptiles and amphibians. Staff are seeking feedback from the public and stakeholders to inform potential regulatory changes.

Background and Current Regulations

CPW is responsible for managing approximately 70 species of herpetofauna, reptiles & amphibians in Colorado. Division staff, in collaboration with partners, monitor reptile and amphibian populations and determine conservation priorities, including as part of the State Wildlife Action Plan.

CPW regulations also dictate which wildlife species, including reptiles and amphibians, may be kept by the general public. Regulations found in Chapter W-11 classify animals as regulated wildlife, unregulated wildlife, or domesticated animals. Unregulated wildlife and domesticated animals listed in Chapter W-11 are exempt from many CPW regulations and may be kept by the public. Regulated wildlife include species that are native to the state of Colorado. Members of the public are prohibited from keeping regulated herptile species, with exceptions for special license recipients (e.g., commercial wildlife parks) and for the collection of select species of reptiles and amphibians.

Regulations in Chapter W-10 allow for the collection and possession of some reptile and amphibian species from the wild. There are presently 17 species that may be collected with limitations on the number of animals that may be collected annually (4 individuals of each species) and the number of animals possessed in the aggregate at any time (12 individuals total). Regulations prohibit collected animals from being sold, traded, or bartered and there are restrictions on releasing a collected animal back into the wild.

What Changes are Being Considered

CPW staff are considering potential revisions and clarifications to reptile and amphibian regulations. Staff are also assessing how relevant policies are communicated to the public and the location of applicable provisions within CPW regulations.

Recent concerns over herptile declines tied to increased trade and illegal trafficking prompted CPW staff to specifically consider the collection of wild reptiles and amphibians allowed in regulation and to develop alternatives for revised collection regulations. Public and stakeholder feedback on the collection regulation alternatives will inform CPW’s staff recommendation that will be presented to the PWC in 2026.

Other suggested changes to reptile and amphibian regulations raised through citizen petitions or other channels may also be considered during the development of regulatory recommendations.

Learn More and Get Involved

Interested members of the public are encouraged to learn more and provide feedback during a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 6:00pm MT. Please REGISTER HERE to attend the virtual webinar meeting. A recording of the meeting will also be available on this page.

Following the October 7th virtual meeting, members of the public will also have an opportunity to provide feedback on reptile and amphibian regulations and collection alternatives to CPW staff through a feedback form that will be available on this page. Feedback must be submitted through the form by the deadline of November 6, 2025.

Additionally, CPW staff will convene stakeholders and technical experts for a discussion of this topic. Stakeholder input, as well as feedback provided by members of the public through the feedback form, will be considered as CPW develops staff recommendations that will be presented to the PWC in 2026.