(1) It is unlawful for any person to transport or to export any wildlife or portion thereof within or from this state except in accordance with the rules or regulations of the commission.
It is unlawful for any person to import any live wildlife into this state unless animportation license is obtained prior to importation, a current and valid health certificate accompanies each shipment, and such importation is in accordance with the rules and regulations of the commission.
It is unlawful for any person to release, or knowingly allow the escape of, any livenative or nonnative or exotic wildlife in Colorado except in accordance with the rules and regulations of the commission.
(3.5) This section does not apply to the transportation, importation, exportation, and release of live native or nonnative fish or viable gametes (eggs and sperm) which are governed by section 33-6-114.5.
Any person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of two hundred dollars for violations involving native wildlife and by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars for violations involving nonnative or exotic wildlife. In addition, for violations involving either native wildlife or nonnative or exotic wildlife, five license suspension points per incident may be assessed by the division against an individual's license privileges.
This section shall not apply to aquatic nuisance species, which shall be governed byarticle 10.5 of this title.
Source: L. 84: Entire article R&RE, p. 873, § 1, effective January 1, 1985. L. 90: (3) and (4) amended and (3.5) added, pp. 1529, 1531, §§ 4, 5, effective July 1. L. 2008: (5) added, p. 1588, § 3, effective May 29. L. 2019: (4) amended, (HB 19-1026), ch. 423, p. 3695, § 8, effective July 1.
Cross references: For the short title ("Respect the Great Outdoors Act") and the legislative declaration in HB 19-1026, see sections 1 and 2 of chapter 423, Session Laws of Colorado 2019.