AS OF MAY 1 2026 IT WILL BE LEGAL TO BUY, SELL, TRADE, GIFT AND KEEP CAPTIVE BRED PLAINS/WESTERN HOGNOSE SNAKES and other colubrids including corn/king/milksnakes. (No other hognose species allowed except Heterodon nasicus).

Contingencies:

a) you must keep proof of it being captive bred (receipt of purchase if bought in state, and health certificate (CVI) and receipt if bought from out of state). If the snake is every given/sold the documentation must accompany the animal.

b) if you buy a snake from a non Colorado based breeder/shop/expo, the seller must get a health certificate/CVI (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) from a veterinarian. If the animal has to cross state lines into CO it needs a CVI. The CVI is good for 30 days after it is issued. The vet who issues the CVI will submit it to your state’s Dept of Agriculture who will in turn send it to the CO Dept of Agriculture. A copy of the CVI must be sent with the snake if shipping or accompany all the snakes if vending. Noted CVI forms 7001 and clinic certificates are not accepted by CO Department of Agriculture.

c) You can no longer collect/take any plains hognose from the wild in the state of CO

d) any hoggie already in possession in the state of CO must get a legacy permit from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

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BREEDERS who want to vend in CO must obtain a CVI for each animal brought into the state.