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, or import permit 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 breeder/shop/expo the seller must get a health certificate (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection otherwise known as a CVI) from a veterinarian. The CVI must be submitted to the Colorado Department of Agriculture and a permit issued before it is moved/shipped into Colorado. The Vet usually is the one to contact Dept of Ag to get the permit number and submit their CVI to them. The health certificate with permit number on it must be in the shipping box with the snake when shipped.

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.

e) an import permit is good for 30 days from time of issuance.

BREEDERS who want to vend in CO must follow the same requirements to bring any snakes into the state for sale.