Governor Polis Signs Wildlife Trafficking Bill, Strengthening Protections for Colorado Wildlife

Travis Duncan
Public Information Supervisor
720-595-8294 / [email protected]

DENVER – On Monday, June 2, Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 25-168, a new law that gives Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) expanded authority to combat wildlife trafficking. The bill strengthens penalties for traffickers, supports law enforcement capacity, and improves data collection on illegal activity threatening Colorado’s native wildlife.

SB25-168 was a priority bill for CPW and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources during the 2025 legislative session. It targets illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife parts—an issue that often crosses state and international borders. The law also addresses gaps in CPW’s ability to enforce trafficking violations involving lower-profile species, such as reptiles and fish.

“Colorado’s lack of comprehensive data on wildlife trafficking has made it difficult to fully understand and respond to the threats facing our native species,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “This law gives CPW the authority and tools to support federal efforts and protect Colorado’s biodiversity.”

The legislation expands CPW’s ability to investigate and prosecute trafficking-specific activity, not just illegal possession or sale. It also equips officers to respond to trafficking of both native and non-native species being moved through or into Colorado.

“Because of this legislation—and the hard work of our staff, partners, and bill sponsors—CPW can now better disrupt the growing black market for wildlife,” said CPW Director Jeff Davis. 

“Until now, CPW could only address trafficking in limited ways,” said CPW Chief of Law Enforcement Ty Petersburg. “This bill changes that. It allows us to enforce trafficking violations more broadly, across a wide range of species.”

"It is past time for Colorado to strengthen our enforcement of illegal wildlife trafficking and I am very glad that this important bipartisan bill is becoming law,” said State Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco. “By making these improvements to our enforcement, penalties, and data collection, we will give CPW and law enforcement more tools to crack down against those that illegally kill and remove wildlife from our state."

“I’m really excited to be a part of this Legislative effort to protect Colorado’s Endangered Species. Protecting Colorado’s natural resources aligns perfectly with my goals for Colorado,” said State Senator Scott Bright, R-Platteville.

“I am glad to be part of legislation that expands CPW’s ability to investigate and prosecute trafficking-specific activity, not just illegal possession or sale. It also equips officers to respond to trafficking of both native and non-native species being moved through or into Colorado,” said State Representative Cecelia Espenoza, D-Denver.

“I’m happy to pass a bill that not only provides a deterrent for criminal trafficking organizations operating in and through Colorado, but also protects our Colorado wildlife and habitats,” said State Representative Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud.
 
Key Provisions of SB25-168:

• Strengthens CPW enforcement authority specific to wildlife trafficking and creates additional investigative positions specific to wildlife trafficking in Colorado
• Enhances penalties regarding wildlife trafficking; including a Class 4 felony for trafficking $10,000 worth of wildlife, or Threatened and Endangered species or CITES Appendix I species
• Improves data collection and inter-agency collaboration by creating position specifically designated to collecting biological and population data about Colorado’s reptiles
• Targets both native and non-native species involved in trafficking
• Helps protect ecosystems from harmful species introductions and illegal commercialization