Colorado § 33-6-203 - General prohibition - penalties.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 33-6-203 — General prohibition - penalties., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 33-6-203. General prohibition - penalties.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this part 2, it is unlawful to take wildlife with any leghold trap, any instant kill body-gripping design trap, or by poison or snare in the state of Colorado. Penalties shall be as provided in section 33-6-109 unless a different penalty is specifically provided in this part 2.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this part 2, any person who attempts to take wildlife using any leghold trap, instant kill body-gripping design trap, poison, or snare commits a petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of forty dollars and is assessed four license suspension points.
(3) An owner or lessee of private property or an employee of such owner or lessee, as such terms are defined and used in sections 33-6-207 and 33-6-208, who takes wildlife using any leghold trap, instant kill body-gripping design trap, poison, or snare on such private property under circumstances that give rise to the exemption set forth in section 33-6-207 (1) but without complying with the notice and certification requirements of section 33-6-208 (1)(c) commits a petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of twenty-five dollars; except that, upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, the fine shall be fifty dollars.
(4) Any person convicted of violating subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall be subject to twice the applicable penalty if the offense occurred pursuant to an unlawful entry onto the privately owned or leased property of another.
Source: L. 97: Entire part added, p. 1066, § 1, effective May 27. L. 2021: (2) and (3) amended, (SB 21-271), ch. 462, p. 3261, § 562, effective March 1, 2022.
ANNOTATION
This section does not expressly or implicitly create a private cause of action and therefore a non-state plaintiff lacks standing to enforce it. Additionally, this section expressly does not apply to rodents, including prairie dogs. Prairie Dog Advocates v. City of Lakewood, 20 P.3d 1203 (Colo. App. 2000).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 33-6-203
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 33-6-203 cover?
Section 33-6-203 ("General prohibition - penalties.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 33-6-203?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 33-6-203" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 33-6-203 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.