All Roll Calls
Yes: 118 • No: 15
ColoradoSB25-1682025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Prevention of Wildlife Trafficking
Sponsored By: Cecelia Espenoza (Democratic), Dylan Roberts (Democratic), Ryan Armagost, Scott Bright (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Crimes, Corrections, & EnforcementNatural Resources & Environment
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 1 mixed.
Destroying protected wildlife brings felony penalties
Beginning July 1, 2026, willfully destroying covered wildlife is a class 5 felony. Covered wildlife includes big game, eagles, and state- or federally listed endangered or threatened species. A conviction carries a $1,000–$20,000 fine, 20 wildlife-license points, and license suspension for one year to life.
Higher penalties for illegal wildlife possession
Beginning July 1, 2026, illegal possession of state- or federally listed endangered or threatened wildlife carries fines of $2,000–$100,000 per animal. Fines are $1,000–$100,000 for eagles, Rocky Mountain goats, desert bighorn sheep, American peregrine falcons, and international treaty Appendix I species. A conviction also carries 20 wildlife-license points, possible jail time up to one year, and possible license suspension for one year to life. Federally authorized possession of eagle parts remains lawful.
Illegal wildlife sellers face felony penalties
Beginning July 1, 2026, illegally selling big game, eagles, or state- or federally listed endangered or threatened wildlife is a class 5 felony. After conviction, the wildlife commission can suspend any or all wildlife license privileges for one year to life.
Wildlife traffickers face felonies and costs
Beginning July 1, 2026, compensated wildlife trafficking includes knowingly possessing, selling, buying, transporting, importing, or exporting wildlife during one criminal episode. The person must know, or have reason to know, the wildlife was handled illegally under state, federal, tribal, or foreign law. Usually a class 1 misdemeanor, trafficking becomes a class 5 felony above $1,000 but below $10,000 in total wildlife value. It becomes a class 4 felony at $10,000 or more, or for state- or federally listed endangered or threatened species or international treaty Appendix I species. Value is the higher of market value or the statutory minimum; conviction requires license suspension for five years to life. Convicted people may also owe uncapped housing, care, or disposal costs for seized wildlife, including costs incurred before charges.
Illegal wildlife taking brings civil bills
Beginning July 1, 2026, Colorado Parks and Wildlife can sue to recover unlawfully taken wildlife, its value, or both. Minimum values are $1,000 each for eagles, endangered animals, specified big-game animals, or lynx. The minimum is $700 each for elk or threatened species or subspecies; higher market values can apply. Courts can order the wildlife returned without requiring the state to post a bond.
Wildlife case defendants get awarded payments
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Wildlife Cash Fund pays court-awarded costs or damages favoring defendants in wildlife recovery cases. A defendant receives payment only when the court awards it. The law sets no award amount.
Wildlife enforcement funding has source limits
Colorado Parks and Wildlife must study commonly trafficked wildlife populations, locations, and ecology to guide conservation and enforcement. It must also post international treaty Appendix I species online and make the list available at its offices. Lawmakers must provide enough Wildlife Cash Fund money to implement the trafficking section, but cannot use hunting or fishing license revenue or associated federal grants. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. If a referendum petition is filed within 90 days after the 2025 session ends, voter approval in November 2026 is required instead. In that case, the law takes effect upon the governor’s official declaration of the vote.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Cecelia Espenoza
Democratic • House
Dylan Roberts
Democratic • Senate
Ryan Armagost
Affiliation unavailable
Scott Bright
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Amy Paschal
Democratic • House
Brianna Titone
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Karen McCormick
Democratic • House
Lesley Smith
Democratic • House
Michael Carter
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Meghan Lukens
Democratic • House
Rep. S. Bird
Affiliation unavailable
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Dafna Michaelson Jenet
Democratic • Senate
Sen. F. Winter
Affiliation unavailable
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/25/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 53 • No: 10
House vote • 4/24/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-168 to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 9 • No: 2
House vote • 4/21/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-168 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 11 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 31 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/11/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-168 to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Refer Senate Bill 25-168, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
6/2/2025HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
5/6/2025SenateSent to the Governor
5/6/2025HouseSigned by the Speaker of the House
5/6/2025HouseHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/25/2025HouseHouse Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
4/24/2025HouseHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
4/24/2025HouseHouse Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to Appropriations
4/21/2025HouseSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/14/2025SenateIntroduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
4/14/2025HouseSenate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
4/11/2025SenateSenate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
4/11/2025SenateSenate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Appropriations
3/6/2025SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources
2/19/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Signed Act