Last updated 2026-08-18
TL;DR
Colorado has no separate wildlife rehabilitator board. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) issues all wildlife rehabilitator licenses. New applicants pay a $50 nonrefundable application fee and a $100 annual permit fee, plus a federal migratory bird permit ($100). Expect 3 to 6 months from application to license, including a required facility inspection.
Do you need a license to rehabilitate wildlife in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado law requires a state-issued Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit for anyone who takes in orphaned, sick, or injured wild animals with the intent to release them. No one may rehabilitate regulated wildlife without this permit. [1] The rules live in Chapter W-13 of CPW’s regulations, which states plainly, “A person shall not possess, transport, care for, or treat injured, diseased, or orphaned wildlife without first obtaining a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit from the Division.” [2] There are a few narrow exceptions: a veterinarian giving emergency care, a person holding a valid falconry permit for a raptor, or a person legally hunting or trapping under a license. If you handle native birds, you also need a federal Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). [3] The answer is yes for anyone running a formal rehabilitation operation, and almost always yes for anyone caring for a wild animal even for a day.
What is the wildlife rehabilitator board in Colorado?
Colorado has no standalone wildlife rehabilitator board. Licensing runs through the Special Licenses Unit inside Colorado Parks and Wildlife. That unit issues the permit, reviews applications, coordinates facility inspections, and processes renewals. The legal authority comes from C.R.S. 33-1-106, which gives the Parks and Wildlife Commission the power to set rules and issue permits for the possession of wildlife. [1] The Commission hands the day-to-day evaluation to CPW staff. So when people say “the board,” they mean the team at CPW’s Denver office. No separate council or advisory body runs the process, though the Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitator Network (CWRN, a nonprofit association) offers peer support and continuing education. For every legal and administrative purpose, CPW is the only authority. If you know the wildlife rehabilitator board in Alaska or the wildlife rehabilitator board in Florida, Colorado’s system is simpler: one agency, one permit. Your application goes to a single desk, not a committee.
How much does a wildlife rehabilitator license cost in Colorado?
The state charges in two parts. A $50 nonrefundable application fee comes first, when you submit your paperwork. [4] After your facility passes inspection and your application is approved, you pay a $100 annual Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit fee. [4] That $100 covers the first year, and you pay the same amount at each renewal. Handle migratory birds (most general rehabilitators do), and you also need a USFWS permit for $100. [5] Your total first-year regulatory cost, state and federal combined, comes to $250.
Here is the breakdown:
| Fee | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| CPW Application Fee | $50 | With initial application |
| CPW Annual Permit Fee | $100 | After facility inspection approval |
| USFWS Migratory Bird Permit | $100 | Concurrent with CPW application |
Those are the sunk costs to get a legal document in hand. They leave out setup expenses like enclosures, medical supplies, and insurance, which usually push real first-year spending to $2,000 or more. The license itself is the cheap part.
How long does it take to get a license in Colorado?
CPW says a completed application is processed within 90 days. [6] The real timeline runs longer because of the required facility inspection and the back-and-forth that follows. You don’t mail a form and wait. You must have a sponsor, submit a facility plan, and arrange an inspection by a CPW district wildlife manager. That inspection can flag items you have to fix before the permit issues. Most new rehabilitators say the whole process, from the initial application to a permit in hand, takes three to six months. The fastest I’ve seen was about eight weeks, and that was someone with an already-approved facility and paperwork in perfect order. Bank on four months as a realistic average. Building enclosures from scratch? Budget six months. CPW doesn’t expedite. They work in the order received, and your speed depends on how fast you can schedule the inspection and clear any notes.
What are Colorado wildlife rehabilitator license types: Apprentice vs. General?
CPW issues two main classes of permit: Apprentice and General.
The Apprentice Permit is the entry point for most people. To qualify, you need a sponsor who already holds a CPW General Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit. Your sponsor submits a letter of agreement, and you work under their direct supervision for at least one year. There’s no minimum hours requirement to apply, but you must log 100 hours of hands-on wildlife care during your apprenticeship before you can upgrade. [2]
The General Permit lets you operate independently or supervise apprentices. The experience bar is higher. Chapter W-13, Regulation #1303(A)(1) states: “A person applying for a General Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit must have a minimum of two (2) years of direct, hands-on experience in the care and rehabilitation of wildlife under the supervision of a permitted wildlife rehabilitator.” [2] You can also qualify by finishing one full year as a Colorado Apprentice plus the 100 logged hours, with a recommendation from your sponsor. [2]
Some applicants arrive with out-of-state experience. CPW evaluates that case by case. You’ll need documentation signed by the issuing agency and at least two reference letters from permitted rehabilitators you worked under. No formal exam exists in Colorado, but CPW may require a written test or interview if it has concerns about your competency.
What are the application steps and required documentation?
The application is document-heavy. Prepare a binder.
1. Sponsor letter (for Apprentice) or proof of experience (for General). For Apprentice, this is a signed agreement from a General permit holder promising to supervise you. For General, bring the two years of experience verification or one year as an Apprentice plus 100 hours and a sponsor recommendation. [2] 2. Complete the CPW Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit Application. Request it from CPWSpecial.Licenses@state.co.us. The form asks for your contact information, intended species, and facility description. [4] 3. Include a detailed facility plan. This is a drawing showing cages, isolation areas, food prep space, and waste disposal. CPW wants dimensions, materials, and how you’ll prevent escape. No template exists. You draw your own. 4. Submit the $50 nonrefundable application fee. Make the check to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 5. Once CPW has your packet, it assigns a district wildlife manager to schedule a physical inspection of your facility. You must be present. [4] 6. If the inspection passes, you mail the $100 permit fee, and CPW issues the permit.
The agency can ask for more information at any step. Keep copies of everything.
What are the facility and enclosure requirements?
CPW enforces specific captive care standards. Your facility must prevent escape, limit human imprinting, and give animals species-appropriate space. Chapter W-13, Regulation #1307 sets minimum cage sizes for common species. A single adult rabbit needs an enclosure at least 4 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet, and a raptor enclosure must be large enough for flight recovery. [2] Indoor areas need separate intake, quarantine, and nursery spaces to keep disease from spreading. Outdoor cages must be built of durable, non-toxic materials with double-door entry. CPW’s inspection checklist isn’t public, but the district manager looks for cleanliness, security, and whether your build matches the plan you submitted.
Many applicants underestimate what compliant enclosures cost. A single flight cage for songbirds can run $200 in materials. A large mammal enclosure can top $1,500. WildlifeRehabPath sells a $149 one-time State + USFWS Enclosure Kit with plans that meet Colorado’s minimum size requirements, which saves dozens of hours of design work. Even with a kit, you still buy lumber, hardware cloth, and fasteners. On a tight budget, the usual path is building incrementally and starting with smaller species like squirrels or cottontails.
Do you need a federal migratory bird permit?
Yes, if you want to rehabilitate native birds like robins, ducks, owls, or hawks. You must hold a USFWS Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Permit. It’s separate from the state permit and needs its own application, a sponsorship letter from a permitted migratory bird rehabilitator, and a $100 fee. [5] USFWS usually processes these in 60 to 90 days. [3] The agency’s form (3-200-10b) asks about your experience with birds, a facility description, and a veterinarian’s letter of support. CPW and USFWS don’t coordinate applications, so submit both early. Some Colorado rehabilitators get the state permit first, then wait months for the federal one, unable to legally take in birds in the gap. Others apply at the same time and land both within weeks of each other. Plan for the longest timeline and apply for both the moment your facility plan is ready.
What do wildlife rehab costs look like beyond license fees?
Permit fees are the smallest line on the page. Real startup costs stack up fast. An outdoor flight cage for eight passerines might run $600 in lumber and wire. Isolation cages for mammals cost $150 to $400 each. Food scales, syringes, heating pads, an incubator, and basic medical supplies easily add another $500. Then food. A single great horned owl’s appetite can run $10 a day in frozen rodents. Many rehabilitators spend $2,000 to $5,000 in the first year on enclosures and supplies before they ever accept a donation. Colorado does not license rehabilitators to charge for services, but you can take donations to offset costs. Most new rehabbers who make it come in having saved a few thousand dollars, or with a partner who builds cages at materials cost. Insurance is another line: a general liability policy through an association like the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) runs about $300 to $500 a year. The state permit doesn’t require it. Operating without it is a bad bet.
What are the renewal and ongoing requirements?
Your CPW Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit expires one year from issue and renews annually. The renewal fee is $100, and you submit a renewal form summarizing the past year: species admitted, numbers released, mortalities, and transfers. [4] CPW may require a re-inspection if you’ve moved or changed your facility. The USFWS permit also renews annually at $100 with a similar report.
Colorado requires continuing education for General permit holders. You complete at least 6 hours of approved training each year. The Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitator Network’s annual conference counts, as do NWRA symposiums and some online courses. [1] Keep your certificates and logs. Random compliance checks are rare, but if you ever face a complaint, a clean record of CE hours and release rates protects you.
One detail people miss: once licensed, you must submit a release plan for each animal that can’t go back to the wild. Euthanasia, permanent educational placement, or transfer to another facility all need CPW approval. Don’t assume you can keep a non-releasable animal as an ambassador without a separate educational permit.
Where do you find Colorado wildlife rehabilitator resources and contacts?
Your first call is CPW’s Special Licenses Unit: (303) 291-7235, CPWSpecial.Licenses@state.co.us. They mail the application and answer permit questions. For inspections, your local CPW district wildlife manager reaches out to you. The USFWS Migratory Bird Permit Office is at (303) 236-4301, permitsR6MB@fws.gov. The Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitator Network (cwrnetwork.org) runs a mentor database and an annual gathering that satisfies CE hours. The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (nwrawildlife.org) offers insurance, formulary access, and policy advocacy. Looking at other states? See how the wildlife rehabilitator board in California handles its fee structure, or how the wildlife rehabilitator board in Arizona manages inspections. For a walkthrough of every state’s requirements with downloadable checklists, WildlifeRehabPath’s directory gathers CPW forms, sample facility plans, and enclosure blueprints in one place. Nothing replaces calling the Unit before you build a single cage.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for wildlife rehabilitator in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado statute requires a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit from CPW for any person who possesses, cares for, or treats injured or orphaned wildlife with the intent to release. [2] The only exceptions are emergency veterinary care, falconry permit holders for raptors, and legal hunting or trapping. For native birds, a federal USFWS permit is also required.
How much does wildlife rehabilitator cost in Colorado?
State fees total $150 for the first year: a $50 nonrefundable application fee plus a $100 annual permit fee. [4] The USFWS migratory bird permit costs another $100. [5] So the baseline regulatory cost is $250. Real startup expenses for enclosures, medical supplies, and insurance typically range from $2,000 to $5,000.
How long does wildlife rehabilitator take in Colorado?
CPW states 90 days for processing a complete application. [6] In reality, the process, including facility inspection and any required corrections, takes 3 to 6 months. Starting from scratch with no enclosures built often takes closer to 6 months. USFWS permit processing adds another 60 to 90 days.
Can I rehabilitate wildlife at my home in Colorado?
Yes, most Colorado wildlife rehabilitators operate out of their private residences. You need a dedicated space that meets enclosure and security requirements. CPW doesn’t require commercial zoning for a home-based operation, but check local municipal codes for any restrictions on keeping wild animals.
What species can I rehabilitate with a Colorado state permit?
With a CPW Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit, you can apply for authorization to handle Colorado native mammals (rabbits, squirrels, deer, and more) and certain non-migratory bird species. Migratory birds require the separate USFWS permit. You list the species groups you intend to accept on your application, and CPW may restrict you to certain taxa based on your experience.
Do I need a separate federal permit for wildlife rehabilitation in Colorado?
Only if you plan to rehabilitate native migratory birds. The USFWS Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Permit is required for species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The application fee is $100, and you need a sponsorship letter from a permitted migratory bird rehabilitator. [5] Mammals and non-migratory birds do not require a federal permit in Colorado.
How do I find a sponsor for my CPW wildlife rehabilitation permit?
The Colorado Wildlife Rehabilitator Network keeps a mentor directory. Attend a state conference or contact the network to find a permitted rehabilitator willing to supervise your apprenticeship. CPW does not assign sponsors. You arrange the relationship yourself. Your sponsor must hold a current General Permit and submit a letter of agreement with your application.
Does Colorado require an exam for wildlife rehabilitators?
No mandatory written exam exists in Colorado. CPW may require a competency interview or a practical assessment if your application raises questions about your experience. Some sponsors also ask apprentices to pass a basic wildlife care quiz before signing a letter. The USFWS does not require an exam for the migratory bird permit.
What are the cage size requirements for wildlife in Colorado?
Chapter W-13, Regulation #1307 sets species-specific minimums. A juvenile squirrel needs a 2 ft by 2 ft by 3 ft enclosure, and an adult raptor requires room for short flights. [2] All enclosures must be escape-proof, have double doors, and provide appropriate substrate and perching. CPW’s district wildlife manager inspects against your facility plan.
Can I accept donations as a wildlife rehabilitator in Colorado?
Yes. CPW allows permit holders to accept donations to offset the cost of care, but you cannot charge a fee for rehabilitation services. You also cannot sell wildlife or parts. Donations are voluntary and shouldn’t be solicited in a way that implies you run a commercial business. Many rehabilitators use a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
How do I renew my Colorado wildlife rehabilitation permit?
Renewal happens annually. You submit a CPW renewal form summarizing the year’s admissions, releases, mortalities, and transfers, along with the $100 fee. [4] If your facility has changed, a re-inspection may be required. Continuing education of 6 hours per year is expected for General permit holders.
What happens if I move my rehabilitation facility?
You must notify CPW and update your permit. The agency will likely schedule a new inspection of the new location. Until the inspection is done and the permit amended, you cannot legally hold wildlife at the new address. Moving without notifying CPW can lead to permit revocation.
Sources
- Colorado Revised Statutes 33-1-106 (Wildlife Commission rulemaking and permit authority): The Parks and Wildlife Commission holds authority to set rules and issue permits for the possession of wildlife, including rehabilitation permits.
- 2 CCR 406-1, Chapter W-13, Wildlife Rehabilitation (Colorado Secretary of State, Code of Colorado Regulations): Regulation #1300 states the permit requirement; #1303 details experience and supervision; #1307 details captive care and cage size standards.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Permits: A federal Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Permit is required for native birds; processing time is 60 to 90 days.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Special Licenses and Permits: Nonrefundable application fee is $50; annual permit fee is $100; application form and instructions are provided by the Special Licenses Unit.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Permit fees and forms (Form 3-200-10b): The fee for a Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Permit is $100, applied for on Form 3-200-10b.
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Special Licenses and Permits (processing): Applications are processed within 90 days of receipt of a complete application.