2016 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 33 - Parks and Wildlife
Wildlife
Article 1 - Wildlife - General Provisions
§ 33-1-115. Migratory birds - possession of raptors - reciprocal agreements

(1) The open season for all migratory game birds in the state of Colorado shall be the same as that fixed, or as may be fixed, under the administrative provisions of the federal "Migratory Bird Treaty Act", secs. 703 to 711 of title 16, U.S.C., as amended. Any change made by the United States department of the interior, fish and wildlife service, or any new ruling made by the secretary of the interior under said act which is applicable to the state of Colorado shall be in effect in the state of Colorado and shall be enforced by the division. The term "migratory birds" includes birds defined as such under the administrative provisions of said "Migratory Bird Treaty Act" and regulations adopted pursuant to the provisions of said act.

(2) (a) The commission shall issue licenses in accordance with its regulations to permit the possession of raptors for falconry and captive breeding purposes and to encourage individual efforts to propagate the species. The commission shall actively pursue the establishment of reciprocal agreements with other states and Canada as a signatory to the "Migratory Bird Treaty Act", which agreements shall allow for the taking, use, and transportation of raptors from each respective area by qualified and licensed applicants.

(b) Applicants from other states or Canadian provinces or territories which are signatories to the "Migratory Bird Treaty Act" and have reciprocal raptor agreements with Colorado may obtain nonthreatened raptors in reasonable numbers commensurate with raptor populations within this state. The commission may issue nonresident take licenses to such applicants, and the fees for such licenses shall be equivalent to the fees for comparable licenses in the states, provinces, or territories with which Colorado holds such agreements.

(c) It is the intent of the general assembly for the commission to make the rules of this state conform to or be more stringent than the provisions of the "Migratory Bird Treaty Act", as amended, and the "Endangered Species Act of 1973", as amended. These rules may include, but not be limited to, captive breeding and the use of domestic captive bred raptors and the purchase, sale, transportation, importation, exportation, or exchange of raptors with persons having like licenses.

(3) Repealed.