Colorado falconry license
Checked 2026-11-03 against official sources — see the links at the bottom. General guidance only; always confirm with the state agency before you apply.
First-year fees
Ask the agency — CPW does not publish a falconry license fee schedule
Confirm current fees with CPW Special Licensing before applying.
Exam & minimum age
Exam: 100 questions, 80% to pass. Two-hour exam at CPW offices — true/false, multiple choice and short answers on falconry practices, raptor biology/ecology and regulations. Schedule through CPW Special Licensing.
Minimum age: 12 — Applicants must be at least 12 and a Colorado resident (six consecutive months) at application.
Classes: Apprentice → General → Master
Birds by class & trapping
A two-year apprenticeship under a Colorado General (3+ years at level) or Master falconer is mandatory before General; General requires age 16+, Master follows five years at General. Limited-take quotas: ferruginous hawk 4, resident peregrine 4, nonresident raptor take 20.
Ferruginous hawk limited take season May 1 – Sep 30 (unrestricted Oct 1 – Jan 31; 24-hour capture report). Resident peregrine take Jun 1 – Aug 31 by drawing (applications March – April 1). Nonresident take Oct 1 – Dec 31 by drawing (applications in August).
Notes from the official sources
Nonresident visitors need a Nonresident Falconry License or Nonresident Small Game License plus a Raptor Importation License; a Nonresident Take License covers wild capture. 3-186A reports go to the federal database.
Official sources for this page
Regulations change. Verify every figure against these sources and the agency's current rules before you rely on it.
Getting geared up in Colorado?
Most states' equipment inspection lists overlap heavily — Aylmeri jesses, a weathering-resistant leash and swivel, a bath pan, a weathering perch and a graduated scale. Build a list matched to your class and climate with the equipment checklist builder, or print the start-up equipment checklist for your mews inspection visit. Comparing neighboring states? Back to the full state matrix.