Bill
SB 25-053
Colorado designates wild bison as wildlife/big game; hunting is banned unless CPW authorizes it, with new licensing and CPW management of wild bison entering the state.
Summary (purpose)
- Classifies the American bison (Bos bison / Bison bison) as wildlife and as “big game” in Colorado law unless the animal is privately owned livestock or is lawfully held in captivity by a tribe. The change makes hunting or taking wild bison illegal unless specifically authorized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
- The bill includes a legislative declaration recognizing the cultural and historical importance of bison to American Indian and Tribal Nations.
Key provisions and statutory changes
- Definitions: Adds a statutory definition of “bison” and amends the definitions of “wildlife” and “big game” to include bison that are wildlife. Exempts privately owned bison, bison that have escaped lawful captivity, and bison owned or lawfully reduced to captivity by Indian tribes.
- Hunting/possession: Hunting, taking, or possessing bison that are wildlife is prohibited unless authorized by CPW/commission rule.
- Penalties:
- Unlawful possession/taking of bison is an unclassified misdemeanor: fine of $1,000–$100,000, up to 364 days in county jail, or both, plus license-suspension consequences.
- An additional civil monetary penalty of $10,000 may be assessed for each bison illegally taken (added to the criminal penalties schedule).
- CPW may bring civil actions to recover possession or the value of unlawfully taken bison.
- Licensing: The statute adds fees for bison licenses (resident: $374.22; nonresident: $2,756.74), enabling a licensing structure if CPW authorizes take under rule.
- Management authorities: When bison enter the state as wild animals, CPW will manage them as wildlife, including integrating bison into existing wildlife management tools (population assessment, game-damage compensation, Habitat Partnership Program projects, etc.).
Who is affected
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife / Department of Natural Resources: new management responsibilities for wild bison entering Colorado.
- Hunters and recreational users: hunting of wild bison is restricted except by CPW authorization; new license category/fees established.
- Private bison owners and livestock producers: privately owned bison remain classified as livestock and are exempt; owners may be affected if animals escape or interact with wild bison.
- Tribal nations: bison owned or lawfully held by tribes are exempt from the wildlife classification.
- Local governments and courts: potential (but expected minimal) increases in misdemeanor filings and local fine revenue for illegal taking.
Fiscal and administrative impacts
- Appropriation: The bill directs and includes a one-time appropriation of $75,000 from the Wildlife Cash Fund to the Department of Natural Resources for FY 2025‑26.
- Estimated CPW costs:
- FY 2025‑26: $75,000 total (one‑time $50,000 consultant for range assessment; $25,000 for aerial surveys).
- FY 2026‑27 and ongoing: $25,000 annually for aerial surveys and monitoring.
- Potential future costs (game-damage compensation, habitat projects) may be requested through the normal budget process; fiscal notes expect these to be addressed later as baseline data is collected.
- Criminal-justice impacts: Legislative staff expect minimal increases in case filings/convictions and no material state/local justice-cost impacts.
Timeline and procedural status
- Introduced: January 15, 2025.
- Enacted: Signed by the Governor on May 22, 2025.
- Effective date: January 1, 2026 (unless a referendum petition is filed).
- The bill was recommended by the American Indian Affairs Interim Study Committee and proceeded through Senate and House committees without substantive fiscal changes.
Sponsors and cosponsors (selected)
- Primary sponsors: Senator Jessie Danielson; Representatives Junie Joseph and Elizabeth Velasco.
- Multiple senate and house cosponsors across the 2025 session.
Practical effect
- Wild bison entering Colorado will be managed as state wildlife and protected from unauthorized hunting; CPW will begin baseline monitoring and habitat assessment and may develop permitting or management plans (including limited authorized take or licensing) under its existing rulemaking authority.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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