Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Colorado requires a furbearer license to trap those species defined in #300(B) as furbearers except as provided in #303(C).  (#300 B. "Furbearers" means those species with fur having commercial value and which provide opportunities for sport harvest including mink, pine marten, badger, red fox, striped skunk, beaver, muskrat, coyote, bobcat, and raccoon.)
 
(#303(C) A small game or a furbearer license is required to take bobcat, coyote, red fox, raccoon, striped skunk. Coyotes may be taken without a license during any big game season provided that the hunter has an unfilled big game license for that season and unit. Manner of take must be the same as that of the big game license.)
 
 
License Fees
A.  Furbearer License Fee
1.  Furbearer License Fee Reduction:
In accordance with the provisions of  §33-4-102, C.R.S., the following furbearer license fees shall be reduced to the fee specified herein, from the level set forth in  §33-4-102, C.R.S.:
License Type
License Fee
Resident Furbearer
$20.00
Nonresident Furbearer
$55.00
 
Note: License fees are listed as $21 for residents and $56 for nonresidents on:
 
Licenses are valid 4/1/10 - 3/31/11 for fishing, senior fishing, small game, furbearer, combination fishing and hunting, Colorado waterfowl stamp and habitat stamps at any license agent, DOW office, online or by phone at 1-800-244-5613.
From 2009 Colorado Small Game:
 
FURBEARER LEGALMETHODS OFTAKE
1. The following methods of take are legal to hunt furbearers:
a. Any rifle, handgun, shotgun, handheld bow or crossbow.
b. Live traps, limited to cage, box or Snead-design colony traps.
2. If wildlife (except Canada lynx) is accidentally captured alive when trapping season is closed or is illegal for that species, you must release the animal immediately. You cannot kill it. If you find a dead animal in your trap, you must bring its carcass to a DOW officer or office within 5 days. Failing to do so is evidence of illegal possession of wildlife. Trappers who comply won’t be charged with illegal possession.
3. If you accidentally capture a live animal for which the trapping season is open, you must kill or release it immediately when you check the trap.
4. You must check traps at least daily. In Canada lynx recovery area or where lynx are, you must check traps every 24 hours.
5. If you accidentally capture a Canada lynx but it’s not injured, you must release it immediately and report the incident to the DOW within 24 hours. If a lynx is accidentally injured, but not in your possession, you must report it to the DOW within 24 hours. If you capture a lynx accidentally and injure it, take the lynx to the DOW or licensed veterinarian and report it to the DOW within 24 hours. If you accidentally kill a lynx, you must report it to the DOW within 24 hours and take the carcass to the DOW within 3 days after the report. Failing to follow these rules is considered unlawful take and possession. You won’t be charged if you comply with these requirements, are registered in the DOW’s lynx conservation plan or use the plan’s best management practices to avoid accidentally taking a lynx.
6. Except when legally placed on private property by permit, it is illegal to set traps or snares within 50 feet of either side of the travelled part of state or federal highways or county roads.
7. Hunting furbearers with bait is legal. When permitted, bait must be made solely of plants or animals. Bait cannot contain metal, glass, porcelain, plastic, cardboard or paper. Wildlife used as bait can be carcasses or parts of legally taken furbearers, carp, shad, white and longnose suckers, and inedible parts of legally obtained game mammals, birds or game fish.
8. Electronic calls are legal to hunt furbearers.
9. On private land, artificial light is allowed at night to hunt beavers, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, striped skunks and red foxes with permission of landowner or agent.
10. On public land, artificial light is allowed at night with permit from local district or area wildlife manager, to hunt raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, striped skunks, beavers and red foxes. Permits are valid for time and place specified.
a. Permits are not valid 24 hours before or during deer, elk, or pronghorn rifle seasons, nor opening weekend of grouse, pheasant, quail and waterfowl seasons.
b. It is illegal to hunt with a light permanently attached to a vehicle or to project light from inside a vehicle.
c. It is illegal to take furbearers within 500 yards of a dwelling, building, campground or other structure, or in areas that jeopardize human safety.
d. You must carry the permit while hunting and show it if requested by a law enforcement officer.
e. The DOW can deny a permit for management purposes.
f. Night hunting permits are not issued for bobcat on public land in Canada lynx recovery areas or where lynx are. If a bobcat hunter kills a Canada lynx during bobcat hunting season, the DOW will not issue any more night hunting permits for bobcat for the rest of the calendar year in the recovery area or where the lynx was killed. The DOW also will revoke all night hunting permits previously issued for bobcats.
11. It is illegal to destroy or damage beaver or muskrat houses, dens or dams, except to maintain water flow or prevent property damage.
Living With Wildlife
 
2009 Colorado Small Game Guide
If a wildlife conflict poses immediate danger for the animal or people in the area, call your local DOW office or law enforcement agency. Please do not call if the conflict is simply "nuisance" in nature.
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#303 - Manner of Take:
The following are legal methods of take for game species listed in this chapter. Any method of take not listed herein shall be prohibited, except as otherwise provided by Statute or Commission regulation or by 35-40-100.2-115, C.R.S.
A.  Special Conditions
1.  Contests Involving Small Game or Furbearers
a.  No person shall advertise, conduct, offer to conduct, promote or participate in any competitive event which involves:
1.The taking of any small game or furbearer species for which the daily bag or possession is unlimited, including but not limited to coyotes and prairie dogs. Provided, however, that such events are allowed if no more than five (5) of each species are taken by each participant during the entire event.
2.The taking of marked or tagged small game released as part of such contest and where money or other valuable prizes are awarded for the taking of such small game and game birds. “Valuable prizes”  shall not include certificates or other similar tokens of recognition not having any significant monetary value.
b. Commercial and noncommercial wildlife parks and field trials licensed by the Division are exempt from these provisions.
2.Thirty (30) Day Trapping Period for Livestock and Crop Protection
a. Landowners and others authorized by statute who are trapping pursuant to 33-6-207, C.R.S. must notify the Division in accordance with 33-6-208, C.R.S. All definitions and other provisions will be in accordance with 33-6-208, C.R.S, and 35-40-100.2-115, C.R.S.
3.Live Capture and Relocation
a.Unless relocation has been authorized in accordance with #304, small game and furbearers captured in live traps cannot be moved from the capture site and must be killed or released on site when the trap is checked.
b. Except as provided herein, a relocation permit is required to relocate all small game and furbearers.
1.Tree squirrels, cottontail rabbits, and raccoons trapped in cage or box traps may be relocated without a permit provided the Division has been notified in advance; the relocation site is appropriate habitat for the species; permission has been obtained from the private landowner; and relocation occurs within 10 miles of the capture site for squirrels and rabbits, and within two miles of the capture site for raccoons.
2.Relocation permit applications must be submitted to and approved by the Division prior to relocation. Permit approval or denial shall be based on the following: size of the relocation site; proximity of the site to public lands; habitat suitability and potential to support the relocated species; escape control, including buffer zones and active control if necessary; wildlife health and zoonotic disease concerns, and any other appropriate wildlife management concerns. In addition, applications must be submitted for all requests to move prairie dogs including modifications and extensions for wild to wild relocation permits. Permits authorizing movement of prairie dogs shall cost forty dollars ($40.00). Original applications shall also include a management plan specifically addressing the applicant's long term plans for the maintenance or control of the prairie dog population on the property. For any species which, in accordance with the provisions of § 35-7-203, C.R.S., requires approval of the county commissioners, the applicant shall also submit a copy of the resolution as approved by the county commissioners.
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