The law in Colorado
Painted turtles and ornate box turtles may be taken from the wild, up to four of each species a year and twelve animals in total, and kept as pets but not sold. Other native turtles such as the yellow mud turtle and spiny softshell are protected nongame wildlife. Wild-caught turtles may be released only near where they were found and only if they never shared space with reptiles from elsewhere.
Selling. Native reptiles taken under the personal-use exception may only be disposed of by gift or as authorised by the Division. Animals on the unregulated wildlife list may be bought and sold without a licence. No state size rule was found beyond the federal 4-inch rule.
Keeping. Up to four painted turtles and four ornate box turtles may be taken each year, with no more than twelve native reptiles and amphibians in total at any time (2 CCR 406-10 #1000 A.6). Common snapping turtles may be possessed live under Chapter W-0. Yellow mud turtles and spiny softshells are protected nongame species and may not be taken or possessed.
Wild turtles. Nongame wildlife is protected and may not be taken except under the listed exceptions. Only the species in #1000 A.6, including painted and ornate box turtles, may be collected for personal use. Other native turtles may not be collected without a scientific or special licence.
Release. Wild-caught native reptiles may be released only if they have had no contact with reptiles from other areas, and within ten miles of their place of origin. Releasing any other wildlife is unlawful unless the regulations allow it (2 CCR 406-0 #009), and intentionally releasing unregulated wildlife is prohibited under Chapter W-11.
Who to ask. Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: 2 CCR 406-10 #1000 Nongame Wildlife, General Provisions (take and possession of native reptiles) (2 CCR 406-10 #1000 A.6); 2 CCR 406-10 #1004 Designation of Species (nongame reptiles) (2 CCR 406-10 #1004); 2 CCR 406-11 Chapter W-11 Wildlife Parks and Unregulated Wildlife (2 CCR 406-11); 2 CCR 406-0 #009 Release of Terrestrial Wildlife (2 CCR 406-0 #009). Last checked November 5, 2026. Our confidence in this summary: medium. This is a plain-English reading, not legal advice; the agency has the final word.
Reptile vets
- CSU Veterinary Health System, Avian, Exotics and Zoological CareFort Collins, Colorado
University teaching hospital service offering diagnostics and treatment for companion avian and exotic species by board certified specialists. 970-297-5000.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Colorado yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
- Scales 'N TailsAurora, Colorado
Exotic pet shop chain with 16 franchised locations open daily across Colorado, Arizona and Utah, including Aurora, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Northglenn, Phoenix, Gilbert, Riverton and West Valley City. The site does not list turtles or tortoises specifically. Ships: local pickup only. 303-362-1111.
Sellers that ship here
- LLLReptile and SupplyOceanside, California
Reptile retailer with eight stores in California, Arizona and Nevada, including Oceanside, Escondido, Menifee, San Diego, Chandler, Glendale, Henderson and Las Vegas, that stocks tortoises and turtles along with other reptiles and supplies. Also sells and ships animals online. Ships: ships nationally; store pickup available. 760-439-8496.
- My Turtle StorePort Richey, Florida
Online seller of aquatic turtles, tortoises, food and supplies that says it has operated for over 40 years and changed ownership in late 2024. Live animals ship by air only within the contiguous United States and are held when forecast lows are below 38 F. No statement about the FDA 4-inch rule or animal sizes was found on the pages read. Ships: contiguous US only. 656-777-1509.
- Snakes at SunsetMiami, Florida
Online seller of captive-bred reptiles with a Miami address that lists turtles such as pink-bellied side-necks and Fly River turtles plus a tortoise category. Ships FedEx Priority Overnight to all states except Alaska, Hawaii and the District of Columbia, and its turtle page cites the federal rule against selling turtles under 4 inches, with 4 inch juveniles offered. Ships: all states except AK, HI and DC.
- XYZ ReptilesPalmetto Bay, Florida
Breeder and online retailer of captive-bred reptiles with turtle and tortoise categories, shipping overnight on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with a live arrival guarantee. Does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico, and its turtle page states that turtles and tortoises under 4 inches are offered for educational, scientific or export purposes only, not as pets. Ships: all states except AK and HI. 305-305-5998.
- New England Reptile DistributorsPlaistow, New Hampshire
Reptile breeder and shop known as NERD, with a facility in Plaistow that offers tours and sells pythons, boas, lizards and other animals in person and online with priority shipping. Its terms state that turtles and tortoises are sold for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: ships nationally; pickup in Plaistow. 603-382-2772.
- Jungle Bob's Reptile WorldSelden, New York
Long Island reptile store open daily that sells tortoises, turtles, lizards, snakes, amphibians, feeders and supplies, with in-store pickup, local delivery and nationwide shipping of supplies. Ships: local pickup; ships supplies nationwide. 631-737-6474.
- Redfoot RanchAlice, Texas
Home-based breeder of red-footed and other tortoises and turtles, formerly in Wimauma, Florida and now in Alice, Texas, selling hatchlings and other sizes by mail order. Ships throughout the continental United States and to Alaska, with pickup possible near Corpus Christi, and its terms state that tortoises and turtles under 4 inches are offered for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: continental US and AK. 727-421-5542.
- ReptmartOnline
Online seller of captive-bred reptiles only, with turtle and tortoise categories. Live animals ship FedEx Overnight Monday to Wednesday with a live arrival guarantee, not to Alaska, Hawaii or the District of Columbia, and its terms state that all turtles and tortoises under 4 inches are sold for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: all states except AK, HI and DC.
- Reptile RaptureMonona, Wisconsin
Reptile store on Monona Drive near Madison open seven days a week, selling reptiles and invertebrates from its own breeding room plus supplies and feeders, with shipping available and a reptile rescue program. The site does not list turtles or tortoises specifically. Ships: ships nationally; pickup in Monona. 608-221-0094.
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