The Animal Health Division is experiencing trouble with their telephone system. If this is an emergency and you need to reach the veterinarian on-call, please dial 720-471-9399 and leave a message.  Routine calls will be returned on Monday, November 25.  

 
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Circus, Exotic and Zoo Animals

The following steps must be completed in the order listed (1 through 4):

  1. Approval or licensure from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) may be required prior to entry. For approval and licensing questions, contact CPW by calling 720-660-1001.
    1. CPW Non-Resident Temporary Exhibitor’s License is required for many species.
    2. Certain animals are prohibited from entering Colorado under section 33-1-126, C.R.S., (The “Traveling Animal Protection Act”).
  2. Current USDA Exhibitor’s license is required prior to entry for exhibitors of circus and exotic animals. For licenses, contact the USDA APHIS Animal Care Western Region office by calling 970-494-7478.
  3. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days prior to entry.
  4. Permit required prior to entry. Permits for circus, exotic, and zoo animals may NOT be obtained using the Online Permitting System (OPS).
    1. Prior to movement, the issuing veterinarian must submit a copy of the draft CVI and Non-Resident Temporary Exhibitor’s License either by fax (303-466-8515) or email (animalhealth@state.co.us) and await approval from the office of the State Veterinarian before entry into Colorado.
    2. The office of the State Veterinarian will contact the issuing veterinarian to provide the permit number upon approval.
    3. Permit exemption:
      1. Animals originating from an AZA-accredited premises and moving to another AZA-accredited premises do not require an entry permit number.

 

Elephant Tuberculosis Requirements (to be met in addition to general requirements):

  1. Negative Tuberculosis Trunk Wash Culture within 12 months prior to entry.
    1. The Trunk Wash Culture must use the triple trunk wash technique, consisting of 3 trunk wash cultures within a 7 day period.
  2. No exposure to a Tuberculosis positive elephant within the past 5 years.
    1. A statement written on the CVI: “This elephant has not been exposed to a TB positive elephant in the past 5 years.”
    2. If the elephant has been exposed to a Tuberculosis positive elephant within the past 5 years, additional testing is required. Call (303) 869-9130 for additional requirements.

Last updated: 5/20/24