1

Elk

Elk being imported for hunting or breeding purposes are considered wildlife or alternative livestock and must be imported to a facility licensed either by the  Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) or Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). 

  1. Import Approval:  To obtain import approval, an import application, movement request form, and 60 month CWD surveillance history must be submitted for review. The import documents can be found here.  
  2. Once approval has been granted, the following are also required for import into Colorado:
    1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days prior to entry
      1. Official identification must be listed individually on the CVI.
    2. Identification required: 
      1. USDA official identification device (USDA silver “brite” tag or 840 RFID tag); AND
      2. A bangle or ranch tag to identify ownership.
    3. Permit Number: Permits for elk 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 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.
    4. Herd Certification Program (HCP): All import requests must be accompanied by a statement or certificate by the exporting state's animal health official at testing that the herd of origin is HCP certified.  
    5. Tuberculosis: Animals must originate from either:
      1. A current TB Accredited herd, OR
      2. A current TB Qualified herd 
        1. If the animals originate from a Qualified herd, the animals being imported must be TB tested and found negative within 90 days prior to entry.
    6. Genetic Testing for Elk Purity from an approved laboratory for all animals being imported, or animals must be registered Gold with the North American Elk Breeders Association (NAEBA). No animals with red deer genetics may be imported into Colorado.

 

Elk for slaughter:

Elk being imported directly to slaughter must meet the following criteria: 

  1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days prior to entry
    1. Official identification must be listed individually on the CVI
  2. Identification required: 
    1. USDA official identification device (USDA silver “brite” tag or 840 RFID tag); AND
    2. A bangle or ranch tag to identify ownership.
  3. Permit Number: Permits for elk 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 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.
  4. Tuberculosis: No TB accreditation or testing is required if animals are imported to a federally inspected slaughter facility. 
    1. If animals are not being imported to a federally inspected slaughter facility:
      1. Animals must originate from either:
        1. A current TB Accredited herd, OR
        2. A current TB Qualified herd 
          1. If the animals originate from a Qualified herd, the animals being imported must be TB tested and found negative within 90 days prior to entry.
  5. Chronic Wasting Disease: If CWD testing is required, either by the origin state for herd surveillance certification or by the slaughter facility, the animal owner is responsible for setting up testing arrangements and any expenses incurred.

 

For additional information on the Alternative Livestock program, please click here.  

last updated 5/21/24