Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission Weighs Daily Hunting Caps and Fur Ban

Aspen —A $10 permit. No limit on how many you can kill.

That’s the current deal for hunting Colorado’s 17 furbearer species, a system that sold 19,620 permits in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Now, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission is weighing two major changes that could reshape how locals hunt and what happens to the pelts. On July 20 and 21, the commission will consider imposing a daily hunting cap and a ban on commercial fur sales.

The push for change didn’t come from thin air. It’s the latest chapter in a years-long debate, accelerated by a surge in public interest following Proposition 127 — the failed 2024 ballot measure that sought to ban the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx.

Let’s look at the daily limit first. The agency proposed a cap of 15 animals per day for all 17 species back in March. That number includes beavers, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, martens, and other mesocarnivores. But it didn’t sit well with everyone. Wildlife advocates and some commissioners argued 15 was too high, asking staff to consider a lower number. On July 20, the commission will discuss a new option, though the agency’s official recommendation remains stuck at 15.

For context, these species are grouped as mesocarnivores. They have high reproductive output and high natural mortality rates. They’re habitat generalists. According to a July memo from Parks and Wildlife Director Laura Clellan, current annual harvest rates range from 0.6% to 5.8% of conservative population projections. There is no scientific evidence, Clellan wrote, that the current unlimited harvest is threatening the populations.

The second issue is the fur ban. This emerged from a petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity in June 2025. The argument was simple: selling fur is unethical and outdated. It aligns furbearers with how the state manages other wildlife. In a controversial March vote, the commission approved the petition, going against the recommendation of Parks and Wildlife staff. The first hearing on this specific ban is July 21. The agency is offering two options for potential bans, but its recommendation is to do nothing.

The public is split. On one side, you have sportspersons and agriculture advocates. They argue the current system is driven by science and is a critical part of Colorado’s hunting heritage. It provides data to the agency. On the other side are wildlife conservation and welfare advocates. They say the management is outdated, unethical, and leading to overexploitation.

Currently, anyone can hunt these 17 species with just a $10 permit. There is no limit on the total number a permit holder can kill in a season. The debate isn't just about the animals; it's about who gets to decide how many are "enough."

The commission’s decision will stick. If they cap the daily limit, it changes the rhythm of the hunt. If they ban the fur sales, it changes the market for those pelts. If they do nothing, the status quo continues: $10 for the right to take as many as you want.

The hearings start July 20. The commission has the final say.