It’s Now Legal to Have Crawfish Boils in Colorado, But You Have to Have a License

Crawfish boils are traditionally a southern thing, but that doesn’t mean people in Colorado don’t like them too. However, until last week it was technically illegal to have one in our state. 

Before Jan. 1, 2024, Coloradans could not legally import, transport or possess Louisiana crawfish for human consumption.

After learning most people in Colorado didn’t know about the law, and many had been unknowingly breaking it for years, the Parks and Wildlife Commission changed the rules in November of 2023, and the new year kicked off the ability to have legal crawfish boils in Colorado.

Here are the new rules for importing Louisiana crawfish into Colorado:

• No person may possess an individual of the species alive for more than 72 hours
• Any person who possesses the species alive must have:
  • A copy of an importation license that authorizes the importation of the crayfish in the person’s possession; and
  • A receipt or delivery confirmation reflecting the date the person took possession of the crayfish

Importation licenses cost $91 for the calendar year and are available at cpwshop.com.

Also, crawfish cannot be released or used as bait.