Colorado Wildlife Suspension Hearing Attorney Defending Against Suspension of Hunting and Fishing Rights What Types of Charges Could You Be Facing in a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Privilege Suspension Hearing? How Do Colorado License Privilege Points Work? Who Can Suspend Hunting and Fishing Privileges in Colorado? What Are Colorado Trespass Laws? What Are the Criteria for License Suspension? What Is the Timeline to Receive a Notice to Begin a Suspension Hearing? Where Are Suspension Hearings Held? Do You Need to Appear in Person? What Happens in a Suspension Hearing and How Do You Appeal? Defending Against Suspension of Hunting and Fishing Rights The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact has 45 participating member states, including Colorado. It is an agreement among those states in which each recognizes suspension of hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges of the others. Suspension of a license for illegal activities in one state can affect your hunting and fishing rights in all participating states. Back to Top What Types of Charges Could You Be Facing in a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Privilege Suspension Hearing? Hearing Examiners for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) review wildlife cases in which violations may result in suspension of hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges. In a suspension hearing, you could be facing charges that involve: Unlawful taking Illegal possession Hunting without a license Waste of wildlife (failure to dress) Trespassing Illegal transfer of a license Illegal outfitting Firearms violations Lacey Act violations (unlawful importing, exporting, selling, acquiring, or purchasing of fish or wildlife) Back to Top How Do Colorado License Privilege Points Work? Most wildlife violations come with penalizing points that are assessed against hunting and fishing privileges in all the compact states. All violations of PWC regulations carry five points. Points accumulated in any consecutive five-year period are relevant to possible suspension. They drop off at one day more than five years after a conviction. Back to Top Who Can Suspend Hunting and Fishing Privileges in Colorado? Only the Parks and Wildlife Commission and its hearing offices can suspend hunting and fishing privileges in Colorado. The court system has no authority to do so. Only as part of a plea agreement may a court impose a suspension. Back to Top What Are Colorado Trespass Laws? Under state law, you need permission from the landowner before entering or crossing private property, except on public roadways. It is against the law to trespass while engaged in hunting. Penalties for violations include a fine of $137, possible jail time, and 20 hunting license points. Back to Top What Are the Criteria for License Suspension? Suspension of a hunting or fishing license is based on what violation the defendant was convicted of and certain criteria. Certain violations result in automatic license suspension. In deciding on the duration of the suspension, the hearing examiner will consider the facts of the underlying violation, the administrative license hearing, and all relevant written materials and documentary evidence. The examiner will also consider a lengthy list of factors. Back to Top What Is the Timeline to Receive a Notice to Begin a Suspension Hearing? After a person is cited for a violation, the Law Enforcement Unit (LEU) of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) transfers the case to the CPW Hearing Office. This process can take up to three months. License suspension hearing notices are sent thereafter, at least 30 days before the scheduled hearing date. These dates are based on the examiner’s travel schedule throughout the state. It can take up to 12 months for a hearing notice to be sent. Back to Top Where Are Suspension Hearings Held? Do You Need to Appear in Person? Suspension hearings can be held in any of the 13 CPW offices. If the hearing location is inconvenient, you have the option to request a different location. The defendant is not required to appear at the hearing. If you live out of state, you can request a telephone hearing. Back to Top What Happens in a Suspension Hearing and How Do You Appeal? At the hearing, you will discuss the events related to the citation with the examiner. You may have an attorney present, call witnesses in your defense, and present any relevant documentation or evidence. You may appeal the hearing examiner’s decision by filing a written notice of appeal with the PWC within 30 days, and no later than 45 days from the date of the certificate of service. If you have received a notice of suspension hearing, our experienced Colorado wildlife law attorney at Welsh Law, LLC can represent you in the hearing and appeal. Contact us at (720) 836-1777. Back to Top