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Origin → Destination

Bringing a carcass from Iowa to Colorado

Iowa has confirmed CWD detections, which triggers Colorado's stricter import rule. You may generally bring back only lower-risk parts (see the allowed list). CWD is endemic in Colorado. Binding import rule codified in the Code of Colorado Regulations (2 CCR 406-0/406-2, Big Game) and summarized on CPW's CWD page. The codified regulation PDF (sos.state.co.us) uses custom font encoding and could not be machine-extracted; rule text corroborated across multiple searches quoting the CPW regulation. Verify with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife before transport.

Origin · Iowa

CWD confirmed
brings the rule from the destination

Destination · Colorado

CWD confirmed
Reverse: CO → IA

CWDCrossing provides informational summaries of state CWD carcass-transport regulations. Rules change annually pre-hunting-season; verify with both the origin and destination state wildlife agencies before transport. Failure to comply may result in citations. Not affiliated with the CWD Alliance, the National Deer Association, or any state agency.

Iowa has confirmed CWD — Colorado's stricter rule applies

What you can bring into Colorado

  • Meat that is cut and wrapped (commercially or privately) / deboned meat
  • Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached
  • Hides with no head attached
  • Clean (disinfected) skull plates with antlers attached
  • Antlers with no meat or tissue attached
  • Clean/disinfected whole skull (European mount) with no brain or nervous tissue
  • Upper canine teeth
Colorado Parks and Wildlife — Chronic Wasting Disease (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026

What's restricted in Colorado

  • Whole carcasses (from CWD-positive game management units/states)
  • Spinal column / spinal cord (including dorsal root ganglion)
  • Head with brain tissue / brain
Colorado Parks and Wildlife — Chronic Wasting Disease (opens in a new tab)verified June 16, 2026

Handling + processing requirements

Restriction applies to dead deer or elk imported from any other state or country from a game management unit diagnosed as positive for CWD in the wild; only the listed lower-risk parts may be brought in from those areas.

What to do before you transport

  1. Confirm the current rule directly with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you transport anything.
  2. Keep proof of where you hunted — many states require a label with your name, license number, and the state of harvest.
  3. Iowa has confirmed CWD detections; check whether Colorado applies a stricter rule to carcasses from CWD-affected states.
  4. If your route crosses additional states, check each one — a state you only drive through can still regulate possession in transit.

Iowa and Colorado on the CWD map

ALAKAZARCACOCTDEDCFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY
  • CWD confirmed in state
  • Under heightened surveillance
  • No known CWD detections

Zone status is informational, not a hazard rating. Detections expand over time — confirm current status with each state's wildlife agency.

Other destinations from Iowa

IA → AlabamaIA → AlaskaIA → ArizonaIA → ArkansasIA → California

Check a different pair

The state you took the deer or elk in.

The state sets the rule for what you can bring in.

Verified against the Colorado Parks and Wildlife on June 16, 2026Expert review in progress(state-DNR contact / wildlife biologist / hunting-org compliance officer)

CWDCrossing provides informational summaries of state CWD carcass-transport regulations. Rules change annually pre-hunting-season; verify with both the origin and destination state wildlife agencies before transport. Failure to comply may result in citations. Not affiliated with the CWD Alliance, the National Deer Association, or any state agency.

How we verifyPrimary-source manifestCWD-zone map