Is It Illegal To Feed Pelicans In Colorado?

Every year, the pelicans show up again, especially around Windsor. They come to town in May. They spend a nice summer, and then, usually around the middle to end of October, they pack up their RVs and flee to the South with their families to keep warm—just like your grandparents.

As so many pelicans congregate around Windsor in particular — largely in part thanks to so many shallow ponds and lakes where they can easily find food — it's not at all uncommon to see them hanging around. A lot of times, I see people out walking their dogs or walking with their kids and bringing along things like bread, seeds and other "human" snacks they toss the pelicans' way. Sometimes they pick it up and eat it, some times they don't.

Don't confuse them with seagulls — they'll eat anything. But pelicans are slightly more choosy, mostly dining on fish they catch in the water. Sometimes, they may eat other smaller birds in a pinch or things like frogs or lizards, etc.

The big question, though, is whether you're actually allowed to feed the pelicans you encounter. Surely, it's okay to toss them a piece of bread or potato chip, right?

NO! It's not OK. For starters, pelicans don't eat bread or potato chips ... they eat fish and other things they find for themselves in the wild.

In fact, it's actually illegal to feed most wildlife in the state of Colorado, and there are other restrictions on how and when you can legally feed certain birds and other smaller wildlife. Bigger game wildlife like deer and elk are always illegal to feed in any way shape or form.

For more information, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.