The unfortunate and sad truth is that there is a pretty large black market for products made from protected animals. Endangered species are poached around the world and their hides, skins, tusks, and sometimes entire bodies are made into items that are illegal in the United States.

Smuggling these items into the country is a risky task, and many times results in the products being seized. Once seized, they are typically sent to a warehouse in Colorado known as the National Wildlife Property Repository.

Colorado's National Wildlife Property Repository

Get our free mobile app

The National Wildlife Property Repository is located just outside of the Denver metro area at 6550 Gateway Rd Bldg. 128, Commerce City, CO 80022.

Believe it or not, the repository is open to the public but is by appointment only. However, because of the nature of the items inside, it is quite the opposite of a happy place to visit.

What's Inside of Colorado's National Wildlife Property Repository?

Colorado's National Wildlife Property Repository has an estimated 1.3 million seized and confiscated items which are products of once-living, protected animals.

The seized items include taxidermied animals such as big cats, bears, monkeys, and many others.

There are products made from ivory, bones, teeth, and various other parts of animal bodies as well, in addition to heads, feet, and sometimes even full bodies of protected and endangered animals.

Keep scrolling to take a look at some of the items currently inside the National Wildlife Property Repository in Colorado but be warned, many of these items are hard to even look at:

Seized Illegal Taxidermy and Animal Products end up in Colorado

A warehouse in Colorado is filled with over a million illegal and seized items made from protected animals and wildlife.

Amazing Wildlife Viewing At Colorado Drive-Thru Refuge

The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge actually isn't all that new, but there are plenty of folks in Colorado who are yet to make the discovery. With more than 15,000 acres of land, it's one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the country.

Colorado Wildlife: 25 Amazing Wildlife Photos You Captured in 2021

The Centennial State has no shortage of stunning wildlife, from moose to elk to otters and more. We asked you to send in the wildlife pictures you took this year. Read on to see your best Colorado wildlife photos from 2021.

More From 94 KIX Country