Colorado hunting guide

License year: 2026 and 2027. Each fact shows its own license year, source and the date we checked it. Always confirm with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you apply.

Key facts

2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — opens
March 1, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — closes
April 7, 2026, 8 p.m. MT Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — results
May 26-29, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — surrender by
June 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. MT Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — payment due
June 12, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — mailed by
June 26, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Topics

What changed

2026
Nonresidents can no longer buy OTC archery elk licenses west of I-25 or in GMU 140 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
2026
Second- and third-season rifle bull elk in GMUs 54, 55 and 551 moved from OTC to limited Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
2026
Mandatory CWD testing for elk harvested in rifle seasons in select GMUs Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
2026
Backcountry Search and Rescue surcharge raised from $0.25 to $1.25 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
2028
Approved draw process changes take effect in 2028 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Colorado hunting questions

When is the Colorado big game draw deadline?

2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — opens: March 1, 2026. 2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — closes: April 7, 2026, 8 p.m. MT. 2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — results: May 26-29, 2026. 2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — surrender by: June 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. MT. 2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — payment due: June 12, 2026. 2026 primary draw: deer, elk, pronghorn and bear — mailed by: June 26, 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure.

Can nonresidents buy an OTC archery elk tag in Colorado?

Nonresident elk tag over the counter: Limited. Nonresidents can no longer buy OTC archery elk licenses west of I-25 or in GMU 140 and must apply for limited archery hunt codes (p. 43). They can still hunt OTC archery in certain GMUs east of I-25 with hunt codes E-F-133-U1-A and E-E-087-U1-A. Checked Oct 26, 2026. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure.

How much is a nonresident elk license in Colorado?

Nonresident elk tag price: $845.16. Habitat Stamp: Price: $12.76. Lifetime Habitat Stamp: Price: $384.16. Resident draw application fee: Price: $8.93. Nonresident draw application fee: Price: $11.49. Backcountry Search and Rescue (BSAR) surcharge: Price: $1.25. Wildlife Management Public Education Fund surcharge: Price: $1.50. Checked Oct 26, 2026. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, CPW Chapter W-0 regulations (as approved May 2026).

Who needs hunter education in Colorado?

Required if born on or after: Jan. 1, 1949. Checked Oct 26, 2026. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure.

Colorado elk and mule deer draw odds by unit: past results from each state agency, with the source for every number.