Colorado draw deadlines and rules

Application and draw dates

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.

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.

Results

May 26-29, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

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.

Payment due

June 12, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Mailed by

June 26, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 secondary draw (no preference points used or awarded)

Opens

June 18, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Closes

June 30, 2026, 8 p.m. MT Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Results

July 7, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Surrender by

July 9, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Payment due

July 21, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Mailed by

July 27, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 leftover and unlimited OTC licenses on sale

Opens

Aug. 4, 2026, 9 a.m. MT Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Weekly reissued limited licenses

Opens

Reissue Preview List posted every Tuesday at 11 a.m. MT; those hunt codes go on sale every Wednesday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. MT, starting the week after leftover licenses go on sale Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 primary draw

Opens

Colorado Parks and Wildlife hasn't published this yet. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Closes

Colorado Parks and Wildlife hasn't published this yet. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Results

Colorado Parks and Wildlife hasn't published this yet. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Draw rules

One app per species

You may submit one application for each species, per draw, per year Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Secondary no points

Preference points are not used or awarded in the secondary draw Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 3. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Nonresident cap high demand

For elk, deer, pronghorn or bear hunt codes that needed six or more points for an adult Colorado resident to draw, up to 20 percent of licenses may go to nonresidents Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Nonresident cap other

For hunt codes that needed fewer than six points, up to 25 percent may go to nonresidents Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Youth

Youth hunters ages 12-17 are offered reduced-cost licenses Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 17. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Draw changes 2028

Draw changes approved by the Parks and Wildlife Commission take effect in 2028 (cpw.state.co.us/2028-draw) Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.