Colorado elk hunting

Over the counter or draw

Resident

Yes. Unlimited OTC elk licenses (archery either-sex and antlerless, second- and third-season antlered rifle, plains rifle) go on sale Aug. 4 at 9 a.m. MT; see the maps on pp. 38-41 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 38. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Nonresident

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 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Note

Second- and third-season rifle bull elk in GMUs 54, 55 and 551 moved from OTC to limited for 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 1. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Seasons

Archery

Starts

Sept. 2, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Sept. 30, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Muzzleloader

Starts

Sept. 12, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Sept. 20, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

First rifle (elk only)

Starts

Oct. 14, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Oct. 18, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Second rifle

Starts

Oct. 24, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Nov. 1, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Third rifle

Starts

Nov. 7, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Nov. 15, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Fourth rifle

Starts

Nov. 18, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Nov. 22, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 archery (framework)

Starts

Sept. 2 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 5. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Sept. 30 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 5. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 first rifle elk (framework)

Starts

Oct. 13, 2027 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 7. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Oct. 17, 2027 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 7. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 second rifle (framework)

Starts

Oct. 23, 2027 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 7. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Oct. 31, 2027 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 7. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 third rifle (framework)

Starts

Nov. 6, 2027 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 7. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Nov. 14, 2027 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 7. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 fourth rifle (framework)

Starts

Nov. 17, 2027 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 7. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Nov. 21, 2027 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 7. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Plains rifle elk (framework, 2025-2029)

Starts

Sept. 1 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 5. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Ends

Jan. 31 Five-year season framework (2025-2029). CPW has not yet published the 2027 brochure or 2027 hunt code tables. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 5. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

License and tag prices

Resident

$70.40 Includes surcharges; W-0 base fee $67.65 plus $1.50 Wildlife Management Public Education Fund and $1.25 BSAR. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 5. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Nonresident

$845.16 Includes surcharges; W-0 base fee $842.41 plus $1.50 and $1.25. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 5. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

How to apply and limits

How to apply

Buy a qualifying license (from March 1), then apply online in the primary draw, March 1 - April 7, 8 p.m. MT (2026) Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Unit or area tool

cpw.state.co.us/hunting/big-game/over-the-counter-licenses Source: CPW Over-the-Counter (OTC) Licenses. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Deadlines

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.