Colorado mule deer hunting

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.

Over the counter or draw

Resident: No for mule deer. Most deer licenses are limited and available only through the draw(s); over-the-counter licenses for white-tailed deer are available in certain units with lower populations (pp. 33-34) Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 20. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: Same as residents. Most deer licenses are limited and available only through the draw(s) Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 20. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Note: All archery deer licenses are limited BGSS 2025-2029 framework. Source: CPW Big Game Season Structure 2025-2029, p. 2. License year 2027. 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.

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.

Plains rifle deer

Starts: Oct. 24, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Nov. 3, 2026 Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 2. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 muzzleloader deer (framework)

Starts: Sept. 11, 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. 2. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Sept. 19, 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. 2. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 high country deer (framework)

Starts: Sept. 11, 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. 2. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Sept. 19, 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. 2. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 plains muzzleloader deer (framework)

Starts: Oct. 9, 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. 3. 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. 3. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 plains rifle deer (framework)

Starts: Oct. 30, 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. 3. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Nov. 9, 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. 3. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Late plains rifle deer (framework)

Starts: Dec. 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. 3. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Dec. 14 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. 3. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

License and tag prices

Resident: $51.25 Includes surcharges; W-0 base fee $48.50 plus $1.50 and $1.25. Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 5. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: $506.92 Includes surcharges; W-0 base fee $504.17 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: Apply in the primary draw, March 1 - April 7, 8 p.m. MT (2026), after buying a qualifying license Source: CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting brochure, p. 4. 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.

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