Colorado River Emergency Closure
Effective immediately, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has issued an emergency closure for all public access and downstream recreation on the Colorado River starting at James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park in Fruita and extending to the Utah state line. This closure is necessary for firefighter and public safety due to the Snyder Fire currently burning in McInnis Canyon. Learn more.
A green-winged teal on the water.
Hunting
Excitement, adventure, beautiful scenery—that’s what hunting in Colorado is truly about. And there’s no better way to experience all three than waterfowl hunting. Waterfowl hunting provides the ultimate way to connect with nature and immerse yourself in the Colorado Outdoors.
Video: Waterfowl hunters like me? We’re a pain in the ANS.
Wherever you like to waterfowl hunt, remembering to clean, drain and dry your gear will protect the waters that support the habitat Colorado’s game species rely on.
Video: Colorado Waterfowl Study - North Park, Colorado
Conservation in Action
For the last seven years, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) biologists have been studying waterfowl in North Park. This video provides an intimate look at some of the tools and techniques avian researchers are using to better understand Colorado's duck populations and how to more effectively manage wetland habitat.
Need to Know
TO HUNT WATERFOWL, you need a small-game hunting license. If you are 16 or older, you also must have the $33 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) AND the $12.47 Colorado State Waterfowl Stamp to hunt waterfowl.
COLORADO WATERFOWL STAMP: The state stamp is printed on your hunting license and validated by signing your name in ink on the license.
FEDERAL DUCK STAMP: Effective July 1, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implemented the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023, allowing an individual to carry an electronic stamp for the entire waterfowl hunting season. The new electronic stamp shall remain valid from the day it is sold through the following June 30, instead of being valid 45 days from the day of sale (fws.gov/service/buy-duck-stamp-or-e-stamp). Traditional methods of purchasing the Federal Duck Stamp will continue. The physical stamp is valid when you sign your name in ink across the face of the stamp.
A federal stamp is not required to take light geese during the conservation order season: See "Legal Migratory Bird Hunting Methods," in the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure.
The 2026 brochure with updated season dates and fees will be available in August. The 2026 small game qualifying licenses are listed below.
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
2026 Habitat Stamp (required & nonrefundable) |
Only one is required per person, ages 18–64, per year buying or applying for a license. |
$12.76 |
|
Lifetime Habitat Stamp |
$384.16 |
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Annual small game |
Adult |
$38.49 |
|
Annual small game and fishing combo |
Adult |
$64.02 |
|
Annual small game |
Youth |
$2.53 |
|
Senior small game/fishing combo |
(residents age 64+) |
$38.03 |
|
Annual small-game license for senior lifetime and senior low-income annual fishing license holders |
(Senior Columbine or Centennial lifetime fishing license holders only) |
$27.82 |
|
Veteran lifetime combo |
(residents only, New 50% disabled or Purple Heart recipient) |
free |
|
First responder lifetime combo |
(residents only, permanent occupational disability) |
free |
All license fees include a $1.25 search-and-rescue fee and a $1.50 fee for the Wildlife Education Fund, when applicable. Reminder: If you draw a sheep or goat license, your credit card or CPW gift certificate on file in your online account will be charged after the draw.
The 2026 brochure with updated season dates and fees will be available in August. The 2026 small game qualifying licenses are listed below.
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
2026 Habitat Stamp (required & nonrefundable) |
Only one is required per person, ages 18–64, per year buying or applying for a license. |
$12.76 |
|
Lifetime Habitat Stamp |
$384.16 |
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Annual small game |
Adult |
$104.86 |
|
Annual small game |
Youth |
$2.53 |
All license fees include a $1.25 search-and-rescue fee and a $1.50 fee for the Wildlife Education Fund, when applicable. Reminder: If you draw a sheep or goat license, your credit card or CPW gift certificate on file in your online account will be charged after the draw.
Hunting Requirement
Hunters planning to use their small game license small game, coyote, and migratory birds will need to obtain their Harvest Information Program (HIP) number online at CPWShop.com or at any CPW location or sales agent, before they can legally hunt. Hunters who only wish to hunt furbearers (excluding coyote) do not need to register.
A selection of properties require hunting reservations to legally hunt waterfowl on in the Central and Pacific flyways. Reservation time slots start at 9:00 a.m. MT, and can be made up to 14 days before your hunt date.
The 2026 brochure with updated season dates and fees will be available in August. The 2025 brochure is still available as a reference for hunters to plan their hunts.
Be sure to read the “What’s New” pages to see a full list of changes on tap for the upcoming hunting seasons.
Download the BrochureYour Voice Matters
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) depends on feedback and advice from our state’s hunters and anglers to make the best decisions about the management of fish, wildlife, and habitat. In order to discuss issues and gather ideas, CPW convenes a statewide Sportsperson’s Roundtable and holds regional sportsperson meetings. The Sportsperson’s Roundtable fosters information sharing between the hunting, angling and trapping community and CPW on issues that pertain to wildlife recreation and management in Colorado.
