Big Game
Need a Colorado Big Game Hunting License?
There are still opportunities available to purchase a Colorado big-game hunting license.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses
- Remaining (leftover and reissued) limited licenses. Learn more about leftover licenses and the license reissue process.
'What's New' 2024 Colorado Big Game.
Big Game
What's New for Big Game in 2024
The 2024 Colorado Big Game Brochure is now available. This video provides a summary of some of the changes related to the limited-license draws and the fall hunting seasons. Be sure to read the "What's New" pages in the big game and sheep and goat brochures to see a full list of changes on tap for the upcoming seasons.
Special Edition
Colorado Outdoors Hunting Guide
This special to Colorado Outdoors is loaded with great content including articles on hunting during rut, staying safe in the field, guided youth hunts, preparing for Colorado's temperature swings, hunting dusky grouse, and so much more!
Note: Always check your physical license and the Colorado Big Game Brochure for specific hunting dates and legal hunting hours.
Colorado Hunting Brochures
Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure
The Big Game Brochure includes hunting information for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and bear.
The online Big Game brochure is the most up-to-date version.
Folleto de Regulacíon de Caza Mayor (En Español)
Descargue el FolletoColorado Sheep & Goat Hunting Brochure
The Sheep & Goat brochure includes hunting information for Desert Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat.
The online Sheep and Goat brochure is the most up-to-date version.
Folleto de Regulacíon de Borregos y Cabras (En Español)
Descargue el FolletoBig Game Hunting Opportunities
Choose a Species to Learn More
Bear
Bear DetailsBighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep DetailsDeer
Deer DetailsElk
Elk DetailsMoose
Moose DetailsPronghorn
Pronghorn DetailsMountain Goat
Mountain Goat DetailsMountain Lion
Mountain Lion DetailsLicense Options
Limited Licenses
What are limited licenses?
Each year, a set (limited) number of licenses is allotted to each game management unit (GMU). Huntable areas are broken down into units called “game management units.” These units help you decide where you'd like to hunt. A GMU map is available on the inside back cover of the Big Game Brochure.
You can apply for the big game draw(s) to get one of these limited licenses, or after the draws are over, you can purchase a remaining (leftover) limited license when they go on sale.
Big Game Draws
- Primary Draw (application period closed on April 2, 2024 )
- Secondary Draw (application period closed on June 28, 2024)
A qualifying license is required prior to applying for limited licenses through the big game draw(s).
Hunters can submit one application per species to participate in the draw. Applications can include up to four hunt choices to maximize your opportunity to draw a license and hunt.
Types of Limited Licenses
Limited licenses include public-land, private-land-only, Ranching for Wildlife (RFW), Bighorn Sheep Access Program (BSAP), season choice and leftover limited licenses.
Preference Points
Preference points help hunters to be successful in future primary draws because points add up per species until an applicant draws a first-choice license. One preference point is awarded to each applicant who qualifies for and does not draw their first-choice limited license for deer, elk, pronghorn or bear in the primary draw, or who applies using a specific preference-point hunt code that gets them a preference point only as their first choice.
Preference points are available on the primary draw application only.
Tip: If you can’t hunt this year, but intend to in the future, apply for a preference point by entering the “preference point only” hunt code in the “first choice hunt code” on the application. See pages 3 and 9 in the Big Game Brochure for details.
Refunds
For information on license refunds, please visit the Hunting License Refunds, Reversals and Exchanges page.
Leftover (Remaining) Limited Licenses
What are leftover licenses?
Leftover licenses are the remaining limited licenses available after the primary and secondary draws are completed. If you purchase one of these licenses, you will not use any of your preference points.
Leftover Licenses can Include Reissued Big Game Licenses
What are reissued licenses?
Reissued licenses are limited licenses that were returned for a refund or preference points, as well as those that were not paid for - and are listed on the leftover list. For more information on reissued licenses, visit the Leftover License and Reissue page.
The Reissue Preview List will be posted online every Tuesday at 11 a.m. MT, and hunt codes will be available for purchase every Wednesday starting at 11 a.m. MT. All hunt codes will be released from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. MT on Wednesday of every week, starting the week after leftover licenses go on sale. No new hunt codes will be added to the list after 1 p.m. MT each Wednesday.
Leftover (remaining) limited licenses are available in person at sales agents, by phone at 1-800-244- 5613 or online.
For information on license refunds, please visit the Hunting License Refunds, Reversals and Exchanges page.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Licenses
What are over-the-counter licenses?
OTC licenses are not restricted in quantity but are restricted to certain units, seasons and manners of take. Although they are considered "unlimited licenses," they are still subject to purchase limits for each individual.
OTC licenses do not require buying/having a qualifying license, do not use preference points and may be purchased any time before and during a season.
For sale online, by phone (1-800-244-5613) and at sales agents around the state.
OTC License Benefits
- can be purchased without applying through the draw(s)
- do not require buying/having a qualifying license
- provide you the flexibility to discover new units,
- allow you to scout different habitat, and
- potentially combine your hunt with the opportunity to hunt another species.
Some licenses for elk, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and bear are available without needing to enter the draw(s) and are not restricted in quantity (unlimited). Find more information on over-the-counter licenses in the Big Game brochure.
For information on license refunds, please visit the Hunting License Refunds, Reversals and Exchanges page.
Landowner Preference Program (LPP) Vouchers
The LPP encourages private landowners to provide habitat for the benefit of wildlife populations and to relieve hunting pressure on public lands. Deer, elk and pronghorn vouchers are allocated to landowners who meet certain qualifications. Applications are drawn during the primary draw, and successful landowners receive a voucher for each winning hunt code. The voucher is transferred directly to a hunter, who then purchases a license to hunt. Vouchers are not available for purchase from CPW.
For Hunters
- Landowner vouchers may be transferred one time only. The transfer of the voucher occurs when the hunter’s name is written on the voucher, or the landowner or designated land manager hands (or mails) the voucher to the hunter.
- The landowner or designated land manager must transfer the voucher directly to the hunter. A voucher that has been transferred by any person who is not the landowner or designated land manager is VOID. A voucher that is brokered for another person is VOID. A hunting license obtained for use with a VOID voucher is also VOID. No person shall broker a voucher on behalf of any landowner or person, or use or possess any brokered voucher.
- If a hunter cannot use a voucher, the voucher becomes VOID. The voucher CANNOT be reprinted or transferred to another hunter, even if the voucher has not been redeemed for a license.
- Annual bag limits still apply. Be sure you can legally have the license before acquiring a landowner voucher. List A, B or C is printed on the voucher. See the Big Game Brochure for details.
- The transfer of a voucher by a landowner or designated land manager includes permission to access and hunt all of the registered land for which the voucher was awarded, and for the entire season for which the voucher was awarded, without discrimination among hunters entering the land. Restrictions are not allowed, except for manner of access (i.e. foot, horseback, vehicle) reasonably necessary to prevent damage to land.
- The hunter must take the voucher in person to a sales agent or CPW location to be redeemed for a proper and valid license PRIOR to hunting. The appropriate license fees are paid at that time.
- A list of landowners is NOT available from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Definitions
- Broker: for a third party to transfer a voucher for compensation for any other consideration, or otherwise arrange for such transfer, on behalf of the landowner or land manager, or on behalf of any individual.
- Transfer: to buy, sell, assign, trade, exchange, acquire or otherwise arrange to buy, sell, assign, trade, exchange, acquire or dispose of a voucher.
- Immediate Family: the landowner’s spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, and sibling including in-law and step relations.
Apply as a Group for Hunts
By applying in a group for the Colorado limited license primary draws, you agree that you have read, understand and will abide by the group rules outlined below.
Group Sizes
- Group applications for any number of people are accepted for the primary draw for elk, deer, pronghorn, bear and turkey.
- Group applications for up to two individuals are accepted for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goat. Residents and nonresidents may not apply together as a group for these species.
- Group applications are not accepted for moose, desert bighorn sheep or the secondary draw.
Group Leader
- One person must be the group leader, and all applications in that group are linked together with that group leader’s CID (customer identification number).
- While the system will validate the hunt code choices, if there are differences in the number or order of hunt codes on the applications, the leader’s choices are used.
- The group leader must apply first so that the group members’ hunt code choices can be validated.
- If you are the group leader, select “I am a group leader.” All other group members will select “I am hunting in a group” and enter the group leader’s CID.
- If the leader has no CID, they must set up an account with CPW online at CPWShop.com, or by calling CPW at 303-297-1192 to get one. All group members must use the same person as the leader in order to go through the draw as a group.
Applying as a Group
- Group members must apply for the same species, hunt code, unit, geographic restrictions, season and method of take for each choice, but may apply for a different sex.
- For example: some group members may apply for EM011O1R as their first choice and others for EF011O1R as their first choice, and still be a part of the same group, but EE011P1R would not be a valid first choice for one of these group members as it has a different geographic restriction (private-land-only).
- Note: Only submit a group application if the hunting party will only go hunting if everyone is awarded a license. If hunters in the hunting party will hunt, even without everyone else drawing a license, please submit individual applications. Group applications do not increase the ability to draw licenses.
- All group members must have the same hunt code choices on their applications (other than sex). Each member must list the same first-choice hunt code and the same second-, third-, and/or fourth-choice hunt codes. These choices must be in the same order on all group applications.
- If the group leader makes a correction to their application and changes their hunt codes or hunt code order, their changes will override the choices of their group members.
It is the Group Leader's responsibility to inform his group of his change, no notification is sent to others in the group.
Application Errors
- Choose your group members wisely! If anyone in the group makes an application error, everyone in the group is disqualified.
- Common errors include (but are not limited to): invalid hunter education information, invalid residency information and hunting privilege suspensions.
How Licenses are Awarded
- Each hunter’s application is submitted separately using one group leader CID. Group applications entering the draw have priority based on the group member with the fewest preference points.
- Each individual application is assigned a six-digit number. Groups are assigned a number based on the lowest application number in the group. After the number is randomized, if that number is selected in the draw, and there are enough licenses left for the entire group, everyone in the group gets a license.
- If the group includes resident and nonresident applicants and the nonresident cap has been met, the group will not get licenses.
- If the group is successful for their first choice, each group member will get a license and their preference points drop to zero. If unsuccessful for their first choice, everyone gets a point.
- Licenses and notifications are sent to each individual based on the contact information in their profile.
After the Draw
Applicants are only considered a group for the draw. After the draw, if a group member fails to pay for their license or chooses to return it, it does not affect any of the other group members.
Youth
Youths will not receive youth preference if they apply as part of a group.
Hybrid Draw
Group applications are not accepted in the hybrid draw.
Auction and Raffle Licenses
CPW issues special Auction and Raffle Program big game licenses to nonprofit organizations focused on conserving wildlife in Colorado. The funds generated from the sale of these licenses are used for big game habitat enhancement, research, management, and education.
Learn from the Experts!
Hunting Access
In this video series, Colorado's wildlife officers answer frequently asked questions, discuss access, describe animal movement, and more.
In an effort to aid hunters in being as knowledgeable as they possibly can before heading out into the field, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released videos with wildlife officers addressing the questions they frequently get asked.
Over 120 videos on the playlist below feature the wildlife officers discussing the districts they cover, or the Game Management Units where hunters apply for licenses. It was targeted to aid big game hunters, but other hunting opportunities are also discussed for certain areas of the state.
Attention Hunters
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
CWD is a fatal neurological disease that attacks the brains of deer, elk and moose. It causes animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior and eventually die. Infected animals often show no signs of illness.
In 2024, CPW will require mandatory submission of CWD test samples (heads) from all deer harvested during rifle seasons from specific hunt codes to better evaluate the prevalence of CWD in herds. There will be no charge for mandatory testing. If a hunter is not selected for mandatory testing but wants to know whether their harvested deer or elk has CWD, they can submit their animal's head and pay a testing fee of $25.
Getting Started
Do You Have Your Hunter Education?
You'll need to have your hunter education certification and card number before applying for the draw(s) or purchasing a hunting license if you were born after Jan. 1, 1949. Remember that you must carry proof of hunter education in the field when you hunt!
Hunter Education Exemptions
- Individuals over age 50 or active duty U.S. military and veterans can obtain a hunter education certificate by testing out of hunter education.
- An apprentice certificate can be obtained for hunters who are at least 10 years old (age 12 for big game) and who must be accompanied by a mentor in the field. This hunter education waiver can be obtained twice in a lifetime.
Which Species Do You Want To Hunt?
Colorado offers 10 big-game species. This brochure has hunting rules and options for deer (mule and white-tailed), elk, pronghorn, moose and bear. Pick the species and sex you're interested in hunting.
Colorado's Ten Big-Game Species
Where Do You Want To Hunt?
Colorado is divided into hunting areas called game management units (i.e. Game Management Units). It's important that every hunter knows the boundaries of their hunting area, including private land boundaries.
When Do You Want To Hunt?
In general for deer, elk and bear hunting, archery season starts in early Sept. and lasts almost a month. Muzzleloader season starts in the middle of archery season, and four rifle seasons follow that. The first rifle season is limited to elk and bear hunting only. The second, third and fourth rifle seasons are for elk, bear and deer hunters, who will be in the field at the same time.
What Do You Want To Hunt With?
Colorado has seasons for archery, muzzleloader and rifle/associated methods hunting. “Associated methods” are shotguns, handguns, muzzleloaders that are a minumum of .40 caliber (.50 caliber for elk and moose), hand-held bows and crossbows. Legal requirements for the various methods and transporting them in the field are described in this brochure.
Types of Licenses You Can Get
Each year, a set (limited) number of licenses is allotted to each GMU. You can apply for the big game draw(s) to get one of these limited licenses, or after the draws are over, you can purchase a remaining (leftover) limited license when they go on sale. Some licenses for elk, pronghorn and bear are also available without needing to enter the draw(s) and are not restricted in quantity (unlimited). These can be purchased over the counter after they go on sale online, by phone and in person at sales agents around the state.
Read This Brochure!
Now that you have a plan, be sure to read through this brochure to help you get your license and be prepared out in the field.
The first 19 pages have all of your basic hunting information: new changes, license information, options and sales dates, general information, hunting laws, application information and deadlines, and how to read the hunt code tables.
Pages 20–67 break out each of the six big-game species in this brochure into their own sections. Each section has speciesspecific regulation changes, season dates, how to get more than one license and hunt code tables.
The last few pages, 68–73, provide a GMU map and detailed descriptions of the GMU boundaries and specific land restrictions.
For Selected Elk, Deer and Pronghorn Hunters
Big Game Harvest Survey
Colorado Parks and Wildlife conducts big game harvest surveys annually from mid-October through mid-February to collect hunt and harvest information from deer, elk and pronghorn hunters. Individual hunters are asked a series of questions related to their experience. Only those hunters who have been randomly selected and notified by CPW are eligible.
Big Game Hunting
5-Year Season Structure
Every five years, the Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts a Big Game Season Structure (BGSS) to provide an overall framework for hunting.
The five year time frame which is designed to provide sportspersons, hunting-related businesses, landowners, and communities an opportunity to plan ahead for the upcoming seasons by considering what, when and where types of big game hunting is available, and how the timing of hunting opportunities is divided among hunters.