Where to Hunt
Hunting on Public Land
More than one-third of Colorado is public land, with a large portion of that open for hunting. While CPW manages some of that land including State Wildlife Areas and State Trust Lands, federal level agencies including the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management also take care of large portions of Colorado public land and allow hunting.
National Park Service land in Colorado only allows hunting in the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve.
State Wildlife Areas (SWAs)
State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) are 350 state- or privately-owned properties around the state of Colorado that offer wildlife-related recreation to the public. While most activities focus on hunting and fishing, each SWA has different allowed activities.
State Trust Lands (STLs)
Participating ranches in the RFW program provide public hunting access, about 1 million acres, to their land free of charge to those Colorado residents who draw licenses for elk, deer, pronghorn, turkey, moose, and bighorn sheep hunting.
Hunting at State Parks
31 state parks offer hunting, often with restrictions on the type of hunting available, the time allowed for hunts, require hunting reservations, or limit the number of hunters through a drawing.
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
The USFS manages about 11 million acres of public land in Colorado. Hunters must follow Colorado state hunting regulations, but any questions about USFS land, maps, access, closures, restrictions, conditions, etc. can only be answered by a Forest Service Office.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
The BLM manages more than 8 million acres of public land in Colorado.Unless specifically prohibited, BLM public lands are open to hunting. Hunters must follow Colorado state hunting regulations, but any questions about BLM land, maps, access, closures, restrictions, conditions, etc. can only be answered by a BLM office.
National Park Service (NPS)
While hunting is not permitted in Great Sand Dunes National Park, licensed hunters may hunt in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve during designated legal seasons.
Where to Hunt
Hunting Reservations
Some properties require a hunting reservation for hunting big game, small game, waterfowl or turkey. Locations requiring reservations are noted in the big game, small game and migratory birds, and other species hunting brochures.
Small game and waterfowl hunting reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance, while big game and turkey hunting reservations can be up to 45 days in advance. All reservations must be made at least 7 days in advance of the hunting season (big game, turkey) or hunt date (small game, waterfowl).
Hunting on Private Land
Hunting on private land though one of CPW's programs offers more access for more enriching hunting experiences. While Ranching for Wildlife and Bighorn Sheep Access program hunts are for Colorado residents only, all hunters can take advantage of the Walk-in Access Program.
Walk in Access Program (WIA)
WIA properties can only be accessed on foot. Some WIA properties will be open for both small game and big game, while other properties will remain small game only. WIA properties, about 166,493 acres, are open for hunting from the fall into the spring every year. See the Walk-in Atlas for specific dates.
Ranching for Wildlife (RFW)
Participating ranches in the RFW program provide public hunting access, about 1 million acres, to their land free of charge to those Colorado residents who draw licenses for elk, deer, pronghorn, turkey, moose, and bighorn sheep hunting.
Bighorn Sheep Access Program (BSAP)
The BSAP program has about 525,000 acres open to hunting, and helps to increase hunting opportunities for bighorn sheep in Colorado and provides residents a unique opportunity to hunt on private ranch land normally closed to the public.
Colorado Hunting Atlas - Getting Started
Where To Hunt
Colorado Hunting Atlas
The Colorado Hunting Atlas allows users to view big game concentrations and game management units on top of street maps, USGS topographic maps or high resolution color aerial photography. The Hunter Resource Report allows hunters to create a list of important emergency and contact information, field office locations, campgrounds, CPW sales agents and more.
CPW Mobile PDF
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Mobile PDF map reader app pinpoints your location on a map without the need for an internet or cell tower connection. Get CPW GMU maps, personalize maps using the Colorado Hunting Atlas or Fishing Atlas, USFS, USGS, or your favorite site. Go mobile! Whether you are hiking, hunting or fishing this app will be your guide in the backcountry.
Map Library
Search for PDF, GeoPDF, and Google Earth KMZmaps for location and species information.
GeoPDF Maps
- Desktop users: Using the geospatial location tool within Adobe Acrobat or Reader you can access latitude and longitude information within the map.
- Common GeoPDF readers for smartphones include: Avenza's PDF Maps App and TerraGo Mobile.
Filter by:
| Name | File Type | Statewide | Description | Last Modified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeoPDF | Off | 2018 CNAP Map | 2023 | |
| | On | Test map content | 2024 | |
| KMZ | On | Display of point feature recreational facilities on CPW owned properties. | 2023 |
Species Hunting Maps
By Game Management Unit
Moose
Moose Hunting GMU MapsPronghorn
Pronghorn Hunting GMU MapsTurkey
Turkey Hunting GMU MapsMountain Goat
Mountain Goat Hunting GMU MapsBighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep Hunting GMUsHunting Colorado: Game Wardens talk about their Game Management Units (GMUs)
Big Game
Colorado Game Management Unit (GMU) Videos - For Big Game Hunters
For information on GMUs in the Northwest and Southwest regions, please see our video series where Colorado's wildlife officers answer frequently asked questions, discuss access, describe animal movement, and more.