Landscape of the Elk Springs Ranch, a ranch participating in the Ranching for Wildlife Program for residents hunters.
Buying a License
Colorado Residency
Being a Colorado resident has its perks! In addition to receiving in-state rates for licenses and passes, residents are also eligible for a large number of special, resident-only programs that include land access, special hunting licenses, unique parks programs, and more.
Who is a Colorado Resident?
A Colorado resident is someone who:
- Holds a valid, current Colorado driver’s license or Colorado ID card, issued at least six months ago
- Has lived in the state for at least six consecutive months immediately prior to purchase of CPW products
- Primary residence is located in Colorado
Youths, under age 18, whose primary legal guardian qualifies as a Colorado resident as outlined above, are considered Colorado residents.
You terminate your Colorado residency if you apply for, buy or accept a resident hunting, fishing or trapping license issued by another state or foreign country, register to vote outside Colorado, accept a driver’s license that shows an address other than in Colorado, or move outside of Colorado with the intent of making it your permanent residence.
Students qualify for Colorado residency if they are:
- Full-time students attending an accredited Colorado trade school, college, or university for at least six months prior to buying or applying for a CPW product
- Colorado residents who currently attend trade school, college, or university on a full-time basis out-of-state and pay nonresident tuition and otherwise qualify as a Colorado resident
Acceptable proof of residency documentation for students:
- School Transcripts
- Class Schedule
- Proof of Payment
- Valid Student Identification Card
- Nonresident tuition payment or proof of nonresident status shown on current transcripts
Military members qualify for Colorado residency if they are:
- Serving in the United States armed forces, AND
- On active duty in Colorado, AND
- Stationed in Colorado on official orders, OR
- U.S. Active Duty Military with Colorado as their Home of Record, AND
- Serving on permanent (PCS) orders outside of Colorado
Active duty does not include reserve status or National Guard.
Am I a Nonresident?
If you can answer "Yes" to any of the questions below, you cannot claim yourself as a Colorado resident at this time.
- I have a driver's license that shows an address other than Colorado.*
- I claim residency in more than one state or country.*
- I am registered to vote in another state or foreign country.*
- I purchased a resident license in another state in the past 6 months.
- I applied for, purchased, or accepted a resident hunting, fishing, or trapping license from another state or foreign country.
- I am a person under age 18 and my primary legal guardian is not a Colorado resident.
- I’m a full-time student and I have been attending a Colorado university for less than six months.
*Except for students and US active duty military
Proof of Residency
Colorado Driver’s License or Colorado Identification Card
To claim Colorado residency, the customer must hold a valid Colorado Driver's License or Colorado Identification Card. The physical residence address provided to buy or apply for a license must be the same as the address given for Colorado state income tax purposes.
To claim Colorado residency, the customer must hold a current, valid Colorado driver's license or Colorado identification card. The physical residence address provided to buy or apply for a CPW product must be the same as the address given for Colorado state income tax purposes.
Identification Issued Less Than Six Months Ago
If your Colorado driver's license or Colorado identification card was issued or renewed less than six months ago you must provide additional documentation of at least two sources from the below list to prove that you have been a resident for the required six months.
The additional proofs of residency must have your name and Colorado residency address on them and provide proof that you have lived in Colorado each of the prior six months. For example, you could provide six months worth of electric bills and six months worth of rent checks in addition to your Colorado driver's license and ID.
Owning property in the state of Colorado does not establish residency.
- Income Sources (pay stubs, Social Security check stubs)
- Utility Bills (phone, electric, gas, cable, etc.)
- Colorado State Income Tax Documents (as full-time resident)
- Leasehold (lease agreements, rental agreements)
- Colorado Motor Vehicle Registration
- Colorado Voter Registration Card
Resident Opportunities
Keep Colorado Wild Pass
Colorado residents can get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass when registering a car, motorcycle, recreation vehicle or light truck through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The pass is for residents interested in visiting Colorado State Parks.
Ranching for Wildlife
The Ranching for Wildlife program provides Colorado residents a unique opportunity to hunt on private ranch land normally closed to the public. Hunters have the opportunity to hunt bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose, pronghorn and turkey through this program.
Bighorn Sheep Access Program
The Bighorn Sheep Access program provides Colorado residents a unique opportunity to hunt bighorn sheep on private ranch land normally closed to the public.
Centennial Parks Pass
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers a $14 Centennial State Park Pass to income-eligible Colorado residents.
Resident Fishing and Hunting Combination License
Residents may purchase a combination fishing and small game hunting license that allows them to fish and hunt small game. This license is also a qualifying license for applying in the big game draws.
Resident Disability Programs
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers an array of programs for persons experiencing disabilities including discounted and free parks passes for Colorado residents who are experiencing disabilities and disabled first responders. Please see the program pages for specifics.
Resident Military Programs
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers an array of programs for resident US military personnel including discounted and free parks passes. Please see the program pages for specifics.