Auction and Raffle Licenses

CPW issues 18 special Auction and Raffle Program (9 auction and 9 raffle licenses) 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.

75%

of gross proceeds must be paid to CPW

million grossed from licenses in 2021

$4.4

million generated from licenses in the last 5 years

100%

Funds Projects that Benefit Wildlife in Colorado

Find a License

Deer

Colorado Mule Deer Association

1 auction license available

Visit website

The Mule Deer Foundation

1 auction license available

Visit website

Muley Fanatic Foundation

1 raffle license available

Visit website

Safari Club International Colorado Chapter

1 raffle license available. Raffle information can be downloaded from the SCI websites.

Visit website

Elk

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

1 auction license available

Visit Website

The Mule Deer Foundation

1 auction license available

Visit the Website

Colorado Wildlife Federation

1 raffle license available

Visit the Website

Safari Club International Colorado Chapter

1 raffle license available

Visit the Website

Moose

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., Colorado

1 auction license available

Visit the Website

Safari Club International Colorado Chapter

1 raffle license available

Visit the Website

Mountain Goat

Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance

1 auction license available

Visit website

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society

1 raffle license available

Visit the Website

Pronghorn

Muley Fanatic Foundation

1 auction license available

Visit the Website

The Mule Deer Foundation

1 auction license available

Visit the Websiite

Safari Club International Colorado Chapter

1 raffle license available

Visit the Website

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society

1 raffle license available

Visit the Website

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (Excludes Desert Bighorn Sheep)

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society

1 auction license available
1 raffle license available

Visit the Website

About the Licenses

When can I hunt with a raffle or auction license?

Deer Auction and Raffle License Dates

Deer auction and raffle licenses are only valid between and including August 1st and November 30th during the year they are issued. Actual dates can vary by unit and species. These licenses have extended seasons and are valid in any unit open to hunting for that species.

For most units west of I-25 the season closes November 30.
For many areas east of I-25 deer season will continue to be open through December 31 because many of the plains units have buck or either sex seasons open through December 31.
Many plains units do not open until archery season starts October 1st.
Auction and raffle licenses for deer are valid even when there is no regular open season in progress in the unit.

It is up to the hunter to determine the season dates for each unit by identifying the unit they are interested in hunting and looking in the big game brochure to see what the first and last antlered or either-sex deer seasons are in that unit.

Pronghorn, Elk, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose License Auction and Raffle License Dates

All other auction and raffle licenses (pronghorn, elk, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose) are only valid between and including August 1st and December 31st during the year they are issued. Actual dates can vary by unit and species. These licenses have extended seasons and are valid in any unit open to hunting for that species.

Auction and raffle licenses for these species are valid even when there is no regular open season in progress in the unit.
Auction and raffle Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep licenses are NOT valid for desert bighorn sheep.

Mountain Goat and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Restrictions

Auction and raffle hunters are also restricted to weekdays only in mountain goat and bighorn sheep units that are only open to hunting “weekdays only”. Weekdays only regulations are in place to reduce conflicts with other users.

What method of take can I use?

For Deer and Elk

Auction and raffle hunters are not restricted to the same manner of take as any ongoing open season (example: a legal rifle or legal muzzleloader can be used for deer or elk during an open archery only season). In addition, deer and elk auction and raffle hunters are not restricted to open season methods of take when no open seasons are in progress.

For Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose

Auction and raffle hunters are restricted to the same manner of take as any ongoing open season or, if no season is ongoing, restricted to the manners of take allowed in the unit or part of a unit (example: if a unit only has archery seasons for a species, auction and raffle hunters in that unit are restricted to archery-only for that species even when there is no open archery season in progress).

For Pronghorn

Auction and raffle hunters are restricted to archery-only prior to the last Saturday in August. On or after the last Saturday in August, any legal method is valid and the method of take restrictions for pronghorn are the same as for deer and elk.

Can I still purchase a license for a big game species?

Auction and raffle licenses are additional licenses. It is possible to purchase a List A (primary) license for the same species in the same year your auction/raffle license is valid. Big Game raffle winners do not need to pay additional fees for a license. Individuals that have their hunting license privileges revoked or suspended in Colorado are not eligible to bid on auction licenses, participate in license raffles, or hunt with transferred auction licenses.

Can I get a refund?

There is no refund for auction and raffle licenses.

Can I transfer a license?

Raffle licenses will only be issued in the name of the person on the winning raffle ticket. Prior to issue, auction licenses can be gifted to another person if written notice is provided to CPW at least 30 days before the opening of the season. Licenses cannot be transferred to another person once the license is issued.

Mandatory Reporting

Report Your Hunting Location Ahead of Time

All holders of auction and raffle licenses must provide the local CPW Wildlife Office in the hunting area the following information prior to hunting and if you change locations:

Anticipated hunting areas including GMUs and nearest towns,
Vehicle descriptions
Intended method of take.

Present Your Harvest to CPW

All wildlife harvested through the use of an auction or raffle license must be presented to, and inspected by an employee of CPW at a Wildlife Office on or before the 5th working day after the harvest date. Bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunters must personally present animals with horns and skull intact.

Fill Out and Return the Harvest Questionnaire

All auction/raffle hunters, including those who are unsuccessful, must complete and return a harvest questionnaire provided by CPW within 30 days after the close of their final hunting season. Successful hunters, bring your mandatory harvest questionnaire with you when you have your animal inspected.

Failure to comply with the above requirements is a violation of Parks and Wildlife Commission regulations and could result in loss of future hunting privileges in Colorado.

Resources

Auction and Raffle Regulations

Auction and raffle licenses have their own governing regulations in addition to the regulations in the big game brochure.

Review the Regulations

Big Game Brochure

With the exception of season dates, unit boundary restrictions, and, in some cases, manner of take restrictions, all statutes and regulations that apply during the regular hunting seasons for a species also apply to auction and raffle license holders.

Review the Big Game Brochure