Meeker Office Closure
The Meeker office is closed until further notice due to the Lee Fire. Please view the news release for additional details and alternative office information.
Hunting Elk
Hunting elk in Colorado is a popular activity among sportspeople. We’re here to help make sure you do your research, plan carefully, and stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.
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Video: Livin' the Wildlife: Rocky Mountain Elk
An Introduction to Elk
Colorado boasts the largest elk herd in North America. But elk were near extinction in the early 1900s. Thanks to conservation programs and sportsmen, elk populations have soared in the last 50 years.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in cooperation with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other conservation groups, conducts research, protects key winter range and migration corridors, and improves habitat to ensure Colorado’s elk herds remain abundant for future generations. Hunters fund conservation programs for elk and other species throughout Colorado.
Licenses on Sale
Leftover (Remaining) and Reissued Licenses
Colorado big-game hunters, this year, leftover licenses and any reissued licenses go on sale August 5th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time.
The list of leftover limited licenses will be available in August. Licenses can include deer, elk, pronghorn, and bear licenses.
Note: Always check your physical license and the Colorado Big Game Brochure for specific hunting dates and legal hunting hours.
License, Application Processing & Habitat Stamp Fees
Habitat Stamps
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
2025 Habitat Stamp (required & nonrefundable) |
Only one is required per person, ages 18–64, per year buying or applying for a license. |
$12.47 |
|
Lifetime Habitat Stamp |
$374.47 |
Qualifying Licenses
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Spring turkey |
Adult |
$36.68 |
|
Spring turkey |
Youth |
$19.21 |
|
Fall Turkey |
Adult |
$30.44 |
|
Fall Turkey |
Youth |
$19.21 |
|
Annual small game |
Adult |
$36.68 |
|
Annual small game |
Youth |
$1.50 |
|
Senior small game/fishing combo |
(residents age 64+) |
$36.22 |
|
Annual small-game license for senior lifetime and senior low-income annual fishing license holders |
(Senior Columbine or Centennial lifetime fishing license holders only) |
$26.24 |
|
Veteran lifetime combo |
(residents only, New 50% disabled or Purple Heart recipient) |
free |
|
First responder lifetime combo |
(residents only, permanent occupational disability) |
free |
Licenses
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Resident application processing fee |
(per species & nonrefundable) |
$8.00 |
|
Elk |
Adult |
$67.86 |
|
Elk |
Youth |
$18.90 |
All license fees include a 25-cent 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.
Habitat Stamps
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
2025 Habitat Stamp (required & nonrefundable) |
Only one is required per person, ages 18–64, per year buying or applying for a license. |
$12.47 |
|
Lifetime Habitat Stamp |
$374.47 |
Qualifying Licenses
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Spring turkey |
Adult |
$188.86 |
|
Spring turkey |
Youth |
$126.49 |
|
Fall turkey (valid for the secondary draw ONLY) |
Adult |
$188.86 |
|
Fall turkey (valid for the secondary draw ONLY) |
Adult |
$126.49 |
|
Annual small game |
Adult |
$101.54 |
|
Annual small game |
Youth |
$1.50 |
Licenses
License Type |
Details |
Fee |
|---|---|---|
|
Nonresident application processing fee |
(per species & nonrefundable) |
$11.00 |
|
Elk/fishing combo Adult |
Fishing portion of nonresident combo licenses is good through March 31, 2026. |
$825.03 |
|
Elk/fishing combo Youth |
Fishing portion of nonresident combo licenses is good through March 31, 2026. |
$126.18 |
All license fees include a 25-cent 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.
Need to Know
What you need to buy a license
- Proper identification and proof of residency (for Colorado residents).
- Proof of hunter education.
- A Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is required for hunters age 12 and older, per federal law.
- Habitat Stamp: An annual ($12.47) habitat stamp is automatically added to a license purchase for anyone ages 18 to 64. Residents with a Colorado lifetime license are exempt.
Season Dates
Elk Season Dates
Hunt dates for deer vary by license type and hunt location. Download the Big Game Brochure for specific hunting dates.
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.
Download the BrochureLicense 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 through the Colorado Hunting Atlas or 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
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. Applicants may only draw one license per species, per draw.
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.
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.
Leftover licenses will go on sale August 5th, 2025.
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
All hunt codes will be released as close to 11 a.m. MT as possible 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.
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. Please see the Big Game Brochure for valid OTC units.
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.
Apply as a Group
A group of hunters can apply together for licenses in the primary draw only. Group applications are not accepted for moose, desert bighorn sheep or hybrid draw licenses. Party hunting, or group members taking animals under a different group member’s license, is illegal in Colorado. Group applications do not receive youth preference.
Group Sizes
The following are the allowed sizes for group hunts:
- Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bear and Turkey: any number of people.
- Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep: 2 individuals. Residents and nonresidents may not apply together.
- Mountain Goat: 2 individuals. Residents and nonresidents may not apply together.
How to Apply
Group applications do not increase the probability of drawing licenses. Only submit a group application if everyone in your hunting party is committed to only go hunting if everyone draws. If members of the group plan to hunt anyway if their group application is unsuccessful, please submit individual hunting applications.
Group Leader
One person must be designated as the group leader, and all applications in that group are linked together with the group leader’s CID (customer identification number). If the leader has no CID, they must set up an account with CPW online at CPWShop.com, or by calling CPW to get one.
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.”
Group Members
All group members must use the same person as the leader in order to go through the draw as a group. All other group members will select “I am hunting in a group” and enter the group leader’s CID. 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. 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.
- Use the same person as the leader in order to go through the draw as a group.
- All group members will select “I am hunting in a group” and enter the group leader’s CID.
- 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.
- 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.
Submitting Group Applications
The group leader submits their application first, then each hunter submits their application separately under their individual account, putting the group leader’s CID in the appropriate field. When the system validates the group hunt code choices, if there are differences in the number or order of hunt codes on the applications, the leader’s choices will be used instead. 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.
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
- hunting privilege suspensions
How Licenses are Awarded
Each individual application is assigned a six-digit number. Groups are assigned a group number based on the lowest application number in the group and go through the draw based on the group member with the lowest number of preference points. After the group 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 be awarded 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. Applying for more than one choice gives the group additional chances at hunting together.
How Group Applicants are Notified
Awarded licenses and draw results are sent to each individual based on the contact information in their profile on CPWShop.com.
Group Applications and License Payment
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.
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.
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.
Refunds
For information on license refunds, please visit the Hunting License Refunds, Reversals and Exchanges page.
Opportunities for Everyone
New Hunters
New hunters can find many different learning resources through the Hunter Outreach Program. Explore hunting tips through videos, review past Learn to Hunt Webinars, listen to the local wildlife officers share tips and insights from the districts they manage, register for seminars, webinars, and skills clinics. The program even has opportunities to apply for limited mentored small game, waterfowl, turkey, and big game hunts!
Youth Hunters
Youth hunters have youth-only hunting opportunities including small game, extended seasons for deer, elk, and pronghorn, and hunter outreach opportunities for big game (including moose), small game, waterfowl, and turkey hunting experiences.
Hunters Experiencing Disabilities
Resident hunters experiencing disabilities can request accommodations for visual and physical disabilities to assist with their hunts.
Hunters in the Military
Colorado residents who are deployed active duty military can apply to purchase leftover hunting licenses or receive a preference point in advance, or apply for a refund if deployed after their purchase. Veterans experiencing disabilities can apply for a lifetime combo fishing hunting license, and apply for accommodation while hunting. Veterans may also apply for big game licenses through the Wounded Warrior program.
Have you completed your hunter education course?
Colorado law requires that individuals born on or after January 1, 1949, must complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or purchasing a Colorado hunting license.
Already taken a hunter education course? Learn more about how to provide proof of completion.
Take a Hunter Education Class
Hunter education classes are available in-person in a classroom setting or online with an in-person completion exam.
Find a Hunter Education ClassGrow Your Archery Skills
Hunters that chose archery as their method of take can grow their skills prior to hunting season by taking a bowhunter education class.
Find a Bowhunter Education ClassBrochures
Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure
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 Brochure
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.
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.