Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Hunt Big Game

Hunt planning resources

License information

Learn

Hunter Education

Hunter Education courses are offered throughout the year and throughout the state. Find a course at a place and time to fit your schedule.

Youth Expands!

One of the foremost goals at CPW is to expand youth opportunity and turn first-time hunters into lifelong sportspersons. Read more.

Habitat Stamp

Anyone aged 18 through 64 must buy a habitat stamp in order to buy or apply for a hunting or fishing license. Read more.

2022 Preference Point Issue

This issue features preference-point data and statewide herd-population estimates to guide big-game hunters in applying for limited big-game licenses. This is a must-have item for any Colorado hunter. Purchase your copy today!

Know BEFORE You Go

Closures of areas can change quickly (even daily or hourly) and your hunting destination or access route may be affected. Prior to license purchase, scouting or hunting, it is your responsibility to learn about fires, closures & alerts. Plan alternative routes & areas to hunt. Check with local land management agencies before heading out. For more information, including contact numbers, visit the Fire, Road Closures and Alerts page.

Big Game Hunting Planner

The Big Game Hunting Planner is an easy-to-read, two-page summary of dates, fees, application dates & deadlines. Print for an easy reference.

Colorado Game Management Unit (GMU) Videos

In this video series, Colorado’s wildlife officers answer frequently asked questions, discuss access, describe animal movement, and more. Visit Colorado Outdoors Online to view the entire series.

Big Game License Distribution Public Process

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is considering changes to policies and regulations that direct the distribution of big game hunting licenses in Colorado. To help inform this process, CPW is gathering input from residents and nonresidents interested in big game hunting.

Public meeting dates will be posted as soon as the dates have been finalized. To learn more about the big game license distribution public process, please read the frequently asked questions.

Prepare for Colorado's Primary Limited License Draw

Primary Draw Results and Payment Deadlines

The primary draw application deadline has passed. Draw results for bear, deer, elk, moose and pronghorn will be posted in your CPWshop.com account by June 3, 2022.

Payment deadlines:

May 3, 12 pm MT. - Sheep/Goat

June 17, 12 pm MT - Big game (bear, deer, elk, moose and pronghorn)

Successful licenses are mailed after payment is received.

Find a Place to Hunt

Colorado has a wealth of public land hunting opportunities. If you've found a hunt code, but need a place to hunt, check out the Colorado Hunting Atlas to see all available public land hunting opportunities in the Game management unit (GMU) that you are considering.

The Colorado Hunting Atlas allows users to view big game concentrations and game management units displayed on top of street maps, USGS topographic maps or high-resolution color aerial photography.

Prepare for the Secondary Limited License Draw!

Secondary draw applications will be accepted starting on June 21, 2022. For more information, please read the Colorado Big Game Brochure.

Need help?

If you need help with your big game application, please call a Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunt planner at (303) 291-7526.

What's New for the 2022 Colorado Seasons

Colorado Hunting Regulations Brochures

Be sure to read the entire "what's new" page in the brochures before purchasing a license or hunting this fall.

Sheep & Goat Brochure

Big Game Brochure

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE