Hunt Big Game

Bull Elk Bugling with cows in background

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.

Hunters: 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 and plan alternative routes and areas to hunt. Check with local land management agencies (Forest Service, BLM, etc) 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.

Hunting Colorado's Public Lands from Colorado Parks & Wildlife on Vimeo.

Qualifying License, Draw Results, Payment Deadlines

All applicants (resident and nonresident), including youth ages 12-17, must purchase a qualifying license prior to applying for the big game primary draw or new secondary draw.

Primary Draw

Sheep and Goat Draw

Results posted by May 1
Payments due by May 15

Big Game Draw

Results posted
between June 1-5
Payments due by June 19

Successful licenses will be mailed after payment is received.

Primary &
Secondary Draw

Primary Draw

Primary draw applications closed April 7, 8 PM MT.

NEW Secondary Draw

The secondary draw replaces the leftover draw.

Secondary draw applications are accepted June 5 - July 7, 8 PM MT.

2020 Leftover & Over-the-Counter Licenses

Leftover Limited Licenses: on sale August 4th, 2020 at 9 AM MT.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Unlimited Licenses: on sale August 6th, 2020 at 9 AM MT.

Office Closures & Continued Service Information

Effective March 20, 2020, Colorado State Parks remain open, but all Colorado Parks and Wildlife visitor centers, service centers and offices will restrict access to the public.

CPW staff will continue to work at offices and visitor centers to answer questions during this time, but doors will remain locked during business hours until further notice. Very limited personal interactions will be allowed.
If you missed the primary big game hunting draw, a secondary draw will open June 5.

To see the most up to date information on closures and cancellations, and on how CPW is responding to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Response page.

Chronic Wasting Disease in Colorado

Chronic wasting disease occurs in free-ranging and captive cervids (members of the “deer” family) in several parts of North America, including Colorado.

CWD is one area of increasing concern across Colorado. We need to find adaptive management tactics for helping prevent further spread of CWD and controlling it in herds that are already affected.

Controlling CWD is critical for the long-term health of our herds. Our quality of life, outdoor heritage, and economic prosperity are dependent on the health and sustainability of these treasures.

More on chronic wasting disease management and prevalence tables.

What's New for the 2020 Colorado Seasons

Watch the video to see an overview of some of the major changes affecting the 2020 big game seasons.

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

Big Game

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

Hunt Big Game

Hunt planning resources

License information​

Learn

​Hunter Education​

Youth Expands!​

Habitat Stamp

Hunters: Know BEFORE You Go

​Big Game Hunting Planner​

Qualifying License, Draw Results, Payment Deadlines

Primary & Secondary Draw

Primary Draw

NEW Secondary Draw

2020 Leftover & Over-the-Counter Licenses

Office Closures & Continued Service Information

​​​Chronic Wasting Disease in Colorado​

What's New for the 2020 Colorado Seasons

Hunting Regulations Brochure​​s

License information

Hunter Education

Youth Expands!

Big Game Hunting Planner

Primary &
Secondary Draw

Chronic Wasting Disease in Colorado

Hunting Regulations Brochures