Guidance on Registration
New for 2024, the Harvest Information Program (HIP) is now available through CPW’s licensing system. When you purchase your small game license on our website, just add HIP to your cart, along with other permits you may need. Once you select HIP, you will need to complete your HIP registration by answering a series of questions.
The 2024 HIP registration process opens on March 1, 2024. Complete your HIP online at cpwshop.com. In Spring of 2024, hunters will also be able to use the automated phone service which is currently in development. We do not have an accurate ETA for the automated phone system at this time.
For hunters needing a 2023 HIP registration to hunt in March of 2024, please use the existing live operator system at 1-866-265-6447 (1-866-COLOHIP). This service will remain open through the end of March 2024, but only for the 2023 HIP registrations. The existing website at colohip.com will be disabled on March 1, 2024.
As of 2023: Furbearer hunters, if you hunt furbearers only (excluding coyotes) and DO NOT hunt waterfowl or small game in Colorado, you do not need to register with HIP. Hunters for all other species of small game and coyotes must register with HIP before hunting small game during the 2024-2025 season.
Are You HIP?
Colorado requires all small game hunters to sign up with HIP, to help Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) better estimate harvest for species that are difficult to address through a general small game survey.
HIP is a joint U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)/CPW program designed to improve small game and migratory bird harvest estimates.
In 1998, state wildlife agencies asked the USFWS to develop a nationwide sign up program for all migratory bird hunters. State biologists were concerned that federal harvest estimates were not providing adequate harvest information using the traditional survey methodology.
HIP for the 2024-2025 Season
When you buy your license online at CPWShop or at a CPW office:
- You can add a HIP registration by answering yes to the question "Do you require a HIP permit?". If you click no, you will still have the option to add the HIP product in the future.
- When you complete your purchase, a HIP validation will print on your license.
When you buy your license at an external sales agent:
- After you buy your license but before you hunt small game, you must go online to cpwshop, log in to your account, and add HIP to your cart to access the HIP questionnaire or go in to any CPW office that sells licenses and complete the survey to add the HIP registration to your account.
- In this case, HIP will not print on your paper license, but a HIP registration will be present on your account and print on future licenses.
HIP Registration is Needed
- If you will hunt small game (including migratory birds and coyotes) in Colorado during the 2024-2025 seasons, you must get a HIP number before hunting.
- Hunters planning to use their small game license to hunt or trap will need to obtain their 2024 HIP number before they can legally hunt or trap.
Hunters who do not have a HIP registration on their account may be warned and then ticketed for non-compliance with the program. The fine is $70.52 and, in addition, 5 points will be assessed against your hunting privileges.
HIP Registration is NOT Needed
- If you will not hunt small game (meaning you will only hunt furbearers, excluding coyotes) in Colorado during the 2024-2025 season, you do NOT need to participate in HIP.
- If you are using your small game license as a qualifying license for the big game applications only, and will not hunt small game in Colorado in 2024, DO NOT register with HIP.
- Spring turkey hunters do not need to get a HIP number.
Band-tailed Pigeon and Sandhill Crane Hunters
While you are purchasing your small game license and completing HIP, please remember to add a band-tailed pigeon and/or sandhill crane permit to your cart prior to completing your purchase, if applicable.
Furbearer Hunters
As of 2023, hunters that pursue furbearers (excluding coyotes) are no longer required to register with HIP. Furbearer hunters that hold a furbearer license or furbearer harvest permit may be contacted to complete the furbearer harvest survey. Data from the furbearer harvest survey will be used to gain a better understanding of the number of these types of animals that are harvested each year. The efforts to closely track furbearer harvest will help CPW biologists maintain self-sustaining furbearer populations and allow CPW to continue to provide hunters with diverse opportunities for recreational harvest.
As another aid to tracking harvest numbers, the Fur Harvester Log is available to hunters. Fur harvesters may photocopy or print multiple copies of this form to record their hunts and harvests throughout each season.
