Landowner Preference Program
The Landowner Preference Program was created to give landowners a preference for hunting licenses. For a landowner to qualify for the program, the land must meet all of the following qualifications as shown by a recorded deed:
Eligible Species
Mule Deer
White-Tailed Deer
Pronghorn
Join the Program
Register Land
To apply, the landowner must register the deeded land by 11:59pm (MST) on December 1 to be eligible for the drawing the following year. Only a deeded landowner, or officer if the land is held in a corporation or other legal entity, may submit a registration. Applicants must own 160 acres of contiguous private agricultural land to qualify for the program. A CPW officer will audit the property to determine if the property meets the contiguous requirements.
Registrations are valid for up to five years. There is no fee to submit a registration.
A landowner may submit a registration online. When you submit an online registration, you will receive a confirmation page AND an email confirmation. If you receive neither of these notices, your registration was not submitted. If this happens, please resubmit your registration. If a registration is submitted after the deadline, the registration will be processed for the following license year plus one.
The landowner should have the following information ready before starting the online registration process:
- Legal deeded name (exactly as it appears on the deed)
- Physical address of land. If the land does not have a physical address, give location/directions.
- Contact information for a deeded owner or officer: Name, mailing address, phone number, and email address
- Game management unit (GMU) which the land is located within (GMU Map)
- Deeded land detail
- Township, Township Flag (N or S), Range, Range Flag (E or W), Section number, and acres in that section (an acreage breakdown is required by section)
- County tax assessor information
- Schedule number, county parcel number, or state parcel number from all the County Tax Assessor’s notice(s) received for the land being registered
- Species information (indicate which species meet the qualifications)
- (Optional) Land Manager information if a landowner wishes to designate a Land Manager at the time of registration. If a landowner wishes to designate a Land Manager AFTER the registration has been submitted, you may use the Designated Land Manager form. Only one land manager may be designated per registration.
If submitting a registration renewal, all of the land details will still need to be completed.
Separate registrations are required for:
- Each legal entity if the land is deeded under different legal entities. Each separate legal entity must qualify for landowner preference independently.
- Each Game Management Unit (GMU) if the land is located in more than one GMU. Each separate legal entity per GMU must qualify for landowner preference independently.
Each separate legal entity must be 160 acres to independently qualify for the program.
- Example: if you own 600 contiguous acres deeded to ABC LLC, and you own another 150 contiguous acres deeded to XYZ LLP; both are in the same GMU but are not contiguous to each other; you will submit one registration for 600 acres for ABC LLC. The 150 contiguous acres deeded to XYZ LLP does not meet the minimum of 160 acres of contiguous land and therefore does not qualify for the LPP.
- Example: You will submit one registration per legal entity per GMU. Example; if you own 600 contiguous acres deeded to ABC LLC, and you own another 150 contiguous acres deeded to ABC LLC; both are in the same GMU but are not contiguous to each other; you will submit one registration for 750 acres.
Registration Questions
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My land is registered in the LPP; AND; SOME of the registered land has been re-deeded. The same immediate family is still the deeded owner of the split off land. What do I do?
Submit a new registration within 30 days of the change. If there is a reduction in the number of applications, the application with the lowest preference point level will be removed. Any vouchers or licenses drawn from the removed application will be void. The new ownership of the re-deeded land may submit a registration if desired. No applications or preference points will be transferred to the new registration.
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I just purchased land that is registered by the previous owner. What do I do?
The new legal entity may submit a new registration if they wish to participate in the program. Applications, preference points, or vouchers are not transferred to a new registration or new ownership. Any vouchers drawn are immediately VOID.
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I have an active registration. I have bought additional land and I need to add it to my existing registration. What do I do?
You will submit a new registration for ALL of the land that you wish to register, listing the land from the original registration as well as the new purchase.
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If I register my land, do I need to allow hunters who I do not know to hunt on my land?
Only hunters who were transferred a voucher have permission to hunt the registered land. If a landowner does not want a particular individual to hunt the land, do not transfer a voucher to that particular individual.
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Do I need to fill out a separate registration for each species?
No. You will be able to indicate multiple species (deer, elk, and/or pronghorn) on one registration
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If my land is registered, can I apply in the regular draw?
Yes. If your land is registered in the program, you (as an individual) may submit an application for the general public drawing.
Deadlines
Task to Complete |
Description |
Date |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Register Land |
Landowners must register land by this date to be eligible for the drawing the following year. |
December 1 |
|
|
Application Deadline |
Deadline for application(s) and leftover choice options is the same date as the application deadline for the general public. |
First Tuesday in April |
|
|
Draw Results |
Colorado Parks and Wildlife mails draw results to landowners. Each species is mailed separately and refunds are mailed separately. |
End of May, beginning of June |
Apply for the Program
After a registration has been submitted and approved online applications will open the first of March and close the first Tuesday in April.
Registered landowners will have a number of applications based upon the number of deeded acres owned and properly registered. Applications are NOT guaranteed a license (voucher); there is still a draw process. Applications will be allocated according to the following registered acres:
- 160 to 639 acres: 1 application
- 1240 to 1839 acres: 2 applications
- 1840 to 2439 acres: 3 applications
- 2440 to 3039 acres: 4 applications
- 3040 to 3639 acres: 5 applications
- 3640 to 4239 acres: 6 applications
- 4240 to 4839 acres: 7 applications
- 4840 to 5439 acres: 8 applications
- 5440 to 6039 acres: 9 applications
- 6040 to 6639 acres: 10 applications
- 6640 to 7239 acres: 11 applications
- 7240 to 7839 acres: 12 applications
- 7840 to 8439 acres: 13 applications
- 8440 to 9039 acres: 14 applications
- 9040 to 9639 acres: 15 applications
- 9640 to 10239 acres: 16 applications
- 10240 to 10839 acres: 17 applications
- 10840 to 11439 acres: 18 applications
- 11440 or more acres: 19 applications
640 to 1239 acres: 1 application and 1 Private-Land-Only application.
Only this tier receives an application that is automatically restricted to Private-Land-Only. There is no way to have the Private-Land-Only restriction removed from that application. If you cannot use a voucher that is restricted to Private-Land-Only, do not submit the application that is restricted to Private-Land-Only. If one of the four hunt code choices on the top of the form is successfully drawn for a voucher, the voucher issued will automatically be restricted to Private-Land-Only. This special restriction does not affect the three Leftover Choice Hunt Codes (bottom of the form).
Completing the Application Form
The application and leftover choice options deadline is the first Tuesday in April. The application packet contains:
- The number of applications based upon the total deeded acres on the registration
- Leftover choice options
- Instructions
Application
After a registration has been submitted, an application packet is mailed to the landowner for each eligible species indicated on the registration. A separate envelope will be mailed for each eligible species.
Hunt Codes
At the top of the form, the landowner will select from the list of available hunt codes printed on the application. Similar to the application process for the general public hunters, there is a 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice, and 4th choice option. The landowner will complete the hunt code choice(s) and sign the certification on the application(s).
Draw Process
Landowner Preference Point applications are NOT a guaranteed license (voucher). There is still a draw process.
For all Game Management Units west of I-25:
- General Quota Pool (Unrestricted): 10% of all general public quota may be issued as a voucher that is valid for the specific hunt code
- Restricted Quota Pool: 10% of all general public quota may be issued as a voucher that is valid for the specific hunt code AND is restricted to Private-Land-Only
For all Game Management Units east of I-25:
- General Quota Pool (Unrestricted): 15% of all general public quota may be issued as a voucher that is valid for the specific hunt code
- Restricted Quota Pool: 10% of all general public quota may be issued as a voucher that is valid for the specific hunt code AND is restricted to Private-Land-Only AND may only be transferred to an immediate family member* or youth**
* Immediate Family is defined in the Definitions section.
** Youth means a person 12 to 17 years old who is an eligible hunter.
The 1st Choice Hunt Code goes through the draw for the General Quota Pool. Any unsuccessful 1st Choice Hunt Codes then go through the draw for the Restricted Quota Pool. If the “Opt Out” box is checked, the 1st Choice Hunt Code will not go through the draw process for the Restricted Quota Pool.
If a 1st Choice Hunt Code is successfully drawn, a voucher for that specific hunt code will be awarded and the preference points for the application will be reset to zero. If a voucher is not awarded for a valid 1st Choice Hunt Code, the application is awarded a preference point.
After the 1st Choice Hunt Code draw is complete any remaining unsuccessful application repeats this same process for 2nd, 3rd and 4th Choice Hunt Codes.
Drawing a voucher as a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th choice does not affect the application’s preference point level. The application can only be successfully drawn for a maximum of one choice.
Beginning of June, landowners will be mailed a draw results packet. The packets and any refund due to the landowner are mailed separately for each species. In the packet will be:
- A confirmation of the draw results of the applications with Leftover Choice Options
- Any voucher(s) that is drawn for that species
Leftover Choice Options (bottom of the form)
After all of the Choice Hunt Codes are complete, any remaining quota is available for the Leftover Hunt Code Choices. The process, as described above, is repeated for the Leftover 1st Choice Hunt Codes, then 2nd Choice Hunt Codes, and then 3rd Choice Hunt Codes. The Leftover Hunt Code Choices can result in multiple vouchers. You may be successful for 0, 1, 2, or 3 Leftover Hunt Code Choices.
Registered landowners may use the leftover choice options (bottom of the form) to request additional vouchers. Landowners may submit up to three (3) leftover choice options (hunt codes) per application received. Landowners may only use the same eligible hunt codes that are printed on the application for the leftover choice options with the exception of the preference point only hunt code. The Leftover Hunt Code Choices do not use or generate preference points.
The landowner may choose if a hunt code choice submitted is for the General Quota Pool only or if the hunt code choice is for both the General Quota Pool and the Restricted Quota Pool. If a landowner does NOT want a specific hunt code choice to be eligible for the Restricted Quota Pool, the landowner indicates this by checking the “Opt Out of Restricted Quota Pool” checkbox.
A Leftover Hunt Code Choice fee is refunded if unsuccessful for the choice.
Application Fees
Fees |
Description |
Cost |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Application Fee |
Fee per application submitted |
$8.00 |
|
|
Female Leftover Choice ((antlerless/doe/cow) |
Landowners applying for vouchers using the leftover choice options |
$25 |
|
|
Either-Sex or Male Leftover Choice (antlered/buck/bull) |
Landowners applying for vouchers using the leftover choice options |
$40 |
Deadlines
Task to Complete |
Description |
Date |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Register Land |
Landowners must register land by this date to be eligible for the drawing the following year. |
December 1 |
|
|
Application Packets |
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will mail application packets to landowerns. Each species is mailed separately. |
Mid-February |
|
|
Application Deadline |
Deadline for application(s) and leftover choice options is the same date as the application deadline for the general public. |
First Tuesday in April |
|
|
Draw Results |
Colorado Parks and Wildlife mails draw results to landowners. Each species is mailed separately and refunds are mailed separately. |
End of May, beginning of June |
Types of Vouchers
All applications for vouchers must be submitted using the paper applications mailed to you.
Landowner Preference Voucher
This voucher can be transferred from the land owner or land manager to an eligible hunter. The hunter may only redeem the voucher for a license with a hunt code that matches the hunt code printed on the voucher. No other hunt codes are allowed.
Private Land Only Voucher
This voucher can be transferred from the land owner or land manager to an eligible hunter. The hunter may only redeem the voucher for a private-land-only (PLO) license with a hunt code that matches the hunt code printed on the voucher.
Family Member/Youth Voucher
This voucher can only be transferred to an immediate family member who is an eligible hunter. The hunter may only redeem the voucher for a private-land-only (PLO) license with a hunt code that matches the hunt code printed on the voucher. Immediate family includes: landowner (self), landowner’s spouse, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, and sibling including in-law and step relations. A youth hunter is a person 12 to 17 years old who is eligible to hunt. Youth do not have to be a family member. All youth are eligible to redeem these vouchers.
Transfering Vouchers
A voucher may be transferred by the landowner, or designated land manger, to any eligible hunter for the purchase of a license. A voucher may only be transferred one time.
The transfer of the vouchers 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, whichever occurs first.
The transfer of a voucher to a hunter includes permission to access and hunt all of the registered land for the entire season for which the voucher was awarded. The landowner cannot discriminate among hunters entering the land or include restrictions other than manner of access (i.e. foot, horseback, vehicular) restrictions necessary to prevent damage to the land.
If a landowner wishes to transfer the voucher to himself or herself, the landowner will sign the voucher as landowner and complete the hunter’s information section. If the landowner transfers the voucher to himself or herself and then cannot use the voucher, the voucher will not be reprinted.
Any voucher that is transferred by any person who is not the landowner or designated land manager is void. Any license purchased with a void voucher is void.
The hunter should make sure that they can legally have the license before acquiring a landowner voucher. If a hunter cannot use a voucher, the voucher becomes void and cannot be reprinted or transferred to another hunter.
Redeeming a Voucher
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How to Redeem a Voucher for a License
The hunter must acquire the voucher directly from the landowner, or designated land manager and take the voucher to a sales agent or Colorado Parks and Wildlife location to be redeemed for a license before hunting. The appropriate license fee(s) are paid at that time.
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Access Information
The hunter must have received proper maps, access points, contact information, or any other pertinent information before acquiring a voucher. CPW cannot release this information to the hunter.
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Preference Points
Redeeming a voucher does not use any of the hunter’s preference points.
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Reports
By redeeming a voucher, the hunter may be required to file any required reports using the forms provided by CPW and submit the reports to CPW within 30 days after the close of the season.
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Restrictions
Some vouchers have special restrictions. These restrictions can come from an application restriction or from a quota pool restriction. Any restriction is clearly stated on the voucher and will also appear on the license and carcass tag after the voucher has been redeemed for a license. Vouchers that are issued from the Restricted Quota Pool will retain their original license category status (List A, List B, or List C) of the original hunt code. This means: If the original hunt code is a List A license, and the voucher is issued from the Restricted Quota Pool (Private-Land-Only), a license issued from the voucher will still be a List A license. License category (List A, List B, or List C) is printed on the voucher as well as in the current Big Game Brochure. Refer to the current Big Game Brochure for full details about List A, List B, and List C.
Advertising a Voucher
A landowner or the designated land manager may advertise a voucher if:
- Contact information for the landowner/designated land manager is listed
- A payment is required to place the advertisement
- Payment is a flat flee
- Is not based upon the sale price
- Is not commission based
- Is not based contingent upon the sale/transfer of the voucher
- There is no advertising payment or fee:
- No fee or commission can be paid contingent upon the sale of the voucher.
- They do not pay a referral fee for connecting a hunter and landowner/designated land manager together for the purposes of transferring a voucher.
An individual/company may accept an advertisement if:
- They do not receive a referral fee for connecting a hunter and landowner/designated land manager together for the purposes of transferring a voucher.
- They do not charge a fee for contact information for a landowner for the purposes of acquiring a voucher
- They do not charge a membership fee to allow access to landowner contact information for the purposes of acquiring a voucher.
- A hunter advertised they are freely looking for a voucher to acquire
Deadlines
Task to Complete |
Description |
Date |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Register Land |
Landowners must register land by this date to be eligible for the drawing the following year. |
December 1 |
|
|
Application Packets |
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will mail application packets to landowerns. Each species is mailed separately. |
Mid-February |
|
|
Application Deadline |
Deadline for application(s) and leftover choice options is the same date as the application deadline for the general public. |
First Tuesday in April |
|
|
Draw Results |
Colorado Parks and Wildlife mails draw results to landowners. Each species is mailed separately and refunds are mailed separately. |
End of May, beginning of June |
Program Requirements
Reports
The landowner is responsible for filing any required reports using the forms provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife within 30 days after the close of the season.
Update Your Information
If you need to update a mailing address, phone number or email address, you may contact CPW at 303.291.7380. For any other changes, the landowner must submit any changes to information provided on the registration in writing to CPW within 30 days.
Disqualification from the Program
A landowner, or designated land manager may be disqualified from the program if they fail to comply with the program’s requirements. Disqualification of a joint or co-owner of property registered with the program will also disqualify all other joint or co-owners of the registered properties from participation.
Any landowner convicted of a violation will be given notice by mail of their possible disqualification from the program. They will have the opportunity to appear and show cause of why they should not be disqualified from participation.
If a landowner is disqualified:
- They may not be able to participate in the program for one to five years.
- Preference points associated with the land are invalidated
- The landowner may not register properties, apply for vouchers or acquire or use any vouchers
- They will be required to re-register their land at the end of their period of disqualification if the