Secondary Draw
Apply to Hunt
Bear
Hunters can submit one application to hunt bear.
Deer
Hunters can submit one application to hunt deer.
Elk
Hunters can submit one application to hunt elk.
Pronghorn
Hunters can submit one application to hunt pronghorn.
How to Apply
Hunters can submit one application per species in each the primary and the secondary draw. Applications can include up to four hunt choices to maximize your opportunity to draw a license and hunt. Hunters can apply by logging into their account at cpwshop.com or by phone at 1-800-244-5613.
What You Need to Apply
Government Issued Identification
You’ll need to have government issued identification to purchase a hunting license.
See all Accepted Forms of IdentificationSocial Security or Taxpayer Identification Number
A Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number is required for hunters age 12 and older, per federal law.
Hunter Education
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.
Take a Hunter Education ClassHabitat Stamp
All hunters aged 18 through 64 must purchase a habitat stamp with their license.
Learn More About the Colorado Wildlife Habitat ProgramQualifying License
Qualifying license purchases must be completed prior to applying for the big game draws. A qualifying license purchase and application for the big game draw can be completed in the same transaction but the qualifying license must be added to the cart first.
Learn More About Qualifying LicensesComplete Your Application
First Time Applicants
Hunters (resident and nonresident) can apply for the secondary draw whether or not they applied and were successful for the primary draw. Hunters can submit one application per species to participate in the secondary draw. Applications can include up to four hunt choices to maximize your opportunity to draw a license and hunt.
- Preference points are not used or awarded in this draw.
- You cannot apply as a group in this draw.
Remaining Licenses
Any licenses remaining after the secondary draw (except for Ranching for Wildlife licenses) will be placed on the Leftover List.
Youth Applicants
Youth hunters include resident and nonresident hunters aged 12 to 17. Youth hunters participate in the draw. Youth hunters have 100% preference in the secondary draw on all hunt codes available. The secondary draw processes all youth application choices prior to processing adult choices.
- Youth hunters 12-15 years old must be accompanied by a mentor.
- At age 11, youth may buy or apply for a license if they will turn 12 before the end of season on the license. Youth cannot hunt with the license until they turn 12.
Applicants Experiencing Disabilities
Hunters with disabilities may request accommodation permits to participate in wildlife recreation activities, including hunting.
First Responder Lifetime Fishing and Small Game Combo License
Colorado resident first responders who have a permanent occupational disability or disease as a result of their official duties are eligible to apply for a free lifetime fishing or small game combo license and parks pass. The small game and fishing combo license counts as a qualifying license for the primary draw.
Assistance Applying for the Draw
CPWshop.com is fully ADA compliant, but if you are having difficulty using the website please call in to the phone sales line at 1-800-244-5613.
Military Applicants
Test Out of Hunter Education
US military personnel including active duty, reserve duty, veterans, and National Guard can take the Colorado Test-Out Exam to complete the requirements for hunter education instead of taking a class. The class is online-only and timed. You can only take the test once. If you don't pass, you must take a regular hunter education class.
Refund Requests After Deployment
If an active duty member is deployed after applying for a hunting license, they can request a refund. For more information, please contact Limited Licensing at 303-291-7208.
Residency While Stationed in Colorado
Active duty military personnel stationed in Colorado and their family members can qualify to purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the Colorado resident rates.
Veterans' Lifetime Fishing and Small Game Combo License
Colorado Resident military veterans who are disabled are eligible to apply for a lifetime fishing and small game combo license. This license counts as a qualifying license for the secondary draw.
Application Fees
Residency status determines most CPW fees. When you submit your application, you will only be charged the application processing fee per species for the primary draw.
Your credit card information will be kept on file and only charged the license fee if you are awarded a license from the draw(s).
Pay For Your License
Doublecheck Your Payment Option
Doublecheck that the credit card on file in your CPWShop.com account is up to date after you apply for the draws.
Your Credit Card Will Automatically Be Charged
Your card on file will be initially charged after your draw results are posted.
If the credit card on file is declined, you will have until the payment deadline to provide an alternate form of payment. An attempt will be made to notify you in the event that your card is declined.
Payment Deadlines:
- Spring turkey - February 28, 2024
- Rocky Mountain and desert bighorn sheep, mountain goat - April 30, 2024
- Primary Draw (big game) - June 14, 2024
- Secondary Draw (bear, deer, elk and pronghorn) - July 22, 2024
- Fall turkey - June 19, 2024
Successful Payments
All licenses will be mailed after the payment is received.
Failure to Pay by the Deadline
If we are unable to charge the credit card on file in your CPWShop.com account and you fail to pay for your license online, by phone or at a CPW location by the deadline for the species you applied for your license will be surrendered and removed from your record.
Make an Application Correction
Application corrections or modifications allow applicants to update their draw applications up until the application deadline.
You may modify the following items through an application correction:
- Application type: Group Leader, Group Member, or Individual
- Hunt code(s)
- Opting in or out for a preference point for Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose
- Correcting hunter education information
Online
- Log into your account via CPWShop.com.
- Review your customer details. If all your information is correct, please click the “Confirm Details” at the bottom of the screen.
- From the menu on the left-hand side of your "Account Summary" page click on "Draws" listed under "My Orders".
- Listed under “Draws” you will find all your big game applications. Please click “Modify Application” for the application you wish to modify or correct. Proceed with your modifications and complete the transaction by clicking “Confirm Choices”.
- Review your application hunt code modifications and click “Add to Cart”. If you do not have a manually verified hunter education on file, the system will prompt you to enter your hunter education information again.
- Please review your application hunt code modifications again and click “Proceed to Checkout”. Please note that discount codes do not apply.
- Please review your application modifications. If everything is correct, please scroll through the “Terms and Conditions” and click the radio button to agree.
- To finish, click “Purchase” to submit your modified application.
- You will receive an emailed confirmation receipt to the email address on file.
Over the Phone
Application modifications can also be done over the phone by contacting our license vendor at 1-800-244-5613 or 1-888-572-7237.
Surrendering Your License
Once the secondary draw is complete, CPW will send emails to customers who are successful in the draw and provide them with a short period when they can decide to surrender their license if they no longer want it, removing the license from the customer’s account. The deadline for this surrender period is listed in the email you receive. If you do not follow the instructions in the email and surrender the license by the deadline, CPW will charge the credit card on file in your account as we normally would.
Brochures
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