Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Spring Turkey Over-the-Counter and Leftover Licenses are on Sale

Purchase options include: online, by phone at 1-800-244-5613 or at CPW locations and authorized sales agents.

If available, returned limited spring turkey licenses will appear on the Reissue Preview List at 11am MT (and each Tuesday afterwards). Each Wednesday reissued licenses are available for sale at 11am.

For more information, see the License Refund, Reissue and Exchanges page.

Spring season runs through approximately May 31.

Fall Limited License Applications and License Sales

Fall turkey applications open May 1 (online or by phone -800-244-5613).

Deadline is May 31 at 8pm MT. Fall turkey and youth fall turkey licenses count as "qualifying licenses" for the secondary big game limited licenses draw.

Draw results will be posted June 5. Payment deadline June 19.

Over-the-counter fall turkey licenses go on sale June 20 online, by phone and in person. Fall leftover and reissued licenses go on sale August 1 at 9am MT.

Major 2024 Changes:

The definition of adult novice hunter was amended. A novice adult hunter is a Colorado resident age 18 or older, who has either no turkey license purchase history, only held a turkey license(s) in the current or previous year, or has no turkey license purchase history in the previous five years.
Multiple GMU boundaries have been modified. GMUs 8, 123, 124, 125, 128, 129, 135 and 191 are affected. For more details, go to pages 9-12 in the brochure.
Permit deadline extended for Higel and Rio Grande SWAs. The deadline for access permit applications has been extended from January 31 to March 31 annually to allow more time for people to submit their application after draw results are posted. For details, go to "Special Land-Use Rules" on page 9 of the brochure.
City-issued permit required in City of Fort Collins Natural Areas. Hunters using City of Fort Collins' Bobcat Ridge Natural Area (in GMU 20, spring season only) or Gateway Natural Area (in GMU 191) to access other lands must have a city-issued permit. For details, go to "Special Land-Use Rules" on page 9 of the brochure.

Read the Turkey Regulations brochure "What's New: 2024" section, and see the season dates and other important turkey hunting information.

'Livin' the Wildlife' Colorado Wild Turkeys Video

The wild turkey is beloved among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The wild turkey's springtime mating displays are one of the most exciting and stunning events in nature. Yet, these iconic birds only exist today because of dedicated conservation programs. This video provides an overview of the wild turkey's mating behavior and Colorado Parks and Wildlife's long-standing efforts to conserve this amazing species. The video features both Rio Grande turkeys, which were introduced to Colorado in the 1980s, and the native Merriam's turkeys.

Turkey Hunting in Colorado

Turkey hunting is growing in popularity throughout North America, and Colorado offers exceptional hunting opportunities for two sub-species of these remarkable birds. In this video, hunters will learn safety tips, techniques and strategies for hunting both the native Merriam’s wild turkeys of the mountains and the Rio Grande wild turkeys of the Plains.

Turkey Hunting 101 Clinics

If you are a novice turkey hunter and are interested in learning more, a free Turkey Hunting 101 clinic can give you a place to start. Hunting tips, how to obtain a license, calling techniques and gear used by the Colorado turkey hunter are covered. Learn about Rios and Merriam's; how to roost a bird and learn to strut your stuff.

To find dates, locations and registration information, see outreach clinics.