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License | Annual Small Game License |
---|---|
Resident | $35.76 |
Nonresident | $98.92 |
Resident Youth | $1.46 |
Nonresident Youth | $1.46 |
License | Small Game/Fishing Combo |
Resident | $60.05 |
Nonresident | N/A |
Resident Youth | $60.05 |
Nonresident Youth | N/A |
License | Habitat Stamp |
Resident | $12.15 |
Nonresident | $12.15 |
Resident Youth | $12.15 |
Nonresident Youth | $12.15 |
License | Resident | Nonresident | Resident Youth | Nonresident Youth |
---|---|---|---|---|
Annual Small Game License | $35.76 | $98.92 | $1.46 | $1.46 |
Small Game/Fishing Combo | $60.05 | N/A | $60.05 | N/A |
Habitat Stamp | $12.15 | $12.15 | $12.15 | $12.15 |
License | Deer(Whitetail or Mule deer) |
---|---|
Resident | $47.91 |
Nonresident | $481.52* |
Resident Youth | $18.45 |
Nonresident Youth | $122.91* |
License | Elk |
Resident | $66.12 |
Nonresident | $803.39* |
Resident Youth | $18.45 |
Nonresident Youth | $122.91* |
License | Antelope |
Resident | $47.91 |
Nonresident | $481.52* |
Resident Youth | $18.45 |
Nonresident Youth | $122.91* |
License | Bighorn Sheep(Rocky Mountain and Desert Bighorn) |
Resident | $366.13 |
Nonresident | $2686.04* |
Resident Youth | $366.13 |
Nonresident Youth | $2686.04* |
License | Moose |
Resident | $366.13 |
Nonresident | $2686.04* |
Resident Youth | $366.13 |
Nonresident Youth | $2686.04* |
License | Rocky Mountain Goat |
Resident | $366.13 |
Nonresident | $2686.04* |
Resident Youth | $366.13 |
Nonresident Youth | $2686.04* |
License | Black Bear |
Resident | $60.05 |
Nonresident | $251.75* |
Resident Youth | $17.85 |
Nonresident Youth | $59.89* |
License | Turkey - Fall |
Resident | $29.69 |
Nonresident | $183.94 |
Resident Youth | $18.75 |
Nonresident Youth | $123.21 |
License | Turkey - Spring |
Resident | $35.76 |
Nonresident | $183.94 |
Resident Youth | $18.75 |
Nonresident Youth | $123.21 |
License | Big Game Application Processing Fee |
Resident | $8 |
Nonresident | $10 |
Resident Youth | $8 |
Nonresident Youth | $10 |
License | Preference and Weighted Point Fee(Moose, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat only) |
Resident | $50 |
Nonresident | $100 |
Resident Youth | $50 |
Nonresident Youth | $100 |
License | Resident | Nonresident | Resident Youth | Nonresident Youth |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deer(Whitetail or Mule deer) | $47.91 | $481.52* | $18.45 | $122.91* |
Elk | $66.12 | $803.39* | $18.45 | $122.91* |
Antelope | $47.91 | $481.52* | $18.45 | $122.91* |
Bighorn Sheep(Rocky Mountain and Desert Bighorn) | $366.13 | $2686.04* | $366.13 | $2686.04* |
Moose | $366.13 | $2686.04* | $366.13 | $2686.04* |
Rocky Mountain Goat | $366.13 | $2686.04* | $366.13 | $2686.04* |
Black Bear | $60.05 | $251.75* | $17.85 | $59.89* |
Turkey - Fall | $29.69 | $183.94 | $18.75 | $123.21 |
Turkey - Spring | $35.76 | $183.94 | $18.75 | $123.21 |
Big Game Application Processing Fee | $8 | $10 | $8 | $10 |
Preference and Weighted Point Fee(Moose, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat only) | $50 | $100 | $50 | $100 |
Deadlines and draw results |
Date |
Application deadline |
April 2, 2024 |
Application Correction Deadline |
April 2, 2024 |
Secondary Draw Application Deadline |
June 28, 2024 |
License payment deadline (sheep, goat) * |
April 30, 2024 |
License payment deadline (deer, antelope, elk, moose, black bear) * |
June 14, 2024 |
License payment deadline for secondary draw (deer, elk, antelope, black bear) |
July 22, 2024 |
Draw Results (deer, antelope, elk, moose, black bear) |
End of May |
Draw Results (Sheep and Goat) |
April 16, 2024 |
Deadlines and draw results | Date |
Application deadline | April 2, 2024 |
Application Correction Deadline | April 2, 2024 |
Secondary Draw Application Deadline | June 28, 2024 |
License payment deadline (sheep, goat) * | April 30, 2024 |
License payment deadline (deer, antelope, elk, moose, black bear) * | June 14, 2024 |
License payment deadline for secondary draw (deer, elk, antelope, black bear) | July 22, 2024 |
Draw Results (deer, antelope, elk, moose, black bear) | End of May |
Draw Results (Sheep and Goat) | April 16, 2024 |
Get 1 License - List A |
A |
Typically these will cover most the male or either-sex licenses |
Get up to 2 licenses - List B |
A+B or B+B |
Common examples |
Get any number of licenses - List C |
A+B+C+C... or B+B+C+C... |
Common examples |
Get 1 License - List A | A | Typically these will cover most the male or either-sex licenses |
Get up to 2 licenses - List B | A+B or B+B | Common examples |
Get any number of licenses - List C | A+B+C+C... or B+B+C+C... | Common examples |
Hunter opportunity and trophy-quality animals in this area are both doing well. There is a wide variety of big game species to hunt in Colorado. Like everywhere else, the most desired seasons in the famous units will take years to draw, but there are many other units that can be drawn with few preference points, especially for the muzzleloader or archery hunter. The western half of the state is known as the western slope and the eastern half is flat and referred to as the eastern plains. Both have quality deer hunting. Landowner vouchers are a great way to pick up a tag without affecting your preference point totals.
* Includes annual fishing license
All license fees include a $0.25 search-and-rescue fee and a $1.50 fee for the Wildlife Education Fund, if applicable.
* License must be paid for by this day. The payment deadline is final. If Colorado is unable to charge the credit card on file in your account and you fail to pay for your license online, by phone or at a CPW location by the deadline, your license is surrendered, and you lose both the license and any preference points you used to draw.
All license applications, for all species, must now be completed online.
Colorado considers all applicants' first choices before they consider any subsequent choice. Typically most of thehunt choices are filled during this first pass and there is usually no need for a second choice on the application. In some cases, hunt choices may go undersubscribed and be eligible to draw as a second, third, or fourth choice. If an applicant draws any choice other than their first, then they earn an additional point in addition to receiving a tag.
For rocky mountain bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and moose, the tags are awarded differently through a weighted point drawing system.
Preference points: Colorado uses preference points for their drawings. With a preference point system, the tags are allocated to the applicants with the most preference points. There is no maximum number of points that an applicant can accumulate for deer, elk, and antelope. The maximum number of preference points an applicant can have for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain goat and moose is three. There are no preference points for desert sheep.
Weighted points: Every subsequent year that an applicant for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and moose is unsuccessful, they are awarded a weighted point. During the drawing, the application is assigned a random number, which is then divided by the number of weighted points accumulated by the applicant, plus one. This will render a new number. The first tag is issued to the applicant with the lowest new number and so on.
Four hunt choices are allowed per species, but only the first choice is considered for nearly all hunt choices. Most hunt choices are filled before any second, third or fourth choice is considered. If you draw your first choice, then your preference points will be used. If you draw your second choice, you will build an additional preference point in addition to being drawn. Please read “Tag lottery” and “Nonresident allocation” for details on the drawing process.
Preference points in Colorado can only be earned through the primary drawing and in one of two ways:
There are no separate "points-only" purchase periods for Colorado preference points.
Withdrawing or correcting an application is allowed. Corrections must be done by submitting a form online at Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
The previous leftover permit purchase process has now been replaced with the Secondary Draw. Any leftover licenses from the primary draw will now be available for application and are open to anyone, whether they initially participated in the first draw or not. Tags for deer, elk, antelope, and black bear will be available in the SecondaryDraw.
Quick Tips:
After the Secondary draw, and around the first of August, leftover licenses, remaining limited licenses, and reissued licenses will be made available for purchase. These are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis and it can be quite competitive to get a tag. These licenses can be purchased online, in-person at any CPW office, or over the phone by calling 1-800-244-5613.
These major credit cards are accepted for tag sales(Visa, Mastercard, and Discover).
All applicants, including youth, must purchase a qualifying hunting license to apply for the big game draw.
In Colorado, the state offers hunters the chance to receive multiple deer or elk licenses in a single hunting year. While browsing through the regulations you may notice that deer and elk hunts are designated by one of three license types; A, B, C
Hunters may only submit one application per species, per draw, per year. Additional licenses for the same species must be obtained as leftovers, over-the-counter, or special licenses issued by CPW.
Colorado offers a free one-year hunter education requirement waiver, which can be obtained twice in one's lifetime, and is valid from March 1 to March 31. The Apprentice Hunter Certificate is not a license to hunt, but it does allow the holder to purchase hunting licenses for species they would like to hunt without having completed an approved hunter's education course.
The minimum age to hunt big game in Colorado is 12 years old
Colorado law requires that anyone born on or after January 1, 1949, complete an approved hunter education course before applying for or buying a Colorado hunting license.
While hunting in Colorado all hunters must have their hunter's education card on their bodies at all times unless they have had their hunter's education verified by a CPW employee.
Colorado does not require a specific bowhunter education
Required for all rifle and muzzleloader hunts, excluding sheep and mountain goat. 500 square inches above the waist. A fluorescent orange or pink hat is also required.
Archery: Hunters may not use crossbows during the archery seasons. Bows must have a minimum draw weight of 35 pounds. There is no limit on maximum let-off. No scopes or electronic devices can be attached to the bow. Only broadheads wider than ⅞” are legal.
Muzzleloader: Muzzleloaders must be a minimum of .40 caliber for deer and antelope and .50 caliber for elk and moose. Only loose-form powder that is not smokeless or pelletized is allowed. Sabots are not legal in Colorado. No scopes are allowed, regardless of the magnification. No electronic devices can be attached to the muzzleloader.
Rifle: Only centerfire rifles are legal.
Residency status for the state of Colorado is available to members of the military and their dependents who are under permanent orders within the state.
Along with residency perks, active duty members who are stationed in Colorado, stationed in Colorado and deployed, or who are Colorado residents can purchase leftover licenses prior to the public sale of said licenses. Additionally, active duty members who are stationed in Colorado and currently deployed outside of the U.S. can apply for preference points to use in future draws. The application period for this is generally available in July and must be postmarked by the first Tuesday in January. For members who are deployed after drawing a tag or purchasing a license, they can apply for a full refund or request that preference points be returned.
Military veterans who are disabled and residents of Colorado can apply for a lifetime fishing and small game combo license. This is available to veterans who can provide proof of a 60% service-connected disability as rated by the VA. Purple Heart recipients are also eligible for application.
Colorado also sets aside a number of hunting licenses each year (100 of each: female deer, elk, and antelope and 100 total of male deer, elk, and antelope) to be made available to members of the Wounded Warrior or Safe Harbor programs. A list of requirements include:
Nonresidents are limited to up to 25% of the total number of tags per hunt code for deer, elk, antelope, and black bear unless that hunt code has taken six or more preference points to draw
If a hunt code has taken more than six preference points to draw over the previous three license draws(1 year lag), then the nonresident allocation will be limited to 20% of the total number of tags
Nonresidents are limited to 10% of the total number of sheep, moose, and goat tags
One point is earned per species category (except Desert Bighorn Sheep) when unsuccessful in drawing your first choice hunt.
Applying for a point-only option in the primary drawing.
Parties may apply for all species except moose and desert bighorn sheep
The party application will use the preference points of the group member with the lowest number of points
Residents and nonresidents may apply together, except for sheep and goat
When residents and nonresidents apply together and draw, the tags are given out of the nonresident quota
The number of applicants within a group is unlimited for deer, elk, and antelope
The maximum number of group applicants for Rocky Mountain sheep and goat is two
If you harvest a desert sheep or moose, then you can no longer apply for that species
If you harvest any mountain goat or a Rocky Mountain bighorn of at least ½ curl, then you have to wait five years until you are permitted to apply again
There are no waiting periods for deer, elk, and antelope
Youths receive 100% preference in the Secondary Draw
Regular application fees still apply
Participation in the primary draw is not required
Qualifying licenses are required
No preference points are used in the Secondary Draw
Party apps are not allowed
Draw a tag in the public draw.
Purchase an over-the-counter license.
Purchase a leftover license.
Purchase a landowner voucher.
Archery antelope tags are available over the counter in many units.
Rifle and archery elk tags are available over the counter in many units.
Colorado has a landowner voucher program in place
Landowners must draw vouchers in a separate drawing exclusively for landowners
Landowner vouchers are valid for deer, elk, and antelope
Landowner vouchers are transferable one time only
There are no youth-only seasons available
Up to 15% of the doe antelope, either-sex deer, and antlerless-elk tags are reserved for youth ages 12-17
Youth hunters receive a discount on their deer, elk, and antelope licenses
Youth applicants receive preference over adult applicants for every tag in the Secondary Draw
To be eligible for a refund or restoration of preference points a license must turned into a CPW location or postmarked 30 days prior to the start of the season (14 days for Turkey) for which the license is valid for
A $15 processing fee will be charged on most refunds. The $15 processing fee will not be charged for restoration of preference point requests, refunds to youth licenses, extreme medical circumstances, death of the license holder or license holder's immediate family member, military deployment, jury duty, or CPW error.
Any request for refund or preference point restoration after the 30-day deadline will be limited to extreme medical circumstances involving the license holder or a license holder's immediate family member, death of the license holder or license holder's immediate family member, military deployment, or jury duty.
Individuals must still choose between a refund or restoration of preference points; both will not be awarded
Must be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and a Colorado resident or stationed in Colorado
Must be returning from a post-Sept. 11, 2001 overseas contingency operation
Must be assigned to a military medical treatment facility at the time of application
Must be a member of the U.S. Armed Services Wounded Warrior or Safe Harbor Program