Colorado Elk Hunting 2026

Application Deadlines Non-Resident Fees Resident Fees Big Game Season Dates Draw Result Dates State Contact Information

Primary Draw: April 1, 2025
Secondary Draw: June 30, 2025
Unlimited/Leftover Licenses: August 5, 2025
Reissued Licenses Begin: August 13, 2025

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Small Game Hunt License (Required to Apply)	$101.54
Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (Under Age 18, Required to Apply)	$1.50
Habitat Stamp (Required to Apply, Adults Only)	$12.47
Draw Application (Per Species)	$11.00
Preference Point Fee (Per Species for Sheep, Moose, and Mtn Goat)	$100.00
Preference Point Fee (Per Species for Deer, Elk, and Antelope)	$0.00
Youth Preference Point Fee (All Species)	$0.00
All non-resident licenses include an annual fishing license valid through March 31
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Rocky / Desert Bighorn Sheep	$2,758.49
Shiras Moose	$2,758.49
Mountain Goat	$2,758.49
Elk (Bull, Cow, or Either Sex)	$825.03
Deer	$494.47
Antelope	$494.47
Black Bear	$294.75
Mountain Lion	$825.03
Turkey	$188.86
Youth Big Game (Deer, Elk, and Antelope)	$126.18
Youth Black Bear	$61.51
Youth Turkey	$126.49

UP-FRONT FEES
Annual Small Game Hunt License (Required to Apply)	$36.68
Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (Under Age 18, Required to Apply)	$1.50
Habitat Stamp (Required to Apply, Adults Only)	$12.47
Draw Application (Per Species)	$8.00
Preference Point Fee (Per Species for Sheep, Moose, and Mtn Goat)	$50.00
Preference Point Fee (Per Species for Deer, Elk, and Antelope)	$0.00
Youth Preference Point Fee (All Species)	$0.00
POST DRAW FEES (IF SUCCESSFUL)
Rocky / Desert Bighorn Sheep	$375.97
Shiras Moose	$375.97
Mountain Goat	$375.97
Elk (Bull, Cow, or Either Sex)	$67.86
Deer	$49.15
Antelope	$49.15
Black Bear	$61.62
Mountain Lion	$61.62
Turkey (Spring)	$36.68
Turkey (Fall)	$30.44
Youth Big Game (Deer, Elk, and Antelope)	$18.90
Youth Black Bear	$18.29
Youth Turkey	$19.21

COLORADO ELK SEASON DATES
Archery	Sept 2 – Sept 30, 2025
Muzzleloader	Sept 13 – Sept 21, 2025
Early Rifle (Limited Units)	Oct 1 – Oct 11, 2025
1st Rifle	Oct 15 – Oct 19, 2025
2nd Rifle	Oct 25 – Nov 2, 2025
3rd Rifle	Nov 8 – Nov 16, 2025
4th Rifle	Nov 19 – Nov 23, 2025
COLORADO DEER SEASON DATES
Archery	Sept 2 – Sept 30, 2025
Muzzleloader	Sept 13 – Sept 21, 2025
Early Rifle (Unit-Specific)	Sept 6 – Sept 14, 2025
1st Rifle	Oct 15 – Oct 19, 2025
2nd Rifle	Oct 25 – Nov 2, 2025
3rd Rifle	Nov 8 – Nov 16, 2025
4th Rifle	Nov 19 – Nov 23, 2025
COLORADO ANTELOPE SEASON DATES
Archery	Aug 15 – Sept 20, 2025
Muzzleloader	Sept 21 – Sept 29, 2025
Rifle	Oct 4 – Oct 12, 2025
COLORADO MOOSE SEASON DATES
Archery	Sept 6 – Sept 20, 2025
Muzzleloader	Sept 13 – Sept 21, 2025
Rifle	Oct 1 – Oct 14, 2025
COLORADO MOUNTAIN GOAT SEASON DATES
Archery (Unit-Specific)	Sept 2 – Oct 31, 2025
Rifle (Unit-Specific)	Sept – Oct 2025 (varies by GMU)
COLORADO BEAR SEASON DATES
Archery	Sept 2 – Sept 30, 2025
Muzzleloader	Sept 13 – Sept 21, 2025
Sep Rifle	Sept 2 – Sept 30, 2025
1st Rifle	Oct 15 – Oct 19, 2025
2nd Rifle	Oct 25 – Nov 2, 2025
3rd Rifle	Nov 8 – Nov 16, 2025
4th Rifle	Nov 19 – Nov 23, 2025
COLORADO DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP SEASON DATES
Rifle	Nov 1 – Nov 30 2025
COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP SEASON DATES
Archery	Aug - Dec 2025 (by GMU)
Rifle	Aug – Dec 2025 (by GMU)
COLORADO MOUNTAIN LION SEASON DATES
General Season	Nov 24, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026
COLORADO TURKEY SEASON DATES
Spring Turkey	Apr 12 – May 31, 2025
Fall Turkey	Sept 1 – Oct 5, 2025

Disclaimer: Season dates vary by GMU, weapon type, and draw status. Always confirm with Colorado Parks & Wildlife: https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/SeasonDates.aspx

YEAR	SHEEP & GOAT	MOOSE	ELK	DEER	ANTELOPE	BEAR	SECONDARY DRAW
2025	April 16	May 27	May 29	May 28	May 30	May 27	July 7
2024	April 16	May 28	May 29	May 29	May 30	May 28	July 8
2023	April 18	May 30	June 1	May 31	June 2		July 7
2022	April 19	May 31	June 3	June 2	June 2		July 7
2021	April 20	May 25	May 26	May 25	May 26		July 6
2020	May 1	June 1	June 4	June 3	June 4
2019	May 3		June 5	June 5	June 5
2018	May 4

Colorado Division of Wildlife

6060 Broadway

Denver, CO 80216

ph. 303-297-1192

APPLY CHECK POINTS

For now, Colorado is still home to the largest free-ranging elk population in the world. At the heart of Colorado’s elk habitat is an endless supply of oak, aspen, and pine-covered ridges broken up by scattered high mountain meadows, lakes, and winding streams. If that scenic backdrop occupies your dreams at night, then you absolutely need to be planning a hunt here.

The most talked about topic for elk in Colorado the last couple years has been the wolf reintroduction. However, CPW has put a halt on that program while the state struggles to keep up with mitigation claims that blew past a million dollars in 2025 alone. It turns out the only thing that wolves like eating more than moose and elk is cattle. Shocker, right? There is no record on wolf-on-elk or wolf-on-moose predation, but there is a record of wolf-on-cattle predation—and it’s high. Right now, the presence of cattle may be the only thing keeping wildlife predation at lower levels.

UNIT	UNIT DESCRIPTION
1	The area is located on the northwestern edge of the state, right along the Utah border. It has a small elk population, mainly in the Diamond Mountains. Access can be tricky, as the Dinosaur National Monument and National Wildlife Refuge surround much of the public land. The only real vehicle access is from Utah from a few county and two-track roads. There are a few mature bulls in the 330-340" range, but they tend to move back and forth between Utah and Colorado during the rut. For public land hunters, this can be a tough hunt, especially given the high number of points needed to draw a tag. Your best bet for success is to secure private land access before applying or, if you’re hunting public land, be prepared to put in plenty of scouting and be in excellent shape to navigate the wilderness study area.
2	Located in the northwest corner of the state, this large public land unit is primarily low-elevation BLM land with good road access throughout. The terrain is mostly pinyon/juniper mixed with open sage flats. While there are some private land restrictions scattered across the unit, overall, access to public land is solid. Mature bulls in the 340-350"+ range are still present, but hunters will need to cover a lot of ground and put in plenty of time behind the glass in order to find the right one in this expansive area. Low tag quotas across all hunts makes this a fun and enjoyable unit for anyone that has 30 or more points.
10	Northwest corner of the state. Big unit with a good amount of public land but also some checkerboarded private land that can limit access. Population has been steady to slightly increasing in recent years with good calf recruitment. The 2022/2023 winter did not affect this area much as it has some good low elevation country for wildlife to winter. This unit is still one of the top trophy units in the state. Lower elevation unit that consists largely of pinyon/juniper/oak with big sage flats. A lot of public access roads across most of the unit with good glassing to locate elk if they are not talking. Archery hunters can have good success checking waterholes and sitting water as this unit can be extremely dry in early fall, as long as the monsoon rains don’t come in. Most of the elk are concentrated north of I-40 at higher elevations during the fall. Great hunt for 340" class bulls with potential for bigger, especially on a good moisture year.
40	West edge of the state along the Utah line. Most of the suitable summer range elk habitat consists of private land with some public land intermixed. Mostly oak and aspen mesas with deep canyons that transition into pinyon/juniper and sage openings in the lower elevations. During the later rifle hunts, elk usually start to transition into more public BLM land, but it can be difficult to access this country with most of the roads coming from the top down. Plan on a physical hunt, especially during the later seasons if you don’t have private land access. Public land hunters will work hard and aren’t guaranteed to find any of the bigger bulls on public land during any season. Quality in this unit has dropped off in recent years. Even on private land outfitted hunts, a 340" bull is tough to turn up anymore. Outfitters are often booked years in advance on the better ranches in this unit, so if going outfitted, plan several years ahead.
49	Located almost in the center of the state, this unit consists of some steep, roadless high country with a mix of timbered ridges and open, grassy parks and hillsides. This hunt can be physically demanding, so horseback or experienced backpack hunters will have the upper hand. A large portion of the southern end of the unit lies within the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Area, which is prime for archery, muzzleloader, and first rifle seasons. There are some access roads, like Weston Pass, and ATV trails that lead to marked hiking and horse trails. Early-season hunts offer the best chances of success as the transition range becomes thick with timber later on. This unit is ideal for mid-range point holders who may never draw top-tier units. The elk population is stable, with bulls ranging from 300-320" and the occasional larger bull being taken.
61	Southwest part of the state on the south side of the Uncompahgre Plateau. This large public land unit covers the southern half of the Uncompahgre Plateau, featuring deep oak and aspen canyons with dark timber in the upper elevations. The terrain is thick and can make spotting elk challenging, especially if they aren’t vocal during early-season hunts. While the quality of bulls has declined in recent years, it appears to be stabilizing, with recent harvests indicating some better bulls. Bulls in the 300-330" range are becoming more common. Access to most areas is good via roads or four-wheelers, though deep canyons can be tough to reach. As the second, third, and fourth rifle seasons progress, elk begin to transition to lower elevations, with some moving in from neighboring units for the winter. It’s a fun hunt with plenty of elk, though trophy bull quality is still not what it once was.
66	Southwest part of the state on the southern half of the Gunnison Basin. This is a great public land unit for bulls in the 280-320" range. During the early seasons, most elk are found in the higher elevation wilderness or roadless areas, requiring backpack or horseback hunting. The elk population is healthy, offering plenty of opportunities for a fun hunt. The summer terrain is mostly high-elevation timbered slopes with heavy beetle-kill deadfall forests, and elk aren’t spending as much time in the alpine basins as they once did. Lower elevations consist of rolling sage hills with scattered conifer patches. Private land can become an issue when elk move to their winter range, but there’s enough public land to still find success. Some elk migrate out of the unit into adjacent areas, making the second, third, and fourth rifle seasons more challenging for mature bulls. Archery and muzzleloader seasons offer less pressure and a better chance at older age-class bulls.
76	Located in the southwest part of the state within the Weminuche Wilderness, this high-elevation unit is nearly entirely composed of wilderness and USFS land. It boasts a solid elk population, with most elk summering above 10,000’ and gradually moving to lower timbered slopes in September and early October. While many of the main trails along valley bottoms are cleared, more remote trails up the timbered slopes are increasingly impassable due to beetle-kill fallen trees, so be prepared to navigate deadfall throughout your hunt. Some elk begin to migrate off the unit during the second and third rifle seasons, making it harder to find mature bulls. Quality in this unit tends to be a bit lower, with most bulls falling in the 280-300" range, but the high bull-to-cow ratio makes this a very enjoyable hunt.
201	Small unit in the far northwest corner of the state. This unit consists of a couple of low-elevation mountains and is mostly public land with high elk densities. A few roads run through the area, making it accessible and suitable for hunters of all skill levels. The moderate terrain ensures that the hunt isn’t overly physically demanding. It’s one of the top hunts in the state for chasing 330-350"+ bulls, especially if you’re among the top point holders. However, non-residents with fewer than 31 points should steer clear of this unit.

UNIT	UNIT DESCRIPTION
12, 23, 24 north of the north fork of the White River	All hunts in this unit are limited to a draw due to elevated winter mortality from 2023 winter. Located in the northwest part of the state, this unit is mostly wilderness or roadless backcountry. The high-elevation areas are primarily USFS public land, but much of the low-elevation terrain is private and difficult to access. The landscape is made up of scattered conifer and aspen stands, along with parks and meadows. The White River herd, one of the largest migratory elk herds in the world, ensures that finding elk isn’t too challenging, but bulls over 300" can be harder to come by. Even with limited rifle tags, hunter crowding will still be a concern. Archery and muzzleloader seasons are ideal for public land hunters since the elk are still on USFS land, but once pressure drives them out, they move onto heavily private land. The average bull tends to be 2-3 years old. Keep in mind, the first and fourth rifle seasons have different unit groupings.
18, 181	Limited license draw for non-resident archery, muzzleloader, first rifle, and fourth rifle. North central part of the state. Mostly public land with a limited amount of roads to gain access to USFS land. Almost the entire unit 18 got burned up from the East Troublesome fire. There is a lot of roadless country that will require backpack or horseback miles in. Elk are doing well in this unit and should continue to do well until the burn area gets mature and aspen stands become impenetrable. Most hunting is mainly by foot or horseback, and there could be some good bulls available that are easier to glass in burn scar areas. 300"+ potential bulls are not unrealistic as this area seems to be getting better.
20	North central part of the state north of Denver. This large unit presents challenging access due to private land, a national park, and wilderness areas. A significant portion of the elk spend their summers in Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding private land. While the elk population in unit 20 is smaller compared to other Colorado units, it is steadily growing, aided by vegetation recovery from the past fire. During later season hunts in December or January, most elk are found on private land and city open space areas. Access becomes more difficult during the late rifle seasons, with seasonal road closures limiting entry to USFS land. The Cameron Peak fire burned through the northern part of unit 20, which closed some access points and impacted harvest success in 2020. However, the area is recovering and offering great elk habitat. Keep an eye on the burn scar regions, as elk are likely to hold up in these areas with improved feed and habitat.
21, 22, 30, 31, 32	Limited license draw for non-resident archery, muzzleloader, first rifle, and fourth rifle. Northwest part of the state. This unit is mostly low elevation, with a few mountains reaching up to 8,500’. There are plenty of roads in all the units, but a few spots offer the chance to pack in and escape hunting pressure where you might find better age-class bulls. The landscape is primarily made up of oak, pinyon, and juniper canyons. Units 21, 22, and 30 offer the best public land access, while units 31 and 32 are a mix of public and private land. Portions of unit 30 and a significant part of public land in unit 31 were affected by the Pine Gulch fire in 2020. The muzzleloader and first rifle seasons offer potential for 260-300"+ bulls. Elk populations have been struggling, but with strong regrowth in the burn areas, the herd should recover and become healthier in the coming years.
23, 24, 33 south of the north fork of the White River	Limited license draw for archery, muzzleloader, first rifle, and fourth rifle. 23 and 24 are also limited for 2nd and 3rd rifle hunts. Northwest part of the state. Unit 24 is almost entirely public land with excellent access. A large portion of the unit lies within the Flat Tops Wilderness, offering a pristine, rugged landscape. The elk population is strong across all the units, with unit 24 having the highest population during the early seasons. Units 24 and 34 are more rugged, featuring larger canyons and less road access compared to unit 33. Unit 33 and the upper reaches of 24 have more open parks and meadows, making for classic elk habitat. The archery and muzzleloader seasons offer the best chance for 250-280" bulls, with the possibility of bigger ones. The first and fourth rifle seasons are split into different unit groupings, offering more opportunities to target mature bulls.
35, 36, 361	Limited license draw for non-resident archery, muzzleloader, first rifle, and fourth rifle. North central part of the state. The hunt area offers diverse terrain, ranging from high alpine basins in unit 36 to desert-like, thick pinyon/juniper patches and expansive sage flats along the Colorado River in unit 35. The middle country is characterized by a mix of conifer and aspen stands. Public land is easily accessible by road, though some private land and wilderness access issues exist in all units. The muzzleloader and first rifle seasons are ideal for targeting 260-300" bulls in the higher elevations, though they can be difficult to locate when they retreat into the thick timber. The fourth rifle season is best suited for hunters in good physical shape or those with access to horses to reach the more rugged canyon areas.
41, 42, 52, 411, 421, 521	Limited license draw for archery, muzzleloader, first rifle, and fourth rifle. West central part of the state. The elk population has stabilized but remains below historic numbers. This large hunt area is mostly public land, with some private land issues in each unit, primarily in the lower to mid elevations. Road access to public land is good. The Grand Mesa features a mix of expansive aspen stands and scattered, thick conifer forests. The area offers a blend of roadless regions that require backpacking and accessible country for day hunting. The second and third rifle seasons see heavy hunting pressure, which impacts bull quality, but a few mature bulls are harvested each year. As elk begin to migrate to lower elevations, units 41 and 411 see increased elk numbers by the fourth season. 250-280"+ bulls are typically the top end.
481	Limited license draw for all seasons. Central part of the state. Unit is made up of almost entirely public land. Most of this unit is only accessible by foot or horseback, and it is extremely steep, high mountains. Lower elk populations. Most of the middle country elk are in thick conifer stands on steep hillsides with open alpine terrain mixed in. There are trailheads in all of the major drainages, which makes it nice to access the canyons, but plan on a very physical hunt. Archery, muzzleloader, and first rifle are by far the best seasons for a chance at a mature bull. Elk will pull into the dark timber in the bottom third of the canyons to rut. This is a great elk unit for the hunter that does not have many points. Good potential for 280-300" bulls for hunters who have done their homework on the area or hired an outfitter.
51	Limited license draw for all seasons. Central part of the state south of Denver. This unit is divided roughly 50/50 between private and public land. The east side is mostly private, while the western half is predominantly public. The public land consists mainly of thick conifer forests, making it challenging to spot elk unless you’re hunting during the rut with vocal bulls in the archery and muzzleloader seasons. This unit is ideal for hunters who prefer lower elevations, as it stays below 10,000’. There’s good road access to the public land, but much of the area is roadless, providing elk with refuge from hunting pressure. The southwest corner contains a burn scar from the Hayman Fire, which can hold some elk. This is a decent hunt for all seasons with 280-300" bulls possible, particularly for hunters with 0-3 points. The elk population is on the lower side, so don’t expect to see a lot of elk during your hunt.
501	Limited license draw for all seasons. Central part of the state south of Denver. This unit is mostly high elevation, covered in dense conifer forests. The Lost Creek Wilderness sits at its center, drawing heavy recreational traffic, especially on weekends. Elk are spread out across the unit but in relatively low numbers, with densities much lower than other parts of Colorado. The southeast side of the mountain, in the old Hayman burn, offers more roads and moderate terrain, making it a better area for glassing. While trees are regrowing and providing more cover for elk, this area still has some visibility. Archery, muzzleloader, and first rifle seasons offer the best opportunity for a 300" bull, with a few larger ones mixed in. Preseason scouting is key to determining the best spots for elk. Later rifle seasons can also be productive, especially if snow pushes elk out of the thick wilderness and into more open, glassable areas.
57, 58	Limited license draw for all seasons. Central part of the state. The terrain in this unit is more moderate compared to neighboring areas, with the highest peaks only reaching 11,000’ and most of the hunting occurring below 10,000’. Unit 57 offers more access to public land, but it also contains several private land sections that require careful planning and local knowledge to navigate. Unit 58 has higher elk densities but is more challenging to access due to the significant private land presence, often requiring permission or an outfitter’s help. This hunt can be physically demanding, especially for self-guided hunters who need to navigate around private land to reach the prime public areas. The potential for 280-300"+ bulls is strong, but this unit is better suited for hunters with 2-3 points who are open to hiring an outfitter to handle the private land challenges.
67	Limited license draw for all seasons. Southwest part of the state on the south side of the Gunnison Basin. This unit is mostly public land, with some private land found in the lower elevations. The higher elevations feature thick conifer forests, along with expansive sage parks and meadows. The terrain is relatively moderate compared to other Gunnison Basin units, though there are some steep alpine areas in the La Garita Mountains. Access is good, with decent roadways to most areas. Elk populations are lower than in neighboring units, but there are still quality bulls in the 300-320" range. Archery and muzzleloader hunts tend to be the most productive for mature bulls. Scouting and preparation are key to success in this unit. The points required to draw here don’t necessarily align with the hunt’s quality.
80, 81	Limited license draw for archery, muzzleloader, first rifle, and fourth rifle. South central part of the state along the New Mexico border. Mostly public land at higher elevations, both units feature mountainous basins accessible only by foot or horseback. The terrain is typical elk country, with thick conifer and aspen stands in the mid-elevations transitioning into high alpine basins. Early season hunts can be productive, with limited tag numbers and reduced hunting pressure during the September archery and muzzleloader seasons. The fourth rifle season offers potential if snow accumulates, provided you’re in good shape and ready to hike through snow to find elk. With fewer archery hunters, the quality may improve over time.
69, 84	Limited draw for all seasons. South central part of the state. This area is split 50/50 for private land, with the majority of it located at lower elevations. The public land primarily consists of high-elevation aspen and conifer ridges. Access to the higher elevations in the Wet Mountains is good, making the archery, muzzleloader, and first rifle seasons the best options for public land hunters. Unit 69 has limited road access to public land, while Unit 84 offers a few more roads to travel on. The elk population has been declining in recent years, but there are still bulls in the 280-320" range available on public land during the early hunts. Later seasons can be challenging as elk move onto private land. Harvest is generally split between the two units, with slightly more coming from Unit 84.
851 (Bosque Del Oso SWA Only)	South central part of the state along the New Mexico border. This small unit has seen a decline in both elk quality and quantity in recent years. A small resident herd summers here, but most elk migrate from adjacent units. The better bulls are often harvested during the late-season hunts, especially when they move from private land. The unit is composed of pinyon/juniper canyons with oil and gas exploration roads, but these are off-limits to the public. Hunting here is physically demanding, requiring foot or horseback access. Late-season hunts, particularly if snow falls, offer the best opportunity. However, with the number of points required to draw, hunters may want to explore other units as mature bulls can be difficult to find. Bull quality tends to range from 300-320" in recent years.

Guided Hunts - Featured Colorado Elk Hunting

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