Colorado

Colorado Hunting License: Cost, Requirements & How to Apply (2026)

Complete guide to Colorado hunting license costs, requirements, seasons, and regulations for the Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 season.

Last updated: March 2026

Resident License $38.49 General hunting

Non-Resident License $104.86 General hunting

Hunter Education Required Born after 1949-01-01

Online Purchase Yes Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026

LICENSE FEES

Colorado Hunting License Fees 2026

Current hunting license costs for residents and non-residents. License year: Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026.

Resident Licenses

Resident Small Game Hunting $38.49 —

Resident Combination (Small Game + Fishing) $62.21 —

Resident Youth Small Game (Under 18) $2.50 —

Resident Senior Small Game (64+) $7.25 —

Resident Lifetime Small Game $508.50 —

Resident 1-Day Small Game $16.30 —

Non-Resident Licenses

Non-Resident Small Game Hunting — $104.86

Non-Resident Youth Small Game (Under 18) — $2.53

Non-Resident 1-Day Small Game — $16.30

Non-Resident 5-Day Small Game — $89.50

Tags & Permits

Mule Deer $51.25 $506.92

Elk $70.40 $845.16

Pronghorn Antelope $51.25 $506.92

Bear $64.01 $302.56

Moose $385.66 $2823.53

Mountain Lion $51.25 $825.03

Mountain Goat $385.66 $2823.53

Bighorn Sheep $385.66 $2823.53

Turkey $26 $188.86

Youth Deer/Elk/Pronghorn (Under 18) $20.30 $130.07

Endorsements & Stamps

Habitat Stamp $12.76 Required for all hunters/anglers ages 18-64; auto-added to first purchase

Federal Duck Stamp $25 Required for waterfowl hunters 16+; valid Jul 1 – Jun 30

HIP Certification Free Free; required for migratory bird hunters

State Waterfowl Stamp $5 Required for waterfowl hunting in addition to Federal Duck Stamp

Draw Application Fee $11.49 Per-species draw application fee; non-refundable

PURCHASE

How to Buy a Colorado Hunting License

Multiple convenient options to get your license quickly.

Buy Online (Recommended)

Visit cpw.state.co.us/buyapply. Create a CPW account or sign in. Purchase a qualifying license (small game or combination). Purchase Habitat Stamp if ages 18-64 (auto-added). Apply for big game draw (March-April) or buy OTC/leftover licenses (August+). Pay with credit/debit card; print or save digital license

Buy In Person

CPW regional offices statewide, Walmart stores, Sportsman's Warehouse, Local sporting goods stores and outfitters

Buy By Phone

Call 303-297-1192. Service fee may apply

Shop for hunting gear at our partners:

Bass Pro Shops → Cabela's → Amazon → Academy Sports →

Pro Tip

The easiest way to buy your Colorado hunting license is online through the Colorado Parks & Wildlife. You'll get your license instantly and can start hunting right away.

EDUCATION

Hunter Education Requirements in Colorado

Who needs it: All hunters born on or after January 1, 1949

Online course: Available — Cost: $10

Field day required: Yes, in-person field day required

Minimum age: 10 years old

Apprentice/deferral program: Available — hunt under supervision while completing education

Military exemption: Yes, active duty military may be exempt

Start Your Hunter Education Course

EXEMPTIONS

Who Can Hunt for Free (or at a Discount) in Colorado?

Youth (Under 18) $2.50 qualifying license Deeply discounted qualifying licenses ($2.50) and big game tags ($20.30 res / $130.07 NR); must be accompanied by licensed adult

Senior (64+) $7.25 small game Reduced-fee small game license; exempt from Habitat Stamp; preference points maintained free

Disabled Veteran (60%+) Reduced fees Colorado residents with 60%+ service-connected disability qualify for reduced-fee licenses; some species free

Active Military Resident rates Active duty stationed in Colorado may purchase at resident license rates

Landowner Voucher Landowner preference Qualifying landowners (160+ acres) may receive vouchers for specific GMUs; can transfer to guests

Disabled Person Reduced fees Persons with permanent disabilities may qualify for reduced fees and special provisions

SEASONS

Colorado Hunting Seasons 2026-2027

Key hunting season dates and weapon restrictions.

Mule Deer Archery Aug 30 – Sep 28 Bow only

Mule Deer Muzzleloader Sep 13 – Sep 21 Muzzleloader only

Mule Deer General Rifle (2nd Season) Oct 18 – Oct 26 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow

Mule Deer General Rifle (3rd Season) Nov 1 – Nov 9 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow

Mule Deer General Rifle (4th Season) Nov 12 – Nov 16 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader

Elk Archery Aug 30 – Sep 28 Bow only

Elk Muzzleloader Sep 13 – Sep 21 Muzzleloader only

Elk General Rifle (2nd Season) Oct 18 – Oct 26 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow

Elk General Rifle (3rd Season) Nov 1 – Nov 9 Rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow

Elk General Rifle (4th Season) Nov 12 – Nov 16 Rifle only, limited units

Pronghorn Archery Aug 15 – Sep 21 Bow only

Pronghorn Rifle Oct 1 – Oct 31 Rifle, muzzleloader, bow

Bear Archery/Rifle Sep 2 – Sep 30 Bow, rifle, muzzleloader

Turkey Spring Apr 12 – May 25 Shotgun, bow

Turkey Fall Sep 1 – Oct 31 Shotgun, bow, rifle

Mountain Lion Regular Nov 1 – Mar 31 Rifle, shotgun, bow, handgun

Dove Regular Sep 1 – Nov 15 Shotgun

Duck/Waterfowl Regular Oct 4 – Jan 26 Shotgun

BAG LIMITS

Colorado Bag Limits

Daily and seasonal harvest limits for major game species.

Mule Deer 1 1 per license Antler restrictions vary by GMU; 4-point minimum in many western units

Elk 1 1 per license Bull or cow depending on license type and unit; cow elk licenses help manage populations

Pronghorn 1 1 Buck or doe depending on license; eastern plains units

Turkey 1 1 spring + 1 fall Bearded turkeys only in spring; either sex in fall

Bear 1 1 Sows with cubs and cubs prohibited; color phase varies by unit

Mountain Lion 1 1 Unit-specific quotas; season may close early when quota reached

Dove 15 No season limit Mourning and white-winged combined; Sept 1 opening day

Duck 6 No season limit Species-specific limits within daily bag; Federal Duck Stamp required

COMPARE

How Colorado Compares to Neighboring States

See how hunting license costs stack up in the region.

Colorado $38.49 $104.86

Wyoming $21.50 $21.50 Nebraska $18 $109 Kansas $27.50 $127.50 Oklahoma $36 $209 New Mexico $25 $90 Utah $40 $144

Compare All 50 States

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Hunting Licenses

How much is a hunting license in Colorado?

Colorado uses a qualifying license + tag system. Resident small game qualifying: $38.49 (NR: $104.86). Elk tags: $70.40 res / $845.16 NR. Deer: $51.25 / $506.92. A $12.76 Habitat Stamp is required for ages 18-64. All licenses include $1.25 search-and-rescue + $1.50 wildlife education fees.

How does the Colorado big game draw work?

Apply Mar 1 – Apr 7 with qualifying license + $11.49 app fee per species. Results in late May. Weighted preference points increase odds each year you don't draw. Leftover licenses go on sale in early August, first-come-first-served.

How much is a non-resident elk tag in Colorado?

NR elk licenses: $845.16 (includes annual fishing license). One of the most expensive in the US but gives access to world-class Rocky Mountain elk hunting with over 280,000 elk. Youth under 18: $130.07 — a major discount.

Are there OTC elk tags in Colorado?

Yes, Colorado offers over-the-counter (OTC) archery elk licenses for most units, and some OTC rifle elk licenses in units with surplus. No draw needed — purchase directly starting in August. Some of the best public land elk hunting in the West.

What is the Habitat Stamp?

The $12.76 Habitat Stamp is required for hunting and fishing in Colorado for ages 18-64. Revenue funds habitat conservation projects on public and private land. Seniors 65+ and youth under 18 are exempt.

Can I hunt moose or bighorn sheep in Colorado?

Yes, but only through extremely limited draws. Tags cost $385.66 (res) / $2,823.53 (NR). Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat are once-in-a-lifetime species for residents. These are among the most coveted tags in North America.

What is the minimum age to hunt in Colorado?

Minimum age for hunter education is 10. Youth under 18 get deeply discounted qualifying licenses ($2.50) and big game tags ($20.30 res / $130.07 NR). Youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult 18+.

Can I buy a Colorado hunting license online?

Yes, at cpw.state.co.us/buyapply. All purchases include $1.25 search-and-rescue fee + $1.50 Wildlife Education Fund fee. Draw applications, OTC licenses, and leftover licenses are all handled online.