Colorado Non-Resident Hunting License 2026: Costs, Draw System & What You Can Hunt

Why Non-Residents Choose Colorado

Colorado draws more out-of-state hunters than almost any other western state for three key reasons:

1. OTC archery access — Non-residents can buy elk and deer archery tags without a draw, making Colorado uniquely accessible for bowhunters.
2. Massive public land — Over 24 million acres of BLM and National Forest land, most of it open to hunting.
3. Species diversity — Elk, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion, turkey, and more in a single trip.

The tradeoff: Colorado has some of the most expensive non-resident big game tags in the country. Understanding the system before you buy is essential.

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The Qualifying License Requirement

This is the most common mistake non-resident hunters make. Colorado requires all hunters — resident and non-resident — to purchase a qualifying Annual Small Game License before they can purchase or apply for any big game tag.

Total minimum NR elk cost: $101.54 + $845.16 + $12.76 = $959.46 Total minimum NR deer cost: $101.54 + $506.92 + $12.76 = $621.22

Purchase all licenses at cpw.state.co.us/buyapply.

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OTC vs Draw: Which Tags Require a Draw?

OTC (No Draw) — Available Anytime

• Elk archery — All GMUs, no draw required
• Deer archery — All GMUs, no draw required
• Elk rifle 2nd season — Many GMUs
• Elk rifle 4th season — Many GMUs
• Black bear — Most units OTC

Draw Required

• Elk rifle 1st and 3rd seasons — Peak rut; most popular, hardest to draw
• Deer rifle 1st season — Many trophy GMUs are draw-only
• Premium GMUs — Units with high trophy quality require multiple preference points

Draw Application Deadlines

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Preference Points

Each year you apply but don't draw, you earn one preference point that improves your odds in future draws. Points are species-specific (elk points don't help for deer).

• Cost: $50–$75 per species per year (confirm current fee at CPW)
• Worth doing: For premium elk and deer units, 3–8+ preference points may be needed
• Instant draw option: Some hunters purchase a "bonus point" application even in years they don't plan to hunt, just to build points

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Season Dates Quick Reference

[DATA UNVERIFIED] — Confirm 2026 dates at cpw.state.co.us/regulations

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Hunter Education Requirement

Hunter education is required for first-time Colorado license buyers. CPW accepts certificates from all other states. Complete online at hunter-ed.com/colorado.

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Top Public Land Access

Colorado's national forests and BLM land are free to access for all hunters:

• White River National Forest (Meeker/Glenwood Springs) — Premier elk and OTC deer
• Gunnison National Forest — Trophy elk country
• San Juan National Forest — Remote elk and deer, less pressure
• BLM Grand Junction area — Desert mule deer hunting

Use onX Hunt to identify GMU boundaries and public/private land lines before your trip.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Non-residents should note: Colorado does not allow non-residents to purchase elk alone — the $845.16 elk tag is separate from the required $101.54 qualifying small game license. Both are required.

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GMU Selection Strategy for Non-Residents

Choosing the right Game Management Unit (GMU) is the most important decision for a Colorado hunt. Here is how to think about it:

OTC Archery Elk (No Draw)

For first-time non-residents, OTC archery is the easiest path into Colorado elk hunting. Popular GMUs for OTC archery elk include:

• GMUs 21, 30, 31 (Flat Tops Wilderness) — High-elevation aspen and spruce-fir; classic bugling elk terrain
• GMUs 61, 62 (Gunnison area) — Mix of public and private land; large elk herds
• GMUs 76, 77, 78 (San Juan Mountains) — Remote, rugged terrain with lower hunter pressure
• GMUs 85, 86 (Pagosa Springs area) — Accessible terrain with good road systems

Draw-Only Rifle Elk

Premium rifle units with high trophy quality require significant preference points:

• GMU 2 (Rawah area) — 6–10+ points for non-residents
• GMU 201 (Gunnison Basin) — Trophy mule deer and elk; 8–15+ points
• GMUs 55, 551 (Uncompahgre) — Premium elk, 10+ points

For non-residents with zero points, focus on 2nd and 4th rifle season OTC units — these are available without a draw and can produce excellent hunting, especially during cold-weather migration periods.

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Physical Preparation and Altitude

Colorado elk hunting is physically demanding. Most hunting occurs between 8,000 and 11,000 feet elevation. Non-residents from low-elevation states should:

• Arrive 2–3 days early to acclimate to altitude before hunting
• Stay hydrated — Dehydration accelerates at altitude; drink 4+ liters per day
• Train cardio — Start a hiking/stair-climbing program at least 8 weeks before your trip
• Know the signs of altitude sickness — Headache, nausea, dizziness. Descend if symptoms worsen
• Pack light — Every extra pound matters at 10,000 feet

Colorado's backcountry can be genuinely dangerous. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in September. October and November can bring sudden blizzards. Always carry emergency shelter, fire-starting materials, and extra food.

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Pronghorn and Other Species

Beyond elk and deer, non-residents can pursue:

Pronghorn (Antelope):

• Draw-only in most units; some rifle units available with 0–2 preference points
• Archery pronghorn is available OTC in select units
• Eastern plains units (GMUs 89, 95, 96, 100, 101) have the highest populations
• NR tag cost varies by unit and method

Black Bear:

• Mostly OTC tags available — no draw required in most units
• Season runs concurrent with elk archery and rifle seasons
• Spring bear season available in some units (April–May)
• NR bear tag: $302.56

Mountain Lion:

• Draw-only with varying point requirements
• Season typically runs November through March
• Guide recommended for non-residents

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Trip Planning for Non-Residents

Best first-time trip: OTC archery elk in September. Weather is mild (40–70°F at camp), bulls are bugling, and the experience is unforgettable even without filling a tag.

Lodging options:

• Dispersed camping — Free on National Forest and BLM land (14-day limit). This puts you closest to the hunting.
• Small-town motels — $70–120/night in towns like Meeker, Craig, Gunnison, Pagosa Springs
• Outfitter camps — $3,000–7,000+ for guided elk hunts; $1,500–3,000 for drop camps

Meat care at altitude: Cool September nights (30–45°F) help preserve meat, but daytime temperatures can reach 65°F+. Bring quality game bags, hang meat in shade, and plan for a processor in the nearest town. Shipping frozen meat home via UPS/FedEx costs $100–200.

Essential gear:

• GPS device or onX Hunt app with offline maps downloaded
• Bear spray (required in some areas, recommended everywhere)
• Layering system for 20–70°F temperature swings
• Quality optics — binoculars and a spotting scope are essential for glassing Colorado’s open terrain
• Backup communication (satellite communicator recommended — no cell service in most hunting areas)

Regulations to remember:

• Colorado prohibits baiting for all big game
• Lead ammunition restrictions apply in some areas — check current regulations
• All big game must be field-dressed and properly cared for immediately; waste of game meat is a violation
• Mandatory harvest reporting within 5 days at cpw.state.co.us