READ THIS BROCHURE!
- The first 19 pages have all of your basic hunting information: new changes, license information, options and sales dates, general information, hunting laws, application information and deadlines, and how to read the hunt code tables.
- Pages 20–67 break out each of the five big-game species in this brochure into their own sections. Each section has species-specific regulation changes, season dates, how to get more than one license and hunt code tables.
- The last few pages, 68–73, provide a GMU map and detailed descriptions of the GMU boundaries and specific land restrictions.
What’s New
Qualifying Licenses
Continuing this year, hunters must purchase a qualifying license to participate in the big-game draws. Qualifying licenses include spring turkey licenses and small-game licenses.
Residents may also choose a combination small-game, veteran lifetime combination, First Responder lifetime Combination and senior combination licenses.
New for this year, fall turkey licenses are now a valid qualifying license for the secondary draw only.
And, seniors who possess a resident lifetime fishing license may purchase an annual small-game license for $22.18 as their qualifying license for the big-game draws.
All qualifying licenses are available beginning March 1 and must be purchased prior to applying for all big-game licenses or preference points.
Limited Licenses
Limited licenses are a set (limited) number of licenses available for specific hunting units and dates for each species (bear, deer, elk, pronghorn, moose), and are issued through an application and drawing process.
Primary Draw
The Primary Draw application deadline is April 6, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
Hunters are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid complications or delays. Colorado Parks and wildlife will begin to accept applications on March 1, 2021.
Secondary Draw
The Secondary Draw application deadline is June 30, 2021, at 8:oo p.m. Mountain Time.
Continuing this year, CPW is offering a Secondary Draw. The Secondary Draw is open to anyone — even if you missed the deadline for the Primary Draw. Most elk, deer, pronghorn and bear licenses not issued through the primary draw will be made available here.
The Secondary Draw does not use or award preference points. However, application fees, qualifying licenses and a Habitat Stamp are still required.
CPW will accept applications online or by phone for the Secondary Draw beginning June 16, 2021.
Leftover Limited Licenses & OTC Licenses
Also new for this year, Leftover limited licenses and over-the-counter (OTC) licenses will go on sale the same day and at the same time, starting at 9 a.m. on August 3, 2021.
NEW Limited License Reissue Process
Beginning this year, CPW will implement a new process for reissuing returned big-game licenses. Starting Aug. 10, a reissue preview list will be posted online every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Those licenses will then be moved to the Leftover List and may be purchased starting at 11 a.m. every Wednesday. This gives hunters the chance to see what licenses are available before they go on sale the following day. For more information about leftover licenses and the new reissue process, see pages 4 & 8 of the brochure and visit our website: cpw.state.co.us/refunds#reissue
More Ways to Purchase Big-Game Licenses
New for this year, hunters may purchase big-game licenses, even after the start of the season, by phone, online and through statewide license agents and CPW offices. This improvement in customer service now allows hunters to purchase licenses by all sales methods at any point in the hunting season.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Gift Certificates
CPW Gift Certificates make a great gift idea for any hunter. Beginning this year, hunters may now usegift certificates to purchase big-game licenses through CPW’s online system. CPW Gift certificates may be kept on file and combined with credit card purchases for all online license sales.
Chronic Wasting Disease Testing
New for this year, Chronic Wasting Disease(or CWD) testing is required for both elk and deer hunters who harvest animals in certain Game Management Units or by specific hunt codes. If you harvest deer or elk in these areas, you must submit your animal head to a CPW office for testing. Mandatory testing is free and it helps wildlife biologists monitor the health of Colorado’s big-game herds and better track the spread of chronic wasting disease. For more information, see the maps in the brochure and visit our website: cpw.state.co.us/cwd
Hunt Planners
If you have questions about setting up your account, planning a hunt or applying for licenses, call center agents and Hunt Planners are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., (303) 297-1192.
Big Game Application Resources
- Colorado Big Game Brochure
- Colorado Sheep & Goat Brochure
- 2021 Colorado Outdoors Preference Point Issue (Online Edition)
- 2021 Colorado Herd Counts (Online Edition)
- Secrets to the Colorado Big Game Draw (video)
- Colorado Big Game Hunting Series: Part 1 – Making a Plan (video)
Draw Results
Waiting for results is the hardest part of the draw. Results are posted on the dates listed below. Draw results and preference point information is unavailable until these dates.
| Species | Planned Post Date |
| Rocky Mountain & desert bighorn sheep, mountain goat | April 20 |
| Primary Draw (bear, deer, elk, moose & pronghorn) | May 24 – 28 |
| Secondary Draw (bear, deer, elk & pronghorn) | July 6 |
How to Check Your Draw and Preference Point Status
To check your draw results
- After draw results have posted on the dates listed above, please visit http://www.cpwshop.com/
- Log in to your personal account.
- If you have draw results to show, they will appear under the “My Orders” submenu, also on the left navigation.
To check preference points
- Follow the steps above
- Click on “My Preference Points,” found as a link in the left-hand navigation.
Report inaccurate information
If you see incorrect information (such as a wrong address or inaccurate preference points) let us know.
There are several ways to contact us:
- Contact your nearest Colorado Parks and Wildlife office
- Call (303) 297-1192 during normal business hours
- Email Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife thanks you for hunting Colorado. Your license fees fund wildlife management and conservation programs, ensuring that hunting opportunities will remain for future generations.