The 2023 secondary draw application deadline has passed.
Remaining (leftover) limited licenses and Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses go on sale online, in person and by phone on August 1, 2023 at 9 a.m. MT.
To learn more, please visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
Didn’t Draw? Start planning for the 2023 Secondary Draw
Hunters who did not apply or draw a limited big game license in the primary draw should be aware they still have the opportunity to draw an elk, deer, pronghorn, and bear hunting licenses license in Colorado’s secondary draw. Most elk, deer, pronghorn, and bear hunting licenses not issued through the primary draw will be made available in Colorado’s secondary draw, which is open to hunters, whether they applied for the primary draw or not. Secondary draw applications open on June 21, 2023, and must be completed by the application deadline on June 30, 2023, at 8 p.m. MT.
Which Colorado Big Game Licenses are Available Secondary Draw?
Use the links below to view comprehensive lists of elk, deer, bear, and pronghorn limited licenses available in the 2023 secondary draw. For more information on applying during the secondary draw, please read CPW’s One-page instructional guide.
Secondary Draw Basics
- Primary Draw application is not required. The secondary draw is open to every hunter, whether you applied for the primary draw or not.
- You will pay an application fee to participate in the secondary draw. You’ll be charged a fee for applying, whether or not you draw a license. The nonrefundable application fee is $8.00 for residents and $10.00 for nonresidents per species.
- A qualifying license is required. All applicants must first purchase or hold a qualifying hunting license for the current license year BEFORE applying for the secondary draw.
- No preference points. This draw does NOT use preference points, and you cannot apply for them.
- No group hunts. You cannot apply as a group in the secondary draw.
| Date | Important Secondary Draw Dates |
|---|---|
| June 21 | Secondary draw applications are accepted starting this date. Get your application in early! |
| June 30 | Secondary draw application & correction deadline, 8 p.m. MT |
| July 7 | Draw results posted online at CPWshop.com |
| July 21 | License payment deadline, 11:59 p.m. MT – THE PAYMENT DEADLINES ARE FINAL. If CPW is unable to charge the credit card on file in your CPWshop.com account by the payment deadline, your license will be forfeited. It is the customer’s responsibility to know the payment deadlines and verify that their awarded licenses have been paid for prior to the payment deadlines. |
| July 29 | Licenses in the mail |
Why is my Primary Draw Hunt Code on the Secondary Draw List!?!
You may see a license available in the secondary draw that you were unsuccessful at drawing in the Primary Draw. There are a couple of ways this happens. If a customer returns a license or fails to pay for the license they were awarded in the primary draw, CPW may reissue the license in the secondary draw. Most licenses are added to the secondary draw list if they took 4 or less preference points for a resident adult to draw in the 2023 primary draw. Please visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website to learn more about License Refunds, Reissues, Reversals, and Exchanges.
Youth Ages 12–17 Receive Priority for all Licenses
The secondary draw is a great opportunity to get a young hunter a big game license. The secondary draw provides youth hunters with a 100% preference in the secondary draw. What does this mean? The secondary draw processes ALL youth application choices prior to processing adult choices. If your young hunter was unsuccessful in the primary draw, this is another great opportunity to try to get them a Colorado big game hunting license.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers youth more opportunities than ever before to head into the field to harvest a big-game animal. One of the foremost goals at CPW is to expand youth opportunities and turn first-time hunters into lifelong sportspeople. Offering more chances at success builds the foundation of solid hunting skills and passes down the appreciation of the outdoor lifestyle we cherish. Please visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website to learn about Youth Extended Season hunting opportunities.
Resources to help you pick your Secondary Draw hunt codes and apply!
If you were successful in the primary draw, congratulations. If not, it’s time to get to work and prepare for the secondary draw. The resources below will help you find your best license options.
- Colorado Big Game Brochure – An essential resource for any Colorado hunter. Be sure to read the entire “what’s new” section in the brochures before purchasing a license or hunting this fall.
- The Colorado Hunting Atlas – The Colorado Hunting Atlas allows users to view big game concentrations and game management units on top of street maps, USGS topographic maps, or high-resolution color aerial photography. The Hunter Resource Report allows hunters to create a list of important emergency and contact information, field office locations, campgrounds, CPW sales agents, and more.
- Big Game Hunting Statistics – Check out Colorado’s Estimated Harvest and Population Estimate Reports. Learn how to read the reports online.
- Colorado Game Management Unit (GMU) Videos – Need to find a new hunting area? In this video series, Colorado’s wildlife officers answer frequently asked questions, discuss access, describe animal movement, and more.
- License Refunds, Reissues, Reversals, and Exchanges – If you have any questions about returning your license, please visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for more details.
- CPWshop.com – Apply for the secondary draw.