“What’s New” for Big-Game Hunters in 2025

The 2025 Colorado Big-Game Brochure is now available at statewide license agents and CPW offices. If you participated in the limited draw last year, a brochure will be mailed to you by the end of February. 

Here’s a summary of “what’s new” for the 2025 big-game seasons, as well as some changes that affect the limited-license draws.

Qualifying Licenses

Continuing this year, hunters must purchase a current-year, 2025 qualifying license to participate in the big-game draws. Most qualifying licenses are available beginning March 1, 2025 and must be purchased prior to applying for all big-game licenses or preference points. Funds from qualifying licenses help to support wildlife conservation and research studies for both game and nongame species. Please see page 4 for a list of all qualifying licenses.

Primary Draw

The application deadline for the primary license drawing is 8 p.m. Mountain Time on April 1,2025. Hunters are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid complications or delays. CPW will begin to accept applications on March 1, 2025.

Tip: Please review your confirmation receipt that was sent to your email address to ensure you submitted your application correctly. Application modifications are allowed prior to the application deadline.

Secondary Draw

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.

Youth hunters also receive 100 percent preference in the Secondary Draw, giving them first opportunity to draw licenses.

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 19, 2025. The application deadline is June 30, 2025 at 8 p.m. Mountain Time. 

Nonresident Archery Elk Licenses

Beginning this year, nonresidents can no longer purchase over-the-counter archery elk licenses for GMUs west of I-25 and GMU 140. This means that nonresidents must participate in the limited draw and purchase a qualifying license and Habitat Stamp to obtain archery licenses, or wait to purchase a leftover limited license in August.

Nonresident over-the-counter archery licenses are still available in certain GMUs east of I-25. However, most of these hunts require landowner permission to access private land.

This change affects nonresidents only and was implemented to help manage hunting pressure and to improve hunting quality during the archery season. For more information, please see page 43 in the brochure.

Extreme Winter Update

In 2022-23, northwest Colorado experienced one of the worst winters in nearly 70 years. Record snowfall combined with high winds and drifting snow resulted in exceptionally high mortality rates among deer, elk and pronghorn. In an effort to help rebuild big-game populations, CPW reduced and restricted hunting licenses throughout this region, including Ranching for Wildlife properties. 

Big-game biologists estimate that it may take 3-5 years for big-game herds to recover and for populations and sex ratios to meet objectives.

CPW thanks hunters for their continued patience until herds fully recover and license restrictions can be lifted.

First Season Rifle Deer Licenses Added

CPW has added licenses for the first rifle deer season in the following GMUs. Please see pages 27-32 for more information.

Late-Season Cow Moose Licenses Added

To meet management objectives, antlerless moose licenses have been added to the following GMUs for the late rifle season, offering expanded opportunities for hunters. Please see pages 59-61 for more information.

License Surrender Period

CPW will send emails to hunters who were successful in the primary and secondary draws.

Hunters who draw licenses but decide to surrender their licenses will have until Monday, June 2, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time (for the primary draw) and Wednesday, July 9th at 11:59 p.m. (for the secondary draw) to surrender unwanted licenses. When a license is surrendered, CPW will reinstate the hunter’s preference points to the pre-draw level, refund the license fee, and remove the license from their account.

Draw results will be posted online May 27 through 30, 2025 for the primary draw and July 7, 2025 for the secondary draw.

Leftover and OTC Licenses

Leftover limited licenses and over-the-counter licenses will go on sale the same day and at the same time, starting at 9 a.m. on Aug.5, 2025. 

Licenses that were not paid for in the primary and secondary draw or that were surrendered may also be available on this date.

Planning Your Hunt

If you have questions about setting up your account, planning a hunt or applying for licenses, Customer Service Agents are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., (303) 297-1192. A list of hunting resources is also available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.

Read the ‘What’s New’ pages in the Brochures

This is a summary of some but not all of the changes for the upcoming seasons. Be sure to read the “What’s New” pages in the big-game and sheep and goat brochures to see a full list of changes for 2025. 

Thank You!

Colorado Parks and Wildlife would like to thank hunters for their contributions to Colorado’s wildlife resources. Your license purchases fund wildlife management and conservation programs, ensuring that hunting opportunities remain for future generations.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife encourages you to have a safe and successful 2025 season!