The 2025 Colorado Primary Draw closed on April 1, 2025, at 8 p.m. MT. Your next chance to apply a Colorado big game hunting license will begin on June 19, 2025. The Secondary draw application and correction deadline, June 30, 2025 at 8 p.m. MT. Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website to learn more about the Secondary Draw.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to remind hunters that the deadline to submit a big-game draw application in the primary draw is approaching fast. To be eligible to participate, submit your application at cpwshop.com by 8 p.m. MT on April 1, 2025.
Colorado Hunting Brochures
If you have already submitted your application, CPW encourages you to review your receipt to make sure it was submitted correctly. Corrections are allowed up to the April 1 deadline through your cpwshop.com account.
CPW created a Big Game Application Guide to help hunters through the application process. Landowners wishing to apply for licenses through the Landowner Preference Program (LPP) must submit their 2025 applications online through their landowner account. See the following LPP Application Guide for assistance. Use the 2025 Big Game brochure as the go-to resource to find hunt codes, regulations and review recent changes for all applicants. Additional information is available in CPW’s recent press release.
PRO TIPS: Primary Draw Application Guide
Preparing for this year’s big game primary draw? As you plan your next limited license hunt, here’s some pointers from our customer service center.
CPW encourages hunters to submit their applications early to avoid complications or delays. Get prepared ahead of time so that if problems arise, CPW staff members have ample time to assist you. View CPW’s hunting statistics for information from previous draws to help maximize your draw potential. An online version of the Colorado Outdoors Preference Point Issue is now available.
Finding Success in the Primary Draw
If you want to hunt big game in Colorado, the primary draw is your best opportunity to draw a limited license. With a little planning and willingness to be flexible with your hunting location, even hunters with 0 preference points can draw a big game license in Colorado. For anyone that is new to hunting and thinking of collecting preference points for the perfect hunt, you may be better served by getting a license and getting out in the field to develop your skills. Hunting is challenging and you only learn to be a good hunter by doing. Spotting game, walking without overheating, moving accross the landscape, using the wind to your advantage, etc., all take practice. You need to hunt to be a successful hunter. Below are some tips to help you successfully draw a Colorado big game license.
Know How to Read Hunt Codes
IMPORTANT: HUNT CODES CONTAIN A LOT OF INFORMATION
Learning how to read hunt codes can ensure that you apply for the right hunt in the limited license draw(s) each year. Hunt codes are an 8-character code used to designate species, sex, GMU, season and method of take:
Improve Your Odds with Statistics
Use big game statistics to improve your chances of drawing a license. Drawn Out At Reports provide the history for when licenses were drawn out (first choice, second choice, etc.) and how many preference reports were required to draw the license. Preference points required to draw a limited license change from year to year, but having a sense if you have enough points to potentially draw a license is important. If a license takes 10+ points to draw most years and you only have two points, you are not likely to draw that license. Align your license choices with your available preference points. If you do not have any preference points, look for licenses that were successfully drawn with 0 preference points.
Links to the “Drawn Out At” Reports
Colorado Hunting Atlas
Use the Colorado Hunting Atlas to learn more about hunting areas – Game Management Units (GMU).
Tip: Use “Map Layers & Legend” filters for more info.
- “Game Species” will allow you to look at species specific information.
- Goto GMU will zoom map into a specific Game Management Unit (GMU).
- Adjusting “Transparency” sliders will reveal additional map details.
- Clicking on the map will open buttons with important details including public access information.
Game Management Unit Videos
To aid hunters in being as knowledgeable as possible, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released videos with wildlife officers addressing frequently asked questions.
The playlist below features more than 120 videos of wildlife officers discussing the districts they cover, or the Game Management Units where hunters apply for licenses. The videos were targeted to aid big game hunters, but other hunting opportunities are also discussed for certain areas of the state.
Plan Your Hunt
If you have questions about setting up accounts, planning hunts or applying for licenses, call center agents are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. MT at 303-297-1192. Additional hunting resources are available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
Be sure to read the “What’s New” pages in the 2025 Big Game brochure and the sheep and goat brochure to get a full list of game management unit specific changes for 2025.
*Note to hunters: License quotas will not be finalized until the May 2025 Commission meeting after staff are finished analyzing data from population surveys.
For hunters, this is one of the most exciting times of the year. Get your applications in and start planning for success – scouting, fitness training and all of the other steps that will get you ready for your fall adventure! Good luck – if you used the resource above, you won’t need much luck.
