“What’s New” — 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting

The 2026 Colorado Big Game Brochure is now available at statewide license agents and at CPW offices. If you applied in last year’s limited draw, keep an eye on your mailbox — your brochure will arrive by the end of February.

Colorado Hunting Brochures

“Whats new” Big Game Hunting 2026

Here’s a quick overview of what’s new for the 2026 big-game seasons, along with important dates and changes that affect the limited-license draws.

Important 2026 Dates

Primary Limited License Draw

• March 1: Applications accepted/most qualifying licenses available for purchase starting on this date
• April 7: Application & correction deadline, 8 p.m. MT
• May 26–29: Draw results posted online (check your online account)
• June 1: Surrender period deadline, 11:59 p.m. MT
• June 12: License payment deadline, 11:59 p.m. MT
• June 26: Licenses in the mail

Secondary Limited License Draw

• June 18: Secondary draw applications accepted starting on this date
• June 30: Secondary draw application & correction deadline, 8 p.m. MT
• July 7: Secondary draw results posted online (check your online account)
• July 9: Surrender period deadline, 11:59 p.m. MT
• July 21: Secondary draw license payment deadline, 11:59 p.m. MT
• July 27: Secondary draw licenses in the mail

Leftover & Over-the-Counter Licenses

• Aug. 4: Remaining (leftover) limited licenses on sale online, in person and by phone, 9 a.m. MT
• Aug. 4: Over-the-counter licenses on sale, 9 a.m. MT

Qualifying Licenses

Continuing this year, hunters must purchase a current-year, 2026 qualifying license to participate in the big-game draws. Most qualifying licenses are available beginning March 1 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.

Qualifying licenses are on sale starting March 1, 2026

All applicants must first purchase (online, by phone or in person at sales agents) or hold a qualifying hunting license for the current license year before applying for either the primary or secondary draws. Hunters who wish to purchase a leftover limited or over-the-counter license do not need to have a qualifying license. Draw applications will not be accessible until you purchase your qualifying license. Licenses must be valid for the current 2026 license year. A 2026 Habitat Stamp will be automatically added when purchasing your qualifying license, if applicable.

Qualifying licenses options:

• annual resident and nonresident small game
• annual resident combo small game/fishing
• annual resident senior combo small game/fishing — Annual licenses are valid March 1–March 31 (13 months)
• resident and nonresident spring turkey (over-the-counter turkey licenses on sale March 1)
• resident and nonresident fall turkey (Important: valid for the secondary draw only)
• resident veteran lifetime combo small game/fishing
• resident first responder lifetime combo small game/fishing
• annual small-game license for resident senior lifetime fishing license holders

Primary Draw

The application deadline for the primary license drawing is 8 p.m. Mountain Time on April 7, 2026. Hunters are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid complications or delays. CPW will begin to accept applications March 1, 2026.

Tip: After applying, please review the confirmation receipt sent to your email address to ensure you submitted your application correctly. Application modifications are allowed prior to the application deadline. CPW will begin to accept applications March 1, 2026.

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 18. The application deadline is June 30th at 8 p.m. Mountain Time.
 

Boundary Modifications for some GMUs

The boundaries for Game Management Units 97 and 99 have changed. Hunters should check the CPW Hunting Atlas and ensure that they are using the latest versions of GPS/map applications for accurate boundaries.

Please see page 71 of the Colorado Big Game Brochure for more information.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Testing for Elk

CWD testing is now mandatory for elk harvested during the rifle seasons from specific GMUs. Mandatory testing is free and helps biologists better understand the spread of CWD and its impacts to Colorado’s elk populations. 

There will be no mandatory CWD testing for harvested deer in the 2026 seasons. 

For more information about CWD testing (both mandatory and voluntary), see pages 13 and 41 in the brochure, or visit the CPW website.

Hunts Added

CPW has added new licenses for moose, buck deer, archery elk and bear in a variety of GMUs. For detailed species-specific new hunts and changes, see the individual species pages in the big game brochure:

• Deer: Big Game Brochure page 20
• Pronghorn: Big Game Brochure page 53
• Bear: page Big Game Brochure page 62
• Elk: Big Game Brochure page 35
• Moose: Big Game Brochure page 58

Gunnison Basin Rifle Elk Licenses

Rifle elk licenses for GMUs 54, 55 and 551 in the Gunnison Basin are now fully limited, instead of being sold over-the-counter, as in years past. Please see pages 48 and 52 in the brochure for further details.  

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 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time (for the primary draw) and Wednesday, July 9, 2026 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 26 through 29 for the primary draw and July 7 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.4, 2026. 

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 our webpage.

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 2026. 

‘Thank You’ Hunters:

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.

CPW encourages you to have a safe and successful 2026 season.

Video and article by Jerry Neal, Senior Videographer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.