Most elk, deer, pronghorn and bear licenses not issued through the primary draw are available in the secondary draw that is open to anyone, whether you applied for the primary draw or not. It’s your chance to get licenses remaining from the primary draw without having to wait until leftover day!
Applications Accepted: June 18–June 30, 2026, 8 p.m. MT
What are limited licenses?
Each year, a set (limited) number of licenses is allotted to each game management unit (GMU). Huntable areas are broken down into units called “game management units.” These units help you decide where you’d like to hunt. A GMU map is available through the Colorado Hunting Atlas or on the inside back cover of the Big Game Brochure.
Available 2026 Secondary Draw Limited License Lists
Licenses that appear on this list were left over from the primary draw or were not paid for or were surrendered by individuals who drew. These licenses are made available first through the secondary draw to any big game applicant who applies for them by 8 p.m MT on June 30, whether they applied in the primary draw or not.
After the secondary draw, the licenses remaining from the list will be released for public purchase on a first-come, first-served basis: leftover licenses go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. MT on August 4 online, in person and by phone.
Yes, you may find a license you failed to draw during the Primary Draw! The Secondary Draw includes reissued licenses. This means that if a license took four or fewer preference points for a resident to draw in the 2025 primary draw, it can be reissued.
Some things to remember about the secondary draw
- You must have a qualifying license to apply for the secondary draw. Fall turkey licenses are valid qualifying licenses!
- The $8.93 resident and $11.49 nonresident application fees apply.
- The secondary draw does not use preference points, and you cannot apply for preference points.
- Applications are for individuals only, not groups.
- Youth receive preference for all hunt codes in the secondary draw.
Apply for the Secondary Draw Online Through your CPWshop Account
- Sign in to your CPW account at cpwshop.com. Do not create a new account if you already have one.
- Confirm your account details (personal information, unique identifier, contact details, etc.), or make any necessary updates.
- Hover over “Go Hunting & Fishing” in the blue banner at the top of the page and click on “Buy Big Game Licenses,” listed under “Hunting Licenses” in the dropdown menu. (On your mobile phone, click on the three-bar icon in the upper lefthand corner and then select “Go Hunting & Fishing” from the dropdown menu.)
- Select residency and click “Proceed.”
- Be sure you have your qualifying license before you begin your application.
- Select the species you want to apply for (deer, elk, pronghorn and bear), then click the “Apply Now” button in the dropdown menu.
- Fill out the application with your hunt code selections (enter up to four choices per species) and hit “Submit.”
- Application fees will be charged at this time.
- Successful applicants will have the credit card they have on file in their account charged after the draw. The payment deadline is July 21, 2026, 11:59 p.m. MT.
- Note: Do not buy another license or redeem a voucher for the same species until after you receive the results of your secondary draw application.
You may also submit your application by phone at 800-244-5613. If you have additional questions, please call our customer service line: 303-297-1192 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon–Fri.
Resources
- 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.
- 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.
