It’s almost leftover day – that time of year when Colorado Parks and Wildlife makes all remaining big-game hunting limited licenses available for purchase. This year, leftover licenses go on sale Tuesday, August 4 at 9 a.m (MT). Licenses will be available for purchase online (CPWshop.com), in person at CPW offices and license retailers (sporting goods stores, hunting and fishing supply stores, etc.), and by phone at 1-800-244-5613. While there are no guarantees that you will get a license on leftover day, there is a great deal of opportunity for big-game hunters looking to purchase a deer, elk, pronghorn or bear hunting license.
What are leftover limited licenses?
Limited licenses are a set (limited) number of licenses available for specific game management units (GMU) and specific dates for each species.
What license will be available on August 4, 2026?
NOTE: You could see a license that you applied for during the Primary or Secondary Draws on the leftover list! Returned or failed to pay limited licenses (excluding Ranching for Wildlife) that required 4 or less preference points during the primary draw will be available on the leftover list.
- Limited licenses leftover after the primary and secondary draws for elk, deer, pronghorn and bear
- Limited elk, deer, pronghorn, and bear licenses that someone drew but surrendered or did not pay for during the secondary draw that took fewer than five resident preference points.
- Limited licenses that were returned for refund/preference point restoration since the opening of the secondary draw but prior to July 29 and took fewer than five resident preference points to draw.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) licenses for elk, archery pronghorn, whitetail deer, and bear
Leftover & Over-the-Counter Licenses Sales Start Dates and Times
- 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
Pro Tip: Understanding Huntcodes
Hunt codes contain a lot of information, and learning how to read hunt codes can ensure that you purchase the right hunt. The Leftover list is full of 8-character hunt codes used to designate species, sex, GMU, season, and method of take.
Preparing for Leftover Day
It is important to have your online account set up, and that you are familiar with how to purchase a license before the event begins. Leftover day is always a busy morning with the majority of licenses sold within the first hour. Be prepared by completing the following checklist BEFORE purchases begin on Tuesday, August 4 at 9:00 a.m (MDT).
- Validate or create your online customer account.
- If you are an existing customer, log in to CPWshop.com to confirm that you can access your account. If you forgot your password, click “Forgot your password?” on the login screen and follow the directions. If you are experiencing issues logging in to your account, please call CPW at 303-297-1192 (M-F, 8am-5pm MT) or Aspira at 800-244-5613 (24/7) for assistance BEFORE leftover day.
- If you are unsure whether or not you are a customer with an online account, please use “LOOK UP YOUR PROFILE” to see if you have an existing account. CAUTION: Please DO NOT create multiple accounts. Purchasing licenses with multiple accounts could potentially invalidate your license.
- If you are a new customer (meaning you have never used CPWshop.com; purchased a CPW license or pass on bright green paper; made a Colorado state park camping reservation since 2018; registered an OHV, boat or snowmobile; or do not have a Reserve America account), please create an account. If you are experiencing issues creating an account, please call CPW at 303-297-1192 (M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. MT) or Aspira at 800-244-5613 (24/7) for assistance.
- Confirm account details.
- Check that your contact info is correct, including phone, email and mailing address.
NOTE: You will need to enter your credit card information when you check out (VISA, MASTERCARD OR DISCOVER). Your credit card on file will not be charged automatically.
Need help finding Game and Public Access?
Pre-scouting hunt codes with powerful online maps can help you identify public land access and take some of the guesswork out of what we will encounter when our boots hit the ground.
Modern mapping tools provide hunters with a variety of map layers, including road, satellite, and topographic views that combine to provide a valuable preview of the landscape. The maps allow hunters to focus on potential hunting locations by identifying water sources and habitat that might appeal to bear, deer, elk, and pronghorn.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Colorado Hunting Atlas goes a step beyond providing terrain details and adds layers that display species-specific data. Even if you are hundreds or thousands of miles away from the GMU for which you’re looking to purchase a license, the atlas can help you identify where you can expect to find animals; how animals move during periods of migration; and where the animals’ summer and winter concentrations can be found. Admittedly, these sophisticated mapping tools take some patience and practice to master, but the benefits provided are game-changing.
What’s Next
If you are unable to purchase a leftover license on August 4. You can still purchase an Over-the-Counter (OTC) Licenses. OTC licenses do not require buying/having a qualifying license, do not use preference points and may be purchased any time before and during a season. Although they are considered “unlimited licenses,” they are still subject to purchase limits for each individual. Please see the Big Game Brochure for valid OTC units.
Additionally, beginning August 11th for bear, deer, elk, and pronghorn, the reissue preview list will be posted on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. MT. This list will preview all available limited licenses, including eligible returned licenses. These licenses will be available for purchase on the following Wednesday of every week, starting the week after leftover licenses go on sale.
Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure
Thanks, hunters!
Revenue generated from hunting and fishing activities constitutes around 70 percent of our wildlife management funds. For almost two centuries, this model has been a large part of the reason why Colorado’s wildlife is so healthy and abundant.
Learn more about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
Good luck, and have a safe and successful 2026 Colorado big-game hunting season!
