Colorado 2026 Hunting Tags On Sale
Colorado has opened sales for 2026 big game hunting and fishing licenses. Given the state's popularity for elk, deer, and trout, early application is recommended to maximize draw odds and secure preferred hunting units and dates.
The primary draw for big game licenses runs from March 1 to April 7, 2026, at 8 p.m. MT. All applications must be submitted online or by phone, and hunters are required to purchase a qualifying license before applying. Draw results will be posted online from May 26-29. A significant change for the 2026 season is the mandatory CWD testing for all elk harvested during rifle seasons in specific hunt codes. This measure is being implemented by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to better assess the prevalence of chronic wasting disease in elk herds. There will be no mandatory CWD testing for deer in 2026. Colorado employs a preference point system for its big game draw. Hunters who are unsuccessful in drawing their first-choice license receive a preference point for that species, increasing their odds in future drawings. Some high-demand elk and deer units can require 10 or more points to guarantee a tag. For moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat, a weighted preference point system is used. Applicants must accumulate three preference points before being entered into the draw. After that, they can acquire weighted points to further increase their chances. Revenue from hunting and fishing license sales, which totaled over $96 million in the 2018-19 fiscal year, is a primary funding source for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This money, along with funds from the required Habitat Stamp, directly supports wildlife conservation efforts and the management of the state's 350-plus State Wildlife Areas. In 2019, CPW recorded 978,668 applications for big game licenses, ultimately selling 361,089. That year, 215,351 elk licenses were sold, reflecting the species' popularity in a state that is home to the world's largest free-ranging elk population.
