Colorado Hunting Guide
High country elk and mule deer hunting with OTC and draw tags. Seasons vary by unit; rifle has multiple segments. Check CPW for unit-specific dates and OTC availability—some units now limited.
Colorado Hunting Seasons 2026
| Species | Archery | Firearm |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | Sep 2-30, 2026 | 1st rifle Oct 14-18; 2nd Oct 24-Nov 1; 3rd Nov 7-15; 4th late Nov (GMU-specific) |
| Mule Deer | Sep 2-30, 2026 | 1st rifle Oct 14-18; 2nd Oct 24-Nov 1; 3rd Nov 7-15; 4th Nov 18-22; Plains Oct-Dec (BGSS) |
* Season dates are approximate and may vary by zone or unit. Always verify with your state wildlife agency for current regulations before hunting.
Hunting Highlights
Key Species in Colorado
Public Land Access
Colorado has approximately 23 million acres of public land available for hunting, including national forests, BLM land, and state wildlife management areas.
Colorado Hunting Articles
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Colorado Elk Hunting 2026: Season Dates, Draw Changes, GMUs & Nonresident Guide
Colorado elk hunting 2026—archery, muzzleloader, and rifle season dates, Big Game Season Structure, Gunnison Basin OTC changes, draw deadlines, license costs, top GMUs, and nonresident guide.
Colorado Mule Deer Hunting 2026: Season Dates, Draw-Only Tags, Top GMUs & Nonresident Guide
Colorado mule deer hunting 2026—archery, muzzleloader, and rifle season dates, draw-only license structure, primary and secondary draw deadlines, nonresident license costs, CWD rules, top trophy GMUs including the Book Cliffs and San Juan Mountains, and the complete guide to hunting the West's most iconic mule deer country.
Colorado Fishing 2026: Licenses, High-Country Trout, and Front Range Reservoirs
Colorado fishing 2026—license options, CPW regulation links, gold-medal water checks, second-rod stamps, Front Range lakes, and ANS inspection rules.
Colorado Brown Trout Fishing 2026: Rivers, Limits, and Tactics
Colorado brown trout in 2026—wild and stocked populations, CPW regulations by water, best regional habitats, and strategies for stream and tailwater fishing.
Colorado Kokanee Salmon Fishing 2026: Reservoirs, Snagging Seasons, and Tactics
Colorado kokanee salmon in 2026—where landlocked sockeye run, CPW rules for open-water and tributary fishing, population context, and gear tactics for trolling and jigging.
Colorado Largemouth Bass Fishing 2026: Plains Reservoirs, Limits, and Tactics
Colorado largemouth bass in 2026—warm-water distribution, CPW bag and length rules, Front Range and Eastern Plains fisheries, and seasonal tactics for reservoirs and urban ponds.
Colorado Rainbow Trout Fishing 2026: Waters, Limits, and How to Catch Them
Colorado rainbow trout in 2026—where they live, CPW bag limits and special regulations, stocking and wild populations, and tactics for tailwaters, reservoirs, and high-country streams.
Colorado Walleye Fishing 2026: Reservoirs, Limits, and Night Tactics
Colorado walleye in 2026—where CPW manages saugeye and walleye fisheries, how to read bag and length rules, population context, and proven tactics for trolling, jigging, and low-light fishing.
Colorado Spring Turkey Hunting 2026: Seasons, Licenses & Draws
Colorado spring turkey 2026—limited spring seasons by unit, CPW licenses and limited draws, Merriam’s habitat, and public land scouting.