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Colorado Hunting License

Colorado Hunting License Cost 2026

CO resident and non-resident fees, deer tags, turkey permits — plus a calculator for your full season total.

Colorado Hunting Overview

Colorado is home to the largest elk herd in North America, and its hunting license system reflects that status — a dramatic gap between an affordable resident license and one of the highest non-resident base fees in the country. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages a largely draw-dependent big game system for premium units, alongside leftover and over-the-counter tags in less competitive areas. Understanding Colorado's preference point system, stacked fee structure, and draw deadlines is essential for planning a realistic elk or deer hunting season, whether resident or non-resident.

CO Hunting License Fees at a Glance

Resident Annual
$38.49
Base license
Non-Resident Annual
$104.86
Base license
Deer Tag (Res.)
$51.25
Separate tag ($38.49 base fee is a small-game qualifier, not deer)

Fees are approximate 2025–2026 rates. Verify at Colorado Parks & Wildlife.

Structure note: Colorado doesn't sell one flat hunting license — every hunter first buys a small-game qualifying license (shown above) plus a required Habitat Stamp (~$12.76), then applies for big-game tags (deer, elk) separately through the draw. The figures above are the small-game base only; budget significantly more for any big-game hunt.

CO Hunting Cost Calculator

Select your residency and the tags you need. Your estimated total updates instantly.

$38.49
+$51.25
+$35.12
+$11.78
+$27.00
Estimated Season Total
$38.49
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Complete Colorado Hunting License Fee Schedule

License / TagResidentNon-ResidentNotes
Annual Hunting License$38.49$104.86Base license
Deer Tag$51.25$500.00Deer license, separate from base/qualifying license
Spring Turkey Tag$35.12$35.12Per tag
Archery Endorsement$11.78$11.78Required for bow season
Federal Duck Stamp$27.00$27.00Required for waterfowl
Senior Resident64+ reduced—Verify at Colorado Parks & Wildlife
YouthUnder 18 reduced—Junior hunting license
Active Duty MilitaryActive duty reduced—With military ID

Colorado Hunting License Fees — What You're Actually Paying For

Colorado's $104.86 non-resident base license is the highest of any state covered in this guide besides Montana — a reflection of the state's status as home to the largest elk herd in North America and some of the most sought-after big game hunting in the country. Add the $382 non-resident deer tag and total licensing costs for an out-of-state Colorado deer hunt quickly climb past $940.

Residents get a dramatically better deal: $38.49 for the base license and $38 for a deer tag, putting the full resident cost under $75 — a small fraction of what non-residents pay for the same access. That resident-to-non-resident gap (more than 15x on the base license alone) is among the widest of any state in this guide, similar in spirit to Montana's pricing but even more pronounced.

Colorado runs almost entirely on a limited-draw system for its best units, particularly for elk and premium deer tags, with leftover and over-the-counter options in less competitive units. Archery ($11.78) and turkey ($35.12) are both separate add-ons rather than bundled, so hunters pursuing multiple seasons should budget for each piece individually rather than assuming one fee covers everything.

Colorado's preference point system rewards hunters who apply every year but don't draw a tag, particularly for premium elk and deer units — a structure similar to Wyoming's, where serious hunters apply annually for years before drawing their target unit. Leftover licenses in less competitive units go on sale after the primary draw results are released.

Colorado vs. Nearby States: Hunting License Cost Comparison

Here's how Colorado's resident and non-resident hunting license fees stack up against nearby or commonly compared states.

StateResidentNon-Resident
Colorado (this page)$38.49$104.86
Wyoming$37.00$326.00
Utah$40.00$144.00
New Mexico$25.00$90.00
Montana$10.00$50.00
Colorado vs. Nearby States — Resident vs. Non-Resident ($) Resident Non-Resident Colorado (this state) $38.49 $104.86 Wyoming $37.00 $326.00 Utah $40.00 $144.00 New Mexico $25.00 $90.00 Montana $10.00 $50.00
Chart: annual base license fees, resident vs. non-resident. Source: state wildlife agency sites, verified July 2026.

How to Buy a Colorado Hunting License

Colorado hunting licenses and tags are sold through CPW's online licensing system, by phone, or at license agents statewide. Online purchases generate an instant digital license. Because most competitive Colorado units require a draw application with its own deadline (typically in spring for fall hunts), both residents and non-residents should apply well ahead of season — leftover and over-the-counter tags are available in less competitive units after the draw results are released.

Buying a CO License, Step by Step

1. Go to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife online licensing portal (or call/visit an agent in person).
2. Select residency status and the license type — base license, plus any required deer, turkey, or archery add-ons.
3. Enter hunter education certification details if this is your first license, or your existing customer ID if you've bought one before.
4. Pay online for an instant digital license, or complete the purchase in person.
5. Print or save your license and any tags to your phone, and review current season dates for your specific zone or unit before heading out.

Colorado Residency Rules & License Exemptions

Colorado requires residents to have lived in the state for at least 6 months immediately before applying, with a Colorado driver's license or state ID as proof, and extends reduced rates to active-duty military stationed in Colorado. Residents 64 and older and youth under 18 qualify for reduced pricing. Colorado does not offer a broad landowner exemption — owning hunting land in the state does not by itself waive the license or tag draw requirements.

Is a Colorado Hunting License Worth It?

Is Colorado's $104.86 non-resident license worth it? For hunters targeting the state's renowned elk herds or premium mule deer units, yes — Colorado offers arguably the best public-land big game access of any state in this guide. For hunters purely after an affordable whitetail deer trip, Southeastern states offer dramatically cheaper access.

Other State Hunting License Costs

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Colorado Hunting Season Dates

SeasonTypical DatesNotes
Deer — ArcheryAugust – SeptemberCheck zone/unit dates
Deer — General FirearmOctober – NovemberVaries by zone/unit
Spring Wild TurkeyApril – May$35.12 tag required
Waterfowl / DuckOctober – JanuaryDuck Stamp + state validation
Colorado Hunting Season Timeline Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Deer — Archery Deer — General Firearm Spring Wild Turkey Waterfowl / Duck
Typical season windows shown by month. Exact open/close dates vary by zone or unit — verify with the state wildlife agency each year.

Season dates vary by zone/unit. Verify your area's exact calendar at Colorado Parks & Wildlife.

Frequently Asked Questions — CO Hunting License

How much is a hunting license in Colorado?
A Colorado resident hunting license costs $38.49 per year. A non-resident license costs $104.86. Deer hunting requires a separate deer license, about $51.25 for residents and roughly $500.00 for non-residents (the $38.49 base figure is a small-game qualifying license, not the deer tag). A turkey tag costs an additional $35.12. Verify current rates with Colorado Parks & Wildlife before purchasing.
How much is a Colorado non-resident hunting license?
A Colorado non-resident annual hunting license costs $104.86. Non-resident deer tag pricing should be confirmed with Colorado Parks & Wildlife. The Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required separately for waterfowl hunting.
Do I need a separate deer tag in Colorado?
Yes — Colorado requires a separate deer license costing about $51.25 for residents and roughly $500.00 for non-residents. The $38.49 figure often cited as the base license is actually a required small-game qualifying license, not the deer tag itself.
When is deer season in Colorado?
Colorado's general firearm deer season typically runs October – November, with archery season running August – September. Season dates vary by zone or unit — always check the current year's dates at Colorado Parks & Wildlife before hunting.
Do seniors get a discount on Colorado hunting licenses?
Colorado residents qualify for a senior hunting license benefit: 64+ reduced. Active duty military members also qualify for a discount (Active duty reduced). Verify current senior and military rates directly with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Why is Colorado's non-resident hunting license so expensive?
At $104.86, Colorado's non-resident base license reflects the state's status as home to the largest elk herd in North America and intense demand for its big game hunting — among the highest non-resident fees of any state, alongside Montana.
Do I need to apply for a draw to hunt in Colorado?
For most competitive units, yes — particularly for elk and premium deer tags. Leftover and over-the-counter tags are available in less competitive units after the draw, but popular areas require an application with its own spring deadline.
Is archery included in Colorado's hunting license?
No — Colorado charges a separate $11.78 archery fee on top of the base license and deer tag, similar to Ohio's or New Jersey's stacked-fee approach rather than a fully bundled license.
What is Colorado's preference point system?
Preference points accumulate each year a hunter applies for a draw unit but doesn't draw a tag, improving future odds for premium elk and deer units — similar to Wyoming's system, where competitive units can take many years of points to draw.
Are leftover Colorado tags available after the draw?
Yes — Colorado releases leftover and over-the-counter tags in less competitive units after the primary draw results are announced, giving both residents and non-residents another chance at a tag without waiting a full year.
How does Colorado's license compare to Wyoming's?
Colorado's $104.86 non-resident base license is dramatically higher than Wyoming's $326.00, though both states offer renowned elk and mule deer hunting through competitive draw systems.
Does Colorado offer a lifetime hunting license?
Colorado offers lifetime license options for residents through CPW, though the state's draw system for premium units still requires separate tag applications regardless of license type.
When is duck and waterfowl season in Colorado?
Colorado's general waterfowl season runs approximately October – January, though exact opener dates are set annually within federal USFWS framework dates and can vary by zone. A Federal Duck Stamp ($27) is required for all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older, on top of your Colorado hunting license — check Colorado Parks & Wildlife each year for the confirmed season dates in your zone.
What do I need to buy a Colorado hunting license?
You'll typically need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license or state ID), your hunter education certification number if this is your first license, and a form of payment. Online purchases through Colorado Parks & Wildlife accept major credit or debit cards and issue your license instantly; in-person purchases at a license agent may also accept cash or check depending on the retailer.
What's the total cost for a full deer, turkey, and archery season in Colorado?
Adding the Colorado qualifying license ($38.49) to a deer license ($51.25), a turkey tag ($35.12), and an archery endorsement ($11.78), a resident hunter pursuing all three in the same season pays roughly $136.64 total before the $27 Federal Duck Stamp needed for waterfowl. Non-resident totals run higher across the board — check Colorado Parks & Wildlife for exact current tag prices before budgeting a multi-species season.
Does Colorado require hunter education to get a hunting license?
Yes — like nearly every U.S. state, Colorado requires hunter education certification for first-time license buyers born after a state-set cutoff date, typically covering firearm safety, ethics, and wildlife identification. Hunters who haven't completed the course yet can often still get afield through an apprentice or mentored hunting license, which lets a certified adult bring along an uncertified newcomer for one or more license years before certification is required.

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