Colorado Big Game Draw 2026 | How Non-Residents Apply for Elk, Mule Deer & Pronghorn

Colorado Big Game Draw 2026 | How Non-Residents Apply for Elk, Mule Deer & Pronghorn

How to Apply for Colorado Big-Game Tags in 2026 (Non-Resident Guide)

Welcome to Backbone Unlimited. My name is Matt Hartsky. This article continues our state-by-state series showing non-resident hunters how to apply for the most popular Western big-game states. We’ll cover Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, and Utah—so stay tuned for each.

Today we’re breaking down Colorado—specifically how non-residents can apply for elk, mule deer, and pronghorn in 2026.

Colorado offers one of the most opportunity-rich draw systems in the West, but there are more rules, deadlines, and small details than many hunters realize. If you’ve ever logged into the Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) website and felt lost between qualifying licenses, preference points, hunt codes, and tag caps, you’re not alone.

The good news: once you understand how the system works, Colorado becomes predictable. You can build points, track trends, and plan meaningful hunts year after year. This guide breaks it all down so you can apply confidently and maximize your opportunities.

Understanding Colorado’s Draw System

Colorado’s big-game draw is structured around three phases:

  1. The Primary Draw

  2. The Secondary Draw

  3. Leftover & Reissued Tag Sales

Preference points only matter in the Primary Draw. After that, it’s a clean slate.

If you don’t draw your first choice in the primary draw, you’ll gain one preference point for that species. That’s the currency of Colorado’s system.

Three Phases of the Colorado Draw

1) Primary Draw

This is where points matter. The hunters with the most points for a hunt code get first priority until all tags are allocated. Only your first choice counts for points. Second–fourth choices are long shots and rarely fill.

If you fail to draw your first choice, you get one preference point.

2) Secondary Draw

Any unclaimed tags from the primary draw roll into the secondary draw. Preference points are not used here, and you don’t lose or gain points. Everyone has a clean shot, making this a valuable opportunity for newer hunters or anyone building points.

3) Leftover & Reissued Tags

These go on sale in early August. They sell fast—sometimes in minutes. Hunters who are ready early and know which hunt codes they want often walk away with tags.

Reissue tags also show up throughout the summer on a rolling basis, so staying alert can pay off.

Major Changes for 2025–2026: OTC to Limited Archery

Beginning in 2025, Colorado shifted most non-resident archery elk west of I-25 from over-the-counter to limited license only. A few OTC options still exist in parts of eastern Colorado, but most mountain units now require applying in the draw.

If you’ve been relying on OTC elk archery in past years, you must now plan ahead.

Key Dates & Deadlines

  • Primary Application:
    Opens March 1
    Closes first Tuesday in April

  • Secondary Draw:
    Late June (about one week)

  • Leftover/Reissued Tags:
    First Tuesday in August at 9:00 AM

This is a very predictable calendar. If you plug these into your phone now, you’ll never miss a season.

Qualifying License & Habitat Stamp

To even submit an application, non-residents must purchase a qualifying license:

  • Annual small game license (most common)

  • Plus a habitat stamp

Without this, you can’t apply. It’s one of the most common mistakes non-residents make.

Non-Resident Tag Caps: 20% vs. 35%

Colorado caps non-resident allocations:

  • High-demand units (require 6+ resident points to draw):
    Non-residents limited to 20%

  • Other units:
    Non-resident allocation up to 35%

These caps significantly affect odds. The difference between a 20% versus 35% pool can be massive when you’re deciding where to apply.

If you’re just starting out, focusing on 35% units is usually the most realistic path to getting into the field.

Avoiding Application Mistakes

Colorado is strict:

  • Miss the primary deadline? You’re out.

  • Don’t buy a qualifying license? You’re out.

  • Card declines when charged? You lose your tag.

Triple-check your account info, credit card, and deadlines.

Costs

Approximate non-resident fees:

  • Qualifying License: ~$90–$100

  • Habitat Stamp: ~$12

  • Application fee: Few dollars per species

  • Tag (if drawn):

    • Elk: ~$700

    • Mule Deer: ~$450

    • Pronghorn: ~$420

Have a valid card on file through June—it’s charged automatically if you draw.

Colorado’s Preference Point System

Colorado uses a true preference point system:

  • Only your first choice matters

  • If you don’t draw your first choice → you earn 1 point

  • If you draw your first choice → your points reset to zero

  • One point max per species, per year

  • Points are species-specific

Second–fourth choices do not affect points.

Hunt codes are tied to unit, weapon, season dates, and sex class; research them carefully.

Point creep is real, especially in premium elk and mule deer units. Use historical draw reports to predict what is possible with your current point total.

Understanding Non-Resident Point Caps

Because non-residents are limited to 20% or 35% of available tags, your odds are shaped by both:

  1. Preference points

  2. Non-resident pool size

Small quotas can sometimes result in zero tags for non-residents due to rounding.

Long-term strategy: if you want to hunt frequently, focus on mid-tier options that fall under the 35% allocation instead of six-plus-point premium hunts.

Strategy: Primary Draw → Secondary → Leftover

The smartest non-residents use all three opportunities.

Primary: build or burn points
Secondary: equal odds, no points used
Leftover/Reissue: fastest access to general opportunity

If you stay flexible with weapon type, season dates, and unit—you can hunt Colorado nearly every year.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

  1. Go to the CPW website → Buy/Apply

  2. Log in with your CID or create new account

  3. Purchase your qualifying license + habitat stamp

  4. Select species

  5. Enter hunt code(s)

  6. Confirm everything carefully

  7. Add payment method

  8. Submit application

  9. Screenshot confirmation

  10. Track results in late May–early June

If you drew, your card will be charged automatically. If you didn’t draw, you’ll be awarded a preference point.

From there, monitor the secondary draw and leftover tag sales.

Group & Youth Applications

Youth applicants must have their own CID and qualifying license. Group applications average the preference points of all members. If the average is too low, you may reduce your odds—so be intentional.

Building Your Smart Hunt Strategy

The key is building a rotating plan across short-, mid-, and long-term goals:

  • Short-term hunts: 0–2 points

  • Mid-term hunts: 3–5 points

  • Long-term hunts: 6+ points

Short-term hunts keep you in the mountains every year, gaining experience. Mid- and long-term options let you work gradually toward high-value hunts without sacrificing yearly time in the field.

Smart hunters:

  • Study CPW draw reports

  • Track 3–5 years of trends

  • Look below the high-demand threshold

  • Study harvest rates and weapon restrictions

  • Know when to pivot

Success comes from building momentum—not waiting a decade for one dream tag.

Final Takeaways

Colorado rewards hunters who:

  • Understand preference points

  • Track annual trends

  • Use multiple draw phases

  • Stay flexible

  • Apply consistently

Even when you don’t draw, you’re gaining points and moving toward future opportunities.

Treat the application process like part of the hunt. Study the data. Track your points. Mark your deadlines. And stay ready for leftover opportunities.

It’s not about luck—it’s about execution.

TRAIN HARDER. HUNT SMARTER. NEVER SETTLE.
— MATT HARTSKY

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