HUNTING LICENSES

A Hunting License is required in the state of Colorado to hunt any game animal. There are a variety of license types available depending on your age, residency status, and what type of game you plan to hunt. Some of the hunting license types in Colorado include:   

Big Game Licenses

There are a wide variety of big game license types available – these license types are available to both residents and non-residents. Big game licenses in Colorado are issued per-game species, and hunters must obtain the correct license for the species they plan to hunt. Big game license types available include deer, bear, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, mountain lion and turkey, among others. 

Small Game Licenses

There are a variety of small game license types available, including single or multi-day license types, game animal-specific license types, furbearer licenses, and hunting-fishing combination licenses. The type of license needed will depend on the type of game being hunted. These license types are available to both residents and non-residents. 

Apprentice Hunter Certificate

This license type is available to hunters who are 10 years of age or older and is a waiver that exempts the hunter from the state hunter education requirement for a period of one year. It can be obtained twice in the hunter’s life-time, and is valid from March 1st to March 31st of the following year. For more information on the Apprentice Hunter Certificate, and who is eligible to obtain one, visit the CPW Website. 

GAME SPECIES

Colorado offers a wide variety of game species for all types of hunters. Game species in Colorado include:

• Big game including deer, bear, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and turkey.
• Small game including pigeon, partridge, crow, starlings, grouse, pheasant, and quail.  
• Waterfowl and other migratory game birds including ducks, geese, and dove.
• Furbearers including beaver, bobcat, marmot, coyote, badger, mink, and fox among others.

NON-GAME SPECIES

Nongame species within the state of Colorado make up a majority of the state’s wildlife and include mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates which typically may not be hunted, are considered a nuisance, or are protected, endangered, or at risk. There is, unfortunately, a lengthy list of endangered, protected, and threatened species within the state. For more information on nongame, and endangered species within the state visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Endangered Species page.   

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive animals and other pests have been introduced to the United States, including the State of Colorado, and have become a threat to native wildlife. These animals, plants, fish, and invertebrates typically have no natural predators which can result in the rapid spread and population growth. This in turn can seriously harm the state’s lands and waters and can be detrimental to the health and population numbers of a variety of the state’s native plants and animals. Some common invasive species in Colorado include quagga mussels, emerald ash borer, purple loosestrife, and gypsy moths, among others. 

In order to protect Colorado’s native plants and animals, invasive species must be controlled and eradicated. Anyone who encounters or suspects that they have encountered an invasive species within the state is encouraged to report the sighting so that it can be monitored and controlled. For information on how to report various types of invasive species in Colorado visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Invasive Species page. 

PRIVATE LAND

Much of the land in Colorado is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property. Hunters who wish to take game on privately owned land must follow state hunting regulations as well as any regulations specified by the landowner. Hunters must ensure they respect the rights and property of the landowner at all times. 

PUBLIC LAND

With more than 23 million acres of public land through the state, Colorado offers an abundance of public hunting opportunities within wildlife areas, conservation areas, state parks, and forests. State-managed public lands are spaces that are designated for wildlife and habitat managed, and conservation and provide a variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation including hunting, trapping, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching. 

State-managed lands may also have specific rules and regulations in place that must be followed by all land users. Hunters should check the regulations that apply within the public hunting area they plan to visit.

For more information on the rules and regulations that apply to hunters and other recreational users of state lands, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.

Hunting in Colorado’s State Wildlife Areas

State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) In Colorado are designated as public lands that are state-owned and managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.  There are more than 300 State Wildlife Areas in the state of Colorado, encompassing millions of acres of mountainous regions, foothills, forests, grasslands, and wetlands, and other natural areas. These spaces are open to hunting and other types of outdoor recreational activities. 

State Wildlife Area Regulations

Additional rules, regulations, and restrictions may apply when hunting in State Wildlife Areas or using them for other recreational purposes. Regulations will often be posted within the area and may vary depending on the Wildlife Area you’re accessing. Some of these regulations may include:

• Firearm type restrictions and take method restrictions
• Restrictions on training dogs for hunting purposes
• Restrictions on motor vehicle access
• Additional licensing or permit requirements
• Camping and other recreational use restrictions