Hunting seasons start in Colorado: How hunters and outdoor recreationists can prepare and new regulations hunters need to know
Two bull elk use their antlers to battle for mates during their annual breeding season called 'the rut'. Photo courtesty of Wayne D. Lewis/CPW
September 2, 2026
DENVER — The 2026 hunting seasons have begun, and hunters are gearing up for exciting adventures. However, hunters aren’t the only ones rushing to the outdoors this fall to enjoy everything Colorado has to offer.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) emphasizes the shared responsibility of safety among hunters, hikers, bikers, leaf peepers, wildlife viewers, and OHV users. As most of Colorado's outdoors is multi-use, it's crucial for both hunters and nonhunters to show respect and courtesy to all users engaged in outdoor recreation.
Plan your adventure
Find locations to hunt using the Colorado Hunting Atlas. This resource allows you to find public land, save topographic maps, view big game migration corridors and concentration areas, and view OHV trails. CPW also encourages hunters and outdoor recreationists to download the free Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) mobile app to check active fire alerts before heading out on trails.
How can nonhunters prepare for hunting season?
The majority of public lands in Colorado are open to multiple types of recreational use. There is no need to limit your outdoor activities in the fall; however, nonhunters should recognize that hunters are on the landscape and take additional precautions.
A general knowledge of hunting season dates and safety tips can help keep you safe. See the 2026 Big Game Brochure for a complete list of season dates.
- Big game season dates:
- Rifle bear season - Sept. 2-30, 2026
- Archery season - Sept. 2-30, 2026
- Muzzleloader season - Sept. 12-20, 2026
- Rifle seasons
- 1st season - Oct. 14-18, 2026
- 2nd season - Oct. 24 to Nov. 1, 2026
- 3rd season - Nov. 7-15, 2026
- 4th season - Nov. 18-22, 2026
Please note it is illegal to intentionally interfere with hunters, including causing animals to flee, denying access to public areas, or injecting yourself into the line of fire.
Hunters' role in wildlife conservation
Colorado manages its wildlife using the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, the cornerstone of modern wildlife conservation across the United States. This revolutionary model uses hunting and fishing fees to fund conservation efforts and protects wildlife from exploitation, habitat destruction, or extinction.
For almost two centuries, this model has been a large part of the reason why Colorado’s wildlife is so healthy and abundant. This model is still the most successful wildlife management model in the world.
Hunters also play an essential role in CPW’s chronic wasting disease (CWD) management. Their participation in mandatory CWD testing initiatives is vital to wildlife managers’ ability to assess the disease's prevalence and make data-driven management decisions.
Bag limits adopted for 17 furbearer species
Coyote, badger, fox (red, gray, swift), mink, muskrat, opossum, pine marten, raccoon, ring-tailed cat, skunk (striped, western spotted), weasel (long-tailed, short-tailed), beaver, and bobcat daily bag limits have been updated from unlimited to 2.
Mandatory checks added for beaver harvest, beaver season now Oct. 1–March 31 annually
Beaver season now Oct. 1–March 31 annually. The annual beaver season formerly ended on April 30. Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, avocational beaver hunters will be required to personally present beaver hides/pelts to CPW for physical sealing to provide more accurate spatial information and help with harvest monitoring.
Gray wolves and coyotes: how to spot the differences
Coyotes and gray wolves can look similar from a distance. CPW created a Coyote or Gray Wolf - How to Spot the Differences Handout to help you spot the differences.
The federal Endangered Species Act and state law protect gray wolves in Colorado. Penalties for illegally killing a gray wolf can vary and can include substantial fines, jail time, and loss of hunting privileges. Find more wolf educational resources at cpw.state.co.us/living-wolves.
Additional hunting licenses
Read the “What’s New” page in the Big Game Hunting Brochure or watch the ‘What’s New’ 2026 Colorado Big Game video to see game management unit-specific changes for 2026.
Additional limited licenses are still available for deer, elk, pronghorn, and bear, and you can still purchase over-the-counter licenses for bear, elk, pronghorn, and white-tailed deer. Limited licenses that weren't issued in the primary or secondary draws, along with reissued licenses that were returned by other hunters, go on the Leftover List and are available for purchase in-person at any CPW sales location, online, or over the phone at 1800-244-5613. A Reissue Preview List is posted every Tuesday with hunter-returned licenses that become available for purchase every Wednesday morning. Additional details are available on CPW’s website.
If you have questions about setting up your accounts, planning your hunts, or purchasing licenses, customer service representatives and hunt planners are available Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. MT at 303-297-1192. Hunting resources are available at cpw.state.co.us/hunting.
Learn more about outdoor recreation opportunities in Colorado at cpw.state.co.us.
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