Colorado 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Colorado's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Oct 14-18, 2026.
Archery - West of I-25 and GMU 140 Deer (Mule/Whitetail) opens Sep 2, 2026 and closes Sep 30, 2026.
Private Land Only (PLO) Deer opens Aug 15, 2026 and closes Jan 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
- firearm deer
- Oct 14-18, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 2-30, 2026
- deer
- Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Colorado Parks & Wildlife before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Colorado
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 1 station in Colorado. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Deer
Deer
Private Land Only (PLO)
Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
PLO deer season lies within August 15 - January 31 annually. Limited either-sex and antlerless deer licenses issued by GMU/DAU as needed. PLO buck licenses available where necessary.
Zone: Private Land Only
Deer
Rifle - First Regular (Optional Deer)
Oct 14-18, 2026
5-day season opening first Wednesday after October 8th. Deer and elk combined season, deer hunting is optional. All optional deer licenses are limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - Second Regular Combined
Oct 24-Nov 1, 2026
9-day season followed by 5-day break. Opens on Saturday, includes two full weekends. All deer licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - Third Regular Combined
Nov 7-15, 2026
9-day season followed by 2-day break. Opens on Saturday. All deer licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer
Rifle - Fourth Regular Combined (Optional Deer)
Nov 18-22, 2026
5-day season. Deer and elk combined, deer hunting is optional. All licenses limited. Limited either-sex or limited antlered, and limited antlerless; issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer - High Country
Rifle - High Country
Sep 12-20, 2026
Limited 9-day antlered deer season, opening first or second Saturday of September to avoid Labor Day weekend.
Zone: High Country/Wilderness portions of select deer units
Deer - Plains
Archery - Plains
Oct 1-Dec 31, 2026
Plains archery deer season runs 10/01-10/23 and 11/04-11/30 and 12/15-12/31 OR 10/01-10/23 and 11/04-12/31 OR 10/01-11/30 and 12/15-12/31 depending on unit. Season closes during plains rifle seasons. All licenses limited, either-sex or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Muzzleloader - Plains
Oct 10-18, 2026
9-day season starting second Saturday of October. All licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Rifle - Plains Regular
Oct 24-Nov 3, 2026
11-day season starting Saturday of last full weekend of October. All licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer - Plains
Rifle - Late Plains
Dec 1-14, 2026
Late plains rifle deer season, fixed dates annually. All licenses limited. Antlered and antlerless deer or antlered deer only, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMU 140
Deer (Mule/Whitetail)
Archery - West of I-25 and GMU 140
Sep 2-30, 2026
29-day season. All archery deer licenses are limited either-sex or limited buck, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Deer (Mule/Whitetail)
Muzzleloader - West of I-25 and GMU 140
Sep 12-20, 2026
9-day season opening second Saturday of September. Limited either-sex or limited antlered, and limited antlerless in some GMUs; all licenses issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Turkey
23 listed rowsWild Turkey
Spring OTC
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
OTC license sales begin March 1 at 9 a.m. MT. Valid in numerous units statewide (shaded on map). Also valid on private land only in units 91, 92, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 127, 129, 132, 139. Closed units: 26, 45, 201, 371, 471. Sales agents only code: T-M-000-U1-R.
Zone: Statewide OTC units - see notes
Wild Turkey
Spring Ranching for Wildlife - Purgatoire Ranch
Apr 11-20, 2026
RFW license, Colorado residents only by draw. 5 licenses. Hunt code: T-M-136-W1-R.
Zone: Units 136, 143, 144, 147
Wild Turkey
Spring Limited License - Youth Only
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
Youth-only limited licenses available for various unit groupings. 125 licenses for units 91/92/96/101/102, 35 for 103/107/109, 15 for 124/125/129, 10 for unit 59. Must be accompanied by mentor if under 16.
Zone: Units 91, 92, 96, 101, 102 (youth); Units 103, 107, 109 (youth); Units 124, 125, 129 (youth); Unit 59 Beaver Creek SWA/Table Mtn. STL (youth)
Wild Turkey
Spring Limited License - Hunters with Mobility Impairments
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
10 licenses for qualified hunters with mobility impairments. Valid only on private land in units 91, 92, and 96 for specific dates. Go to cpw.state.co.us/hunters-with-disabilities for more info.
Zone: Units 91, 92, 96 - private land only
Wild Turkey
Spring Limited License
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
Units vary; most spring limited licenses run April 11-May 31. Unit 59 (Beaver Creek SWA and Table Mtn. STL only) has two periods: April 11-May 1 and May 2-31. Units 91, 92, 96, 101/102, 103/107/109 also split into two periods: April 11-May 1 and May 2-31. Unit 96 private land only: April 11-May 1 and May 2-31. Rifles and handguns illegal in spring season.
Zone: Various GMUs - see notes
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth Limited License
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
Youth-only limited licenses available for several unit groups. Unit 59 youth (Beaver Creek SWA and Table Mtn. STL only): April 11-May 31, 10 licenses (T-M-059-K1-R). Units 91/92/96/101/102 youth: April 11-May 31, 125 licenses (T-M-091-K1-R). Units 103/107/109 youth: April 11-May 31, 35 licenses (T-M-103-K1-R). Units 124/125/129 youth: April 11-May 31, 15 licenses (T-M-124-K1-R).
Zone: Various GMUs including 59, 91/92/96/101/102, 103/107/109, 124/125/129
Wild Turkey
Spring Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Apr 11-May 31, 2026
OTC license sales begin March 1 at 9 a.m. MT. Valid in listed units including some private-land-only units (91, 92, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 127, 129, 132, 139). Use code T-M-000-U1-R (sales agents only). Units 26, 45, 201, 371, 471 closed to all spring turkey hunting.
Zone: Numerous GMUs west and east of I-25; some private land only units
Wild Turkey
Spring Ranching for Wildlife (RFW) - Purgatoire Ranch
Apr 11-20, 2026
Colorado residents only by draw. Hunt code T-M-136-W1-R. 5 licenses.
Zone: Units 136, 143, 144, 147
Wild Turkey
Spring Ranching for Wildlife - Mountain Meadows Ranch
Apr 22-May 31, 2026
RFW license, Colorado residents only by draw. 10 licenses. Hunt code: T-M-084-W1-R.
Zone: Unit 84
Wild Turkey
Spring Ranching for Wildlife (RFW) - Mountain Meadows Ranch
Apr 22-May 31, 2026
Colorado residents only by draw. Hunt code T-M-084-W1-R. 10 licenses.
Zone: Unit 84
Wild Turkey
Fall OTC
Sep 1-Oct 23, 2026
OTC license sales begin June 18 at 9 a.m. MT. West of I-25 and GMU 140: Sept. 1-Oct. 4. East of I-25 except GMU 140: Sept. 1-Oct. 23. Valid in numerous units. Also valid on private land only in units 101, 102. Sales agents only code: T-E-000-U2-R.
Zone: Statewide OTC units - see notes
Wild Turkey
Fall Limited License - Youth Only
Sep 1-Oct 23, 2026
Youth-only fall limited licenses. 35 licenses for 91/92/96/101/102, 10 for 103/107/109, 15 for 124/125/129.
Zone: Units 91, 92, 96, 101, 102 (youth); Units 103, 107, 109 (youth); Units 124, 125, 129 (youth)
Show 11 more turkey rows
Wild Turkey
Fall Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Sep 1-Oct 23, 2026
OTC license sales begin June 18 at 9 a.m. MT. Use code T-E-000-U2-R (sales agents only). East of I-25 (except GMU 140) season ends Oct. 23. Private land only in units 101, 102.
Zone: East of I-25, except GMU 140
Wild Turkey
Fall Limited License
Sep 1-Oct 4, 2026
Units west of I-25 and GMU 140 end Oct. 4. Units 15/27/37/361, 25, 34, 47, 59 (Beaver Creek SWA/Table Mtn. STL), 85 (Spanish Peaks SWA tracts), 140 (Lake Dorothey and James M. John SWA only), 444, 851 (Bosque del Oso SWA only) all Sept. 1-Oct. 4. Units 2, 21, 26, 30, 35, 36, 44, 45, 80, 81, 89, 90, 93, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 106, 111, 115, 120, 201, 371, 471 closed to all fall turkey hunting.
Zone: Units 15/27/37/361, 25, 34, 47, 59, 85, 140, 444, 851 and others ending Oct. 4
Wild Turkey
Fall Limited License
Sep 1-Oct 23, 2026
Units east of I-25 (except GMU 140) run Sept. 1-Oct. 23. Includes units 91, 92, 96, 101/102, 103/107/109, 124/125/129, 126/146, 127/132, 139. Youth-only limited licenses also available for units 91/92/96/101/102, 103/107/109, 124/125/129.
Zone: Units 91, 92, 96, 101/102, 103/107/109, 124/125/129, 126/146, 127/132, 139 (east of I-25)
Wild Turkey
Fall Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Sep 1-Oct 4, 2026
OTC license sales begin June 18 at 9 a.m. MT. Use code T-E-000-U2-R (sales agents only). West of I-25 and GMU 140 season ends Oct. 4.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Wild Turkey
Fall Limited License
Sep 1-Oct 23, 2026
Multiple units with different end dates. Units 15/27/37/361, 25, 34, 47, 59, 85, 140, 444, 851 close Oct. 4. Units 91, 92, 96, 101/102, 103/107/109, 124/125/129, 126/146, 127/132, 139 close Oct. 23. Closed units: 2, 21, 26, 30, 35, 36, 44, 45, 80, 81, 89, 90, 93, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 106, 111, 115, 120, 201, 371, 471. Earliest open date used; latest close date used.
Zone: Various GMUs - see notes
Wild Turkey
Fall Ranching for Wildlife (RFW) - Purgatoire Ranch
Sep 12-21, 2026
Colorado residents only by draw. Hunt code T-E-136-W1-R. 2 licenses.
Zone: Units 136, 143, 144, 147
Wild Turkey
Fall Ranching for Wildlife - Purgatoire Ranch
Sep 12-21, 2026
RFW license, Colorado residents only by draw. 2 licenses. Hunt code: T-E-136-W1-R.
Zone: Units 136, 143, 144, 147
Wild Turkey
Youth Extended Fall Season
Nov 21-29, 2026
Youth under 18 with unfilled limited or OTC turkey license. Must be accompanied by mentor who cannot hunt. All applicable regulations apply. Big-game hunters may also be in the field.
Zone: Same units as original fall license
Wild Turkey
Youth Extended Fall Season
Nov 21-29, 2026
Youth under 18 with unfilled limited or OTC fall turkey license. Must be accompanied by a mentor who cannot hunt. Valid in units listed on original fall license.
Zone: Units listed on original fall license
Wild Turkey
Late Season Private Land Only OTC
Dec 15, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
Private land only. Available over-the-counter. Get landowner permission before buying a license. Sales agents only code: T-F-000-U2-R.
Zone: Units 112, 113
Wild Turkey
Late Season Private Land Only
Dec 15, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
Available over-the-counter for private land only. Get landowner permission before buying a license. Hunt code T-F-000-U2-R (sales agents only). OTC sales begin June 18.
Zone: Units 112, 113
Bear
Black Bear
Rifle - September
Sep 2-30, 2026
28-day season, fixed dates. Licenses issued by DAU/GMU, no season participation restrictions. Unfilled licenses may not be used during regular deer/elk seasons.
Zone: Statewide by DAU/GMU
Black Bear
Rifle - Plains
Sep 2-Nov 22, 2026
Plains rifle bear season in select plains GMUs. Unlimited OTC licenses issued by DAU/GMU; no season participation restrictions.
Zone: Select Plains GMUs
Black Bear
Archery
Sep 2-30, 2026
Fixed dates annually. Add-on licenses available for archery deer/elk license holders in reduce/suppress DAUs. Limited licenses available through draw in stable DAUs.
Zone: Statewide by DAU/GMU
Black Bear
Rifle - PLO
Sep 2-Nov 22, 2026
PLO rifle bear season: September 2 - September 30 annually and October 1 through end of fourth regular rifle deer/elk combined season annually. Licenses OTC or limited depending on DAU management strategy.
Zone: Private Land Only
Black Bear
Muzzleloader
Sep 12-20, 2026
9-day season concurrent with muzzleloader deer and elk season. Add-on licenses available in reduce/suppress DAUs. Limited licenses through draw in stable DAUs.
Zone: Statewide by DAU/GMU
Black Bear
Rifle - Concurrent
Oct 14-Nov 22, 2026
2026 concurrent rifle bear season dates: 10/14-10/18 and 10/24-11/01 and 11/07-11/15 and 11/18-11/22. Licenses valid only during open rifle deer or elk seasons (no hunting during breaks). Earliest open and latest close dates used; see notes for split dates.
Zone: Statewide by DAU/GMU
Elk
Elk
Private Land Only (PLO)
Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
PLO elk season lies within August 15 - January 31 annually. Limited either-sex and antlerless elk licenses issued by GMU/DAU as needed. PLO either-sex elk licenses available where necessary.
Zone: Private Land Only
Elk
Archery - West of I-25 and GMU 140
Sep 2-30, 2026
29-day season. Limited either-sex, antlered and antlerless elk licenses issued by GMU/DAU. Unlimited OTC either-sex, antlered, and antlerless archery elk licenses can be made available to residents in certain units. Nonresident archery elk licenses are limited, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Elk
Muzzleloader - West of I-25 and GMU 140
Sep 12-20, 2026
9-day season opening second Saturday of September. Limited either-sex or limited antlered, and limited antlerless; all licenses issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Elk
Rifle - First Regular
Oct 14-18, 2026
5-day season opening first Wednesday after October 8th. All elk licenses limited. Either-sex and antlered elk licenses issued by GMU/DAU; antlerless elk licenses may be offered in DAUs over population objective.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Elk
Rifle - Second Regular Combined
Oct 24-Nov 1, 2026
9-day season followed by 5-day break. Opens on Saturday, includes two full weekends. Limited either-sex, antlered, and antlerless elk licenses issued by GMU/DAU. Unlimited OTC licenses available for antlered elk in certain units.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Elk
Rifle - Third Regular Combined
Nov 7-15, 2026
9-day season followed by 2-day break. Opens on Saturday. Limited either-sex, antlered, and antlerless elk licenses issued by GMU/DAU. Unlimited OTC licenses available for antlered elk in certain units.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Elk
Rifle - Fourth Regular Combined
Nov 18-22, 2026
5-day season. All licenses limited. Limited either-sex or limited antlered, and limited antlerless; all licenses issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: West of I-25 and GMU 140
Elk
Rifle - Late
Nov 23, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Limited antlerless seasons as needed to achieve population objectives. Season lengths variable within time frame by GMU/DAU and set annually.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Elk - Plains
Rifle - Plains
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Opens September 1 and runs through January 31, either-sex. All legal methods of take permitted.
Zone: East of I-25 except GMUs 104, 133, 134, 140, 141, 142
Elk - Plains
Archery - Plains
Sep 2-30, 2026
29-day season. Plains archery elk season, fixed dates annually.
Zone: East of I-25 except select GMUs
Elk - Plains
Muzzleloader - Plains
Sep 12-20, 2026
Aligned with general muzzleloader season dates west of I-25. Opens 2nd Saturday in September, runs 9 days.
Zone: Plains GMUs 104, 133, 134, 141, 142
Moose
Moose
Archery
Sep 12-30, 2026
Opens first Saturday after Labor Day in September, runs through close of archery deer and elk season. Antlered/either-sex licenses are season choice. Antlerless licenses not season choice.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Moose
Muzzleloader
Sep 12-20, 2026
9-day season concurrent with muzzleloader deer and elk season.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Moose
Rifle
Oct 1-14, 2026
14-day season with fixed dates of October 1-14 annually. Antlered and antlerless.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Moose
Rifle - Late Antlerless (Optional Concurrent)
Oct 14-Nov 22, 2026
Optional late concurrent antlerless rifle moose season. 2026 dates: 10/14-10/18 and 10/24-11/01 and 11/07-11/15 and 11/18-11/22. Valid during regular rifle deer and elk seasons with no hunting during breaks. Earliest open date used; latest close date used.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Pronghorn
Pronghorn
Rifle - Late (Optional)
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Optional late rifle pronghorn seasons vary in length, starting no earlier than November 1, closing no later than January 31, annually.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Pronghorn
Archery - Bucks Only
Aug 15-31, 2026
37-day archery season. August portion is bucks only. Licenses unlimited except in certain limited units, issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Pronghorn
Archery - Either-sex
Sep 1-20, 2026
September portion of archery season is either-sex (buck and doe). Fixed dates annually.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Pronghorn
Muzzleloader
Sep 21-29, 2026
9-day season, fixed dates annually. Limited buck and limited doe, statewide licenses with a small fixed number of licenses. Unit-specific limited licenses may be issued in low-license units.
Zone: Statewide (some units closed)
Pronghorn
Rifle - First Season
Oct 3-11, 2026
9-day season opening first Saturday in October. Limited buck and limited doe licenses issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Pronghorn
Rifle - Second Season (Optional)
Oct 17-25, 2026
Optional 9-day second rifle season opening third Saturday in October, when necessary to meet biological or social management objectives. All licenses limited and issued by GMU/DAU.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Fall Season
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Fall mountain lion season opens with 1st rifle elk season and ends with close of 4th rifle deer/elk combined season. Implementation delayed pending management discussions. Season dates to be provided in future.
Zone: Select DAUs/GMUs
Mountain Lion
April Season
Apr 1-30, 2026
April season in select GMUs. Unlimited licenses sold spanning both regular and April seasons. GMUs/DAUs close to hunting once annual harvest limit is reached.
Zone: Select GMUs
Mountain Lion
Regular Season
Nov 23, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Opens day following close of 4th regular rifle deer/elk season, closing March 31. Unlimited licenses sold spanning both regular and April seasons. GMUs/DAUs close once annual harvest limit reached.
Zone: Statewide by GMU/DAU
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Colorado Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Colorado?
August 15, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Colorado; it is private land only (plo) deer Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027.
When is Colorado's firearm deer season?
Oct 14-18, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Colorado. Check zone and permit details with Colorado Parks & Wildlife before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Colorado?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Colorado yet. Check Colorado Parks & Wildlife for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Colorado?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Colorado hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
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