Colorado Bear Season 2026
Colorado bear season dates start with Sep 2-Nov 22, 2026. The table below keeps every listed bear row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Colorado's listed 2026 bear season runs Sep 2-Nov 22, 2026.
Rifle - PLO Black Bear opens Sep 2, 2026 and closes Nov 22, 2026.
Rifle - Concurrent Black Bear opens Oct 14, 2026 and closes Nov 22, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Bear
Black Bear
Rifle - Plains
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
Rifle - PLO
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
Rifle - Concurrent
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
Black Bear
Archery
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 - September
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
Muzzleloader
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
The Friday Hunting Briefing.
Gear deals worth grabbing, the week's hunting news, and field-tested picks — curated every Friday by a hunter, for hunters. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
Nearby bear seasons
Colorado Bear Season FAQ
When does bear season open in Colorado?
September 2, 2026 is the earliest listed bear opener in Colorado — archery black bear runs Sep 2-30, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
What are the 2026 bear season dates in Colorado?
Colorado lists 6 bear season windows: Archery Black Bear (Sep 2-30, 2026); Rifle - September Black Bear (Sep 2-30, 2026); Rifle - Plains Black Bear (Sep 2-Nov 22, 2026); Rifle - PLO Black Bear (Sep 2-Nov 22, 2026); Muzzleloader Black Bear (Sep 12-20, 2026); Rifle - Concurrent Black Bear (Oct 14-Nov 22, 2026). Always verify against Colorado Parks & Wildlife before hunting.
Are there different bear seasons in Colorado?
Yes — Colorado lists separate bear seasons for Archery Black Bear, Rifle - September Black Bear, Rifle - Plains Black Bear, Rifle - PLO Black Bear, Muzzleloader Black Bear, Rifle - Concurrent Black Bear. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Do I need a license to hunt bear in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and bear hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Colorado Parks & Wildlife.