Hunting season begins in Colorado

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is emphasizing the shared responsibility of safety between hunters, hikers, leaf peepers, bikers, wildlife viewers and off-highway vehicle users as the 2026 hunting season begins.

According to a press release issued by the agency, it’s essential for both hunters and non-hunters to show respect and courtesy to all users engaged in outdoor recreation, as most public lands in Colorado permit multiple types of recreational use.

“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,” the press release adds.

General knowledge of hunting season dates and safety tips can also increase safety, according to the release. The 2026 Big Game Brochure has a complete list of season dates, which include:

• Big game season dates:
  • Rifle bear season – Sept. 2-30
  • Archery season – Sept. 2-30
  • Muzzleloader season – Sept. 12-20
  • Rifle seasons
    • 1st season – Oct. 14-18
    • 2nd season – Oct. 24 to Nov. 1
    • 3rd season – Nov. 7-15
    • 4th season – Nov. 18-22

According to the release, big game hunters using a firearm must wear fluorescent orange or pink when in the field for safety reasons. Camouflage orange or pink is not permitted. Archery hunters are exempt from this requirement.

It is also recommended that other recreation users wear bright colors, especially during the muzzleloader and rifle seasons, though it is not required. 

Colorado wildlife is managed using the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. This 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,” the release states. “This model is still the most successful wildlife management model in the world.”

The press release adds that hunters also play an essential role in CPW’s chronic wasting disease 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,” the press release reads.

According to press release, coyote, badger, fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, pine marten, raccoon, ring-tailed cat, skunk , weasel, beaver and bobcat daily bag limits have been updated from unlimited to 2.

Beaver season is also now Oct. 1–Mar. 31 annually. The annual beaver season formerly ended on Apr. 30. Beginning Oct. 1, recreational beaver hunters are required to personally present beaver hides and pelts to CPW for physical sealing to provide more accurate spatial information and help with harvest monitoring.

CPW has also created a “Coyote or Gray Wolf: How to Spot the Differences” handout to help spot the differences between coyotes and wolves. This follows an incident this January where a licensed hunter killed a gray wolf after reportedly mistaking it for a coyote.

“The Endangered Species Act and state law protect gray wolves in Colorado,” the press release states. “Penalties for illegally killing a gray wolf can vary and can include substantial fines, jail time, and loss of hunting privileges.” 

For more wolf educational information, visit cpw.state.co.us/living-wolves.

To see game management unit-specific changes for 2026, read the “What’s New” page in the Big Game Hunting Brochure or watch the “What’s New” 2026 Colorado Big Game video.

According to the press release, additional limited licenses are still available for deer, elk, pronghorn and bear, and over-the-counter licenses can still be purchased 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. 

For additional details, visit us.list-manage.com/1BmSPLxOxtn?e=6449759ac1&c2id=7dad5a9340560dbdc0855ca6fdf16e7b. 

For questions about setting up an account, planning hunts or purchasing licenses, customer service representatives and hunt planners are available Monday-Friday, from 8-5 p.m. 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.

Those who are looking to hunt are able to find locations where hunting is permitted via 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,” the release adds.

CPW is also encouraging hunters and outdoor recreationalists to download the free Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) mobile app to check for active fire alerts before heading out on trails.