Home › Colorado › Hunting laws
C.R.S. Title 33 and the 2026 CPW brochures
Colorado Hunting Laws
Legal and protected species, weapons by season, 14 method rules, hunter orange or pink, bait, Sundays and the 18 penalty entries from Title 33 with their fines and license suspension points, each linked to the brochure page or statute it came from.
Photo: ZionNPS (CC BY 2.0)
Colorado hunter orange and pink
The colour rule follows the license, not the weapon in hand: anyone on a firearm license for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose or bear wears it, and so does an archer hunting while a rifle season is open. Pink counts the same as orange, but camouflage patterns in either colour do not.
The rule
At least 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange or pink on an outer garment above the waist plus an orange or pink hat/head covering visible from all directions, while hunting deer, elk, pronghorn, moose or bear with any firearm license (including muzzleloader hunters and archers hunting during rifle seasons).
Who is exempt
Archers with archery licenses, archers in the limited September rifle bear season, RFW private-land archers; auction/raffle archers when no rifle season open. Camouflage orange/pink does not qualify; mesh legal.
Ground blinds
Display orange/pink visible from all directions on ground blinds (recommended).
Other game
Not required for small game, migratory birds, turkey or lion (encouraged).
Penalty
C.R.S. 33-6-121: $100 fine and 5 license suspension points.
Sources: 2026 Big Game brochure, p. 15; Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 4; Mountain Lion brochure, p. 4; C.R.S. Title 33 (2024 printout). Checked: figures read against the CPW text on November 5, 2026.
What may be hunted, Colorado edition
Colorado groups its game as big game, wild turkey, small game mammals and birds, furbearers and migratory birds. Wild bison became a big game species under SB25-053 but has no regular season, and three invasive birds need no license, only a hunter education card.
| Group | Species | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Big game with 2026-27 seasons | mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, black bear, mountain lion, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, desert bighorn sheep, mountain goat | Wild bison is now a big game species (SB25-053) but has no regular season; possible Director-approved management licenses via the Bison Roster. |
| Wild turkey | wild turkey (Merriam's and Rio Grande) | Spring (bearded), fall (either sex) and late private-land beardless seasons. |
| Small game mammals | cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, white-tailed jackrabbit, black-tailed jackrabbit, marmot, fox squirrel, pine squirrel, Abert's squirrel | – |
| Small game birds | dusky (blue) grouse, mountain sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse, white-tailed ptarmigan, ring-necked pheasant, northern bobwhite, scaled quail, Gambel's quail, chukar partridge, greater prairie-chicken | – |
| Other small game | black-tailed prairie dog, white-tailed prairie dog, Gunnison's prairie dog, Wyoming (Richardson's) ground squirrel, prairie rattlesnake, common snapping turtle | – |
| Furbearers | coyote, bobcat, beaver, badger, red fox, gray fox, swift fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, pine marten, raccoon, ring-tailed cat, striped skunk, western spotted skunk, long-tailed weasel, short-tailed weasel | Daily bag 2 for all 17 furbearers (new for 2026); possession unlimited. |
| Migratory game birds | ducks, mergansers, coots, dark geese, light geese, mourning dove, white-winged dove, band-tailed pigeon, sandhill crane, sora, Virginia rail, Wilson's snipe, crow | – |
| Invasive (no license; hunter education card required) | Eurasian collared-dove, European starling, house sparrow | – |
Statute text from the "Colorado Revised Statutes 2024" uncertified Title 33 printout (PDF dated 2024-09-12); 2025-26 amendments, if any, were not checked (no 2025 Title 33 PDF at the same address, HTTP 404). Commission rules are cited through the 2026 brochures and chapters W-0, W-2, W-3 and W-5.
Sources: 2026 Big Game brochure, p. 1; 2026 Turkey brochure, p. 4; Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 5; Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 12; Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 10; C.R.S. Title 33 (2024 printout). Checked: figures read against the CPW text on November 5, 2026.
Legal weapons by season, Colorado edition
Rifles for big game start at .24 calibre (6 mm) with expanding bullets and 1,000 foot-pounds at 100 yards; muzzleloader seasons allow open sights only, and archery seasons bar crossbows unless a disability permit allows one.
| Season or game | Legal | Not legal | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big game archery | Hand-held bows (35 lb+ draw, 7/8 inches broadheads with 2+ steel edges); lighted nocks and non-aiding cameras OK. | Crossbows (except by disability permit), scopes or electronics on bow/arrow, hydraulic/pneumatic bows, explosive arrows. | 2026 Big Game brochure, p. 14 |
| Big game muzzleloader | Single-barrel muzzleloaders; .40 conical/.50 ball deer, pronghorn, bear; .50 conical/.54 ball elk, moose; 170/210 gr minimums; open/iron sights. | Scopes, sabots, pelletized or smokeless powder, breech loading, electronics. | 2026 Big Game brochure, p. 14 |
| Big game rifle and associated methods | Centerfire .24 cal.+ (6 mm; .264 for bison), 16 inches barrel/26 inches overall, expanding bullets 70 gr (deer, pronghorn, bear) or 85 gr (elk, moose), 1,000 ft-lb at 100 yards; semiauto max 6 rounds; shotguns 20 ga+ single slug (18 inches barrel); handguns 4 inches barrel, .24 cal.+, 550 ft-lb at 50 yards; muzzleloaders; hand-held bows; crossbows (125 lb+, 14 inches draw length, 16 inches bolts). | Buckshot, smart rifles (tracking/ballistic computers), fully automatic firearms, electronic calls. | 2026 Big Game brochure, p. 14 |
| Mountain lion | Centerfire rifles/handguns 45 gr+ and 400 ft-lb at muzzle; muzzleloaders; 20 ga+ slug; hand-held bows; crossbows; dogs (max 8). | Electronic calls, bait, artificial light. | Mountain Lion brochure, p. 5 |
| Turkey | Shotguns 10 ga max (3 shells), shot #2 or smaller; hand-held bows; crossbows; hawking; fall/late only: rifles and handguns (17 gr+, 110 ft-lb at 100 yards) and .25 cal.+ pre-charged air guns. | Single slugs; rifles/handguns in spring; recorded/electronic calls; bait. | 2026 Turkey brochure, p. 3 |
| Small game and furbearers | Rifles, handguns, shotguns 10 ga max (3 shells), hand-held bows, crossbows, air guns, slingshots, hawking; live traps for furbearers. | Body-grip, foothold, snare/cable devices and poisons (except under W-17/Dept. of Agriculture permits); centerfire rifles larger than .23 cal. west of I-25 during regular deer/elk rifle seasons without an unfilled deer/elk license. | Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 5 |
| Migratory birds | Shotguns 10 ga max, plugged to 3 shells, fired from the shoulder; hand-held bows; hawking. | Rifles, pistols, slugs, traps, nets; unplugged guns except light-goose conservation order. | Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 6 |
Sources: 2026 Big Game brochure, p. 14; 2026 Turkey brochure, p. 3; Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 6. Checked: figures read against the CPW text on November 5, 2026.
Colorado method rules, 14 in all
Each card gives the rule in short form and links the brochure page or Title 33 section it was read from.
Light, hours and electronics
Shooting hours
Big game and lion: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Turkey, small game, waterfowl: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Furbearers: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, with night hunting for some species.
Artificial light and night vision
Illegal as a hunting aid except furbearer night hunting with landowner permission (private) or a CPW permit (public).
Electronic calls
Prohibited for big game, lion, turkey, small game and waterfowl; allowed for furbearers, crows and light geese in the conservation order.
Drones, live-action cameras, aircraft
No drones to scout or detect wildlife; no live-transmitting game cameras to locate game for take that day or the next; no hunting the same or next day after flying to locate wildlife.
Roads, vehicles and private land
Vehicles and roads
No shooting from a vehicle or within 50 feet of a public road centerline; firearms unloaded in the chamber in vehicles; firearms (except handguns) unloaded and cased on OHVs during deer, elk, pronghorn and bear seasons.
Trespass
Permission required on private land whether or not posted; State Land Board lands only where leased/signed by CPW.
Dogs, bait and colours
Dogs
No dogs for big game except a leashed tracking dog (annual permit) to recover wounded deer/elk etc. (not bear); dogs allowed for lion (max 8), small game, waterfowl and furbearers.
Baiting
No hunting big game, turkey, small game or migratory birds over bait; furbearer bait allowed; bear luring prohibited (C.R.S. 33-6-131).
Hunter orange/pink
500 square inches solid fluorescent orange or pink above the waist plus orange/pink head covering for any firearm deer, elk, pronghorn, moose or bear hunting.
Tags, meat and fair chase
Evidence of sex and carcass tags
Evidence of sex naturally attached; carcass tag signed, dated and attached immediately.
Wanton waste
Must care for and prepare edible meat (four quarters, tenderloins, backstraps); must reasonably track wounded game; landowner permission needed to follow onto private land.
Party hunting
Illegal to fill another person's license or let someone fill yours.
Stands, blinds and sheds
Blinds and stands on CPW land
Portable only, up 30 days before and removed 10 days after the season (big game), CID and dates marked; no nails; first come, first served.
Shed antlers
No collection on public land west of I-25 January 1-April 30.
Bait and scent under CPW rules
Bait is off the table for nearly every Colorado hunt, whoever put it out, though a normal agricultural salt or mineral block does not count and turkeys may be taken over standing crops. Furbearer trappers and hunters are the exception.
| Game | Colorado bait rule |
|---|---|
| Big game | Illegal to hunt big game over bait (salt, minerals, grain, animal parts or other food), whether or not the hunter placed it; normal agricultural salt/mineral blocks excepted; food-scented sticks illegal for bear. |
| Luring bears | C.R.S. 33-6-131: knowingly luring bears with food or edible waste, fines $200/$1,000/$2,000 after warning. |
| Turkey | No bait; turkeys may be taken over standing crops or feed scattered solely for agriculture. |
| Small game and migratory birds | No bait for small-game mammals, game birds or migratory birds; federal baited-area rule (10 days after removal) for migratory birds. |
| Furbearers | Bait of plant or animal matter is legal for furbearers (no metal, glass, plastic, paper); no fresh meat, fish oil or anise lures for felids in lynx areas. |
| Mountain lion | Bait illegal. |
Sundays
No statewide Sunday restriction appears in the 2026 brochures, CPW regulation chapters read or C.R.S. Title 33; seasons run every day. Some State Wildlife Areas limit hunting to certain days (Chapter W-5/W-9 property rules, for example waterfowl only on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays on some SWAs).
Drones and live cameras
No drones to scout or detect wildlife; no live-transmitting game cameras to locate game for take that day or the next; no hunting the same or next day after flying to locate wildlife.
Sources: 2026 Big Game brochure, p. 15; 2026 Turkey brochure, p. 3; Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 5; Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 6; Mountain Lion brochure, p. 4; 2026 Big Game brochure, p. 14; CPW Chapter W-5. Checked: figures read against the CPW text on November 5, 2026.
Protected wildlife in Colorado
Lynx are protected across the recovery area GMUs, where trap and lure rules tighten; wolves were restored under state law and have no season; cubs, sows with cubs, spotted lion kittens and their mothers are off limits. 19 GMUs sit in the lynx recovery area.
| Protected | Rule |
|---|---|
| Canada lynx | Illegal to take; accidental capture must be released and reported within 24 hours (lynx recovery area GMUs listed in the CPW tables). |
| Bear cubs and sows with cubs; bears in dens | Cubs under one year and bears with cubs may not be killed; no hunting in dens; no sale of gall bladders or edible bear parts. |
| Mountain lion kittens | Spotted kittens and lions accompanied by kittens may not be taken. |
| Whooping crane | Federally endangered; may be present during sandhill crane season. |
| Gray wolf | Restored under state law (CPW wolf program); no hunting season. Endangered/threatened wildlife: $2,000-$100,000 fine and 20 points (C.R.S. 33-6-109(3)(a)). |
| Eagles, peregrine falcon, bighorn sheep, mountain goat (illegal take) | $1,000-$100,000 fine and/or up to 1 year jail and 20 points; possible lifetime suspension. |
| Lesser prairie-chicken, Gunnison sage-grouse, plains sharp-tailed grouse | No 2026-27 season in the Small Game & Waterfowl brochure (only the species listed there may be hunted). |
Sources: Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 3; 2026 Big Game brochure, p. 62; Mountain Lion brochure, p. 4; Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 6; CPW hunting page; C.R.S. Title 33 (2024 printout); Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, p. 10. Checked: figures read against the CPW text on November 5, 2026.
Colorado wildlife penalties and points
Title 33 pairs most fines with license suspension points: the default violation is $100 and 5 points, and 20 points inside five years can suspend hunting privileges for up to five years under the Wildlife Violator Compact. Illegal take of a trophy-class animal adds a surcharge of up to $25,000.
General misdemeanor
Any violation of Title 33 articles 1-6 or a Commission rule without a specific penalty: $100 fine plus surcharge and 5 license suspension points; penalty assessments may be paid within 20 days.
License suspension points
20 or more points in five years: suspension of license privileges up to five years (Wildlife Violator Compact reciprocity).
Illegal possession of big game
Elk, bear, moose, lion: $1,000 and 15 points each. Deer, pronghorn: $700 and 15 points. Three or more animals: up to $10,000 per animal and/or 1 year jail. Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, eagles: $1,000-$100,000 and/or 1 year and 20 points. Turkey/raptors: $200 and 10 points. Other wildlife $50 + 5 points.
Trophy surcharges (Samson law)
Additional penalty for illegal take: bull elk 6+ points $10,000; mule deer 22 inches or more spread $10,000; whitetail 18 inches or more $10,000; bull moose $10,000; bighorn half-curl+ $25,000; mountain goat $10,000; pronghorn 14 inches or more horns $4,000.
Willful destruction (waste) of big game
Class 5 felony with $1,000-$20,000 fine, 20 points and suspension (lifetime possible) for big game, eagles and endangered species; class 2 misdemeanor and 20 points for other wildlife.
Illegal sale of wildlife / unregistered outfitting
Big game, endangered species or eagles: class 5 felony; other wildlife: class 2 misdemeanor and 20 points.
Trespass
$200 fine and 20 points.
Failure to pursue wounded game / waste of meat
Big game: $200 and 15 points (failure to pursue); $300 and 15 points (waste); small game $50 and 15 points.
Hunter orange/pink
$100 and 5 points.
Careless hunting
$100-$1,000 and/or up to 1 year jail and 20 points; $500 and 15 points in certain cases.
Hunting under the influence
$100-$1,000 and/or up to 1 year jail and 20 points.
Hunting from a motor vehicle or aircraft
$200 and 10 points.
Loaded firearm in a vehicle
$100 and 15 points.
Shooting from a public road
$100 and 5 points.
Artificial light / night vision
Artificial light $200 and 20 points; night vision or thermal devices $2,000 and 20 points.
Luring bears
After a warning: up to $200, $1,000 and $2,000 for first, second and later offenses.
Computer-assisted remote hunting
First offense $1,000-$10,000 and 20 points; later offenses $10,000-$100,000 and/or 1 year jail.
Licensing violations
Hunting without a proper license: $100 and 10 points (non-big game) or $200 and 15 points (big game); false statements/fraud: fine twice the most expensive license.
Statute text from the C.R.S. 2024 Title 33 printout; amendments after it were not checked. Sources: C.R.S. Title 33 (2024 printout). Checked: figures read against the CPW text on November 5, 2026.
Colorado hunting law questions
When are shed antlers off limits?
No collection on public land west of I-25 January 1-April 30.
How much hunter orange does Colorado require?
At least 500 square inches of solid fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, plus an orange or pink hat or head covering visible from all directions.
Do Colorado archers wear orange during rifle season?
Archers with archery licenses, archers in the limited September rifle bear season, RFW private-land archers; auction/raffle archers when no rifle season open. Camouflage orange/pink does not qualify; mesh legal.
Can dogs be used to hunt deer or elk in Colorado?
No dogs for big game except a leashed tracking dog (annual permit) to recover wounded deer/elk etc. (not bear); dogs allowed for lion (max 8), small game, waterfowl and furbearers.
When may a Colorado hunter use an electronic call?
Prohibited for big game, lion, turkey, small game and waterfowl; allowed for furbearers, crows and light geese in the conservation order.
Can I hunt elk over a salt lick in Colorado?
Illegal to hunt big game over bait (salt, minerals, grain, animal parts or other food), whether or not the hunter placed it; normal agricultural salt/mineral blocks excepted; food-scented sticks illegal for bear.
Can a drone be used to scout game in Colorado?
No drones to scout or detect wildlife; no live-transmitting game cameras to locate game for take that day or the next; no hunting the same or next day after flying to locate wildlife.
What happens with 20 suspension points?
20 or more points in five years: suspension of license privileges up to five years (Wildlife Violator Compact reciprocity).
What is the fine for poaching a bull elk in Colorado?
Elk, bear, moose, lion: $1,000 and 15 points each. The trophy surcharge adds $10,000 for a bull with six or more points.
Is it legal to shoot from a road in Colorado?
No shooting from a vehicle or within 50 feet of a public road centerline; firearms unloaded in the chamber in vehicles; firearms (except handguns) unloaded and cased on OHVs during deer, elk, pronghorn and bear seasons.
Read the CPW text
GMU boundaries follow ridges, rivers and roads; carry the GMU descriptions from the back of the Big Game brochure when you hunt close to a unit line.
Other photos on this page: ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); Max and Dee Bernt (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).