Colorado › Hunting seasons › Colorado Over-the-Counter Hunting Licenses
OTC licenses
Colorado Over-the-Counter Hunting Licenses
Every 2026-27 OTC row with its GMUs: elk archery and rifle bulls, plains elk, pronghorn archery, bear and turkey.
Photo: mark byzewski (CC BY 2.0)
The OTC rules
18 CPW season rows are sold over the counter for 2026-27: no draw, no preference points, unlimited licenses on sale from August 4 for big game.
- OTC sale timing: Leftover/reissued limited and unlimited OTC licenses on sale August 4, 9 am MT; Reissue Preview List each Tuesday 11 am; sales Wednesdays 11 am-1 pm MT.
- Elk OTC limits: Elk: archery September 2-30; muzzleloader September 12-20; rifle October 14-18, October 24-November 1, November 7-15, November 18-22; OTC archery for residents west of I-25; nonresident archery elk west of I-25 and GMU 140 by draw only; OTC second/third rifle bull in listed GMUs.
- Before the draw: A current-year qualifying license is required to apply in either big game draw: annual small game (resident/nonresident), resident small game/fishing combo, senior combo, spring turkey (both draws), fall turkey (secondary draw only), veteran or first responder lifetime combo, senior small game for lifetime fishing holders; Not needed for OTC or leftover licenses.
- Bear OTC rule: Archery September 2-30 (OTC add-on with deer/elk archery license); muzzleloader September 12-20 (add-on); September rifle (limited) September 2-30; plains OTC rifle September 2-November 22; regular rifle with deer/elk rifle seasons; PLO OTC rifle September 2-November 22; Mandatory inspection within 5 working days (unfrozen head and hide).
- Lion sale: Over the counter; not a qualifying license; resident $64.02, nonresident $845.16.
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 14, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 30, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 16 and 2026-2027 Mountain Lion brochure, PDF p. 3, checked November 5, 2026.
Buying elk OTC
Elk: Plains rifle either sex, OTC
GMUs: 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 129, 130, 132, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 951
Elk OTC note: Plains season; List C (any number); List C; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
Elk: Archery cow, OTC residents
GMUs: 6, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 30, 31, 32, 38, 43, 59, 82, 85, 86, 133, 134, 140, 141, 142, 161, 171, 181, 431, 471, 511, 581, 591, 682, 691, 791, 851, 861
Elk OTC note: Resident only; not in the draw; GMU 82 on public lands only; 851 except Bosque del Oso SWA; On sale August 4, 9 am MT; List B; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
Elk: Archery cow, OTC east of I-25
Elk OTC note: Nonresident OTC archery elk hunting east of I-25 is limited to GMUs 133, 134, 141 and 142; landowner permission advisable (most land private); List B; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
Elk: Archery either sex, OTC residents
GMUs: 3, 6, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 43, 53, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 79, 82, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 161, 171, 181, 211, 214, 231, 301, 361, 371, 431, 471, 511, 581, 591, 681, 691, 851, 861, 951
Elk OTC note: Resident only west of I-25 and GMU 140 (nonresidents need a limited archery license there); GMU 82 public lands only; 851 except Bosque del Oso SWA; List A; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
Elk: Archery either sex, OTC plains
GMUs: 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 951
Elk OTC note: Valid east of I-25 (plains GMUs listed); List A; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
Elk: GMU 128 rifle bull, OTC
GMUs: 128
Elk OTC note: Bulls only; cow licenses for GMU 128 are by draw (E-F-128-L1-R, List C); Most land private; List A; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
Elk: Second rifle bull, OTC
GMUs: 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 52, 53, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, 131, 133, 134, 140, 141, 142, 161, 171, 181, 211, 214, 231, 301, 361, 371, 411, 421, 431, 441, 444, 471, 511, 521, 581, 591, 681, 691, 711, 741, 751, 771, 851, 861
Elk OTC note: Antler-point restrictions apply in most listed GMUs (4 points on one side or 5-in; brow tine); GMU 82 public lands only; 851 except Bosque del Oso SWA; GMUs 54, 55 and 551 moved to limited for 2026; List A; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
Elk: Third rifle bull, OTC
GMUs: 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 52, 53, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, 131, 133, 134, 140, 141, 142, 161, 171, 181, 211, 214, 231, 301, 361, 371, 411, 421, 431, 441, 444, 471, 511, 521, 581, 591, 681, 691, 711, 741, 751, 771, 851, 861
Elk OTC note: Valid units same as second season (brochure); List A; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 48, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 49, 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 50 and 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 51, checked November 5, 2026.
Buying black bear OTC
Black bear: Archery either sex, OTC
GMUs: 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 50, 51, 52, 53, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 131, 161, 171, 181, 214, 231, 371, 391, 411, 421, 441, 461, 500, 501, 521, 711, 741, 751, 771
Black bear OTC note: List A/B (List A = one per year; B = up to two; C = any number).
Black bear: Plains rifle, OTC
GMUs: 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 951
Black bear OTC note: Plains units east of I-25; List C; List C; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
Black bear: Muzzleloader either sex, OTC
GMUs: 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 50, 51, 52, 53, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 131, 161, 171, 181, 214, 231, 371, 391, 411, 421, 441, 461, 500, 501, 521, 711, 741, 751, 771
Black bear OTC note: List A/B (List A = one per year; B = up to two; C = any number).
Black bear: Rifle either sex, OTC
GMUs: 61
Black bear: Rifle either sex, OTC
GMUs: 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 50, 51, 52, 53, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 131, 161, 171, 181, 211, 214, 231, 371, 391, 411, 421, 441, 461, 500, 501, 521, 711, 741, 751, 771
Black bear OTC note: List A/B (List A = one per year; B = up to two; C = any number).
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 76 and 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 77, checked November 5, 2026.
Wild turkey OTC windows
Wild turkey: Spring, OTC (2026)
GMUs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 161, 171, 181, 191, 211, 214, 231, 301, 391, 411, 421, 441, 461, 481, 500, 501, 511, 512, 521, 551, 561, 581, 591, 681, 682, 691, 711, 741, 751, 771, 791, 851, 861, 951
Wild turkey OTC note: on sale March 1 (9 am MT); bearded turkeys only; 59 except Beaver Creek SWA/Table Mountain STL; 140 except James M; John and Lake Dorothey SWAs; 851 except Bosque del Oso SWA; Private land only in 91, 92, 101, 102, 103, 107, 109, 124, 125, 127, 129, 132, 139; Closed to all spring hunting: 26, 45, 201, 371, 471; Spring 2027 dates were not yet published when read (2026 brochure).
Wild turkey: Fall, OTC (west of I-25 and GMU 140)
GMUs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 140, 161, 171, 181, 191, 211, 214, 231, 301, 391, 411, 421, 431, 441, 461, 481, 500, 501, 511, 512, 521, 551, 561, 581, 591, 681, 682, 691, 711, 741, 751, 771, 791, 851, 861
Wild turkey OTC note: (sales agents); on sale June 18 (9 am MT); either sex; Closed to all fall hunting: 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.
Wild turkey: Fall, OTC (east of I-25 except GMU 140)
GMUs: 87, 88, 94, 101, 102, 104, 105, 110, 112, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, 123, 128, 130, 131, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 147, 951
Wild turkey OTC note: private land only in 101 and 102.
Wild turkey: Late season beardless, OTC (private land only)
Wild turkey OTC note: (sales agents only); private land only with landowner permission; up to two licenses.
From 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 10, 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 11 and 2026 Colorado Turkey brochure, PDF p. 9, checked November 5, 2026.
Pronghorn over the counter
Pronghorn: Archery either sex, OTC
Pronghorn OTC note: Bucks only August 15-31; either sex September 1-20; List A; unlimited licenses, on sale August 4 (9 am MT); not available in the draw.
From 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 64, checked November 5, 2026.
OTC small game and waterfowl
The CPW draws cover big game and turkey only; small game licenses are simply bought. The main ones:
| License | Who | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small game (annual) | Resident | $38.49 |
| Small game (annual) | Nonresident | $104.86 |
| Furbearer harvest permit | Anyone | $10.00 |
| Colorado waterfowl stamp | Anyone | $12.76 |
| Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp | Anyone | $33.00 |
cpw.state.co.us/buy-apply, 1-800-244-5613, 650+ sales agents, CPW offices and state parks.
From 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl brochure, PDF p. 5 and 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, PDF p. 15, checked November 5, 2026.
Bull elk with a large rack standing in fall grass among pines near Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo: Christian Collins (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Bull elk bugling in a dry grass meadow near Estes Park. Photo: mark byzewski (CC BY 2.0)
Bull elk bedded on a hilltop watching over his herd on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo: Andrew Russell (CC BY 2.0)
Colorado Over-the-Counter Hunting Licenses, asked and answered
Bear OTC rules?
Archery September 2-30 (OTC add-on with deer/elk archery license); muzzleloader September 12-20 (add-on); September rifle (limited) September 2-30; plains OTC rifle September 2-November 22; regular rifle with deer/elk rifle seasons; PLO OTC rifle September 2-November 22. Mandatory inspection within 5 working days (unfrozen head and hide).
Is OTC pronghorn archery statewide?
The valid units for A-E-000-U1-A are shown only on the brochure map (big game brochure PDF page 64); no unit list is printed. Bucks only August 15-31, either sex September 1-20.
Do nonresidents get OTC elk tags?
Elk: archery September 2-30; muzzleloader September 12-20; rifle October 14-18, October 24-November 1, November 7-15, November 18-22. OTC archery for residents west of I-25; nonresident archery elk west of I-25 and GMU 140 by draw only. OTC second/third rifle bull in listed GMUs.
Is spring turkey OTC?
Yes: spring OTC (bearded, 149 GMUs plus 13 private-land-only) and fall OTC (137 GMUs). Spring turkey applications due February 3 (8 pm MT); fall turkey May 29; spring OTC on sale March 1; fall/late OTC June 18.
Does OTC affect my points?
A current-year qualifying license is required to apply in either big game draw: annual small game (resident/nonresident), resident small game/fishing combo, senior combo, spring turkey (both draws), fall turkey (secondary draw only), veteran or first responder lifetime combo, senior small game for lifetime fishing holders. Not needed for OTC or leftover licenses.
When can I buy an OTC license?
Leftover/reissued limited and unlimited OTC licenses on sale August 4, 9 am MT. Reissue Preview List each Tuesday 11 am; sales Wednesdays 11 am-1 pm MT.
Other photos on this page: Christian Collins (CC BY-SA 2.0); mark byzewski (CC BY 2.0); Andrew Russell (CC BY 2.0).