64 Counties · 748 Public Areas · 124 Towns · 113 RangesColorado hunting records
States
AlabamaArizonaArkansasColoradoGeorgiaLouisianaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriNew YorkNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaTennesseeTexasWisconsin
ColoradoState Hunting Spots

Home › Colorado › Public land › Ranching for Wildlife

Colorado private-ranch hunting program · hunting

Colorado Ranching for Wildlife hunting access and seasons

Private-ranch hunting program, statewide, 1,049,840 acres.

Entry rulesDates by GMUMap
1,049,840Acres listed
3, 4, 5 +GMUs
Resident drawRequired

Illustration only: this is not Ranching for Wildlife.

Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture (Public Domain Mark 1.0)

Ranching for Wildlife by the numbers

Ranching for Wildlife takes in 1,049,840 acres according to the Sum of ranch acres in the CPW Ranching for Wildlife "Ranch Quick Reference Guide".

Hunting opportunities on record: Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Moose, Bighorn sheep, Wild turkey.

Caveat: Ranches are listed in the ranch table (name, GMUs, acres, species) from the CPW page; counties are not published there.

1,049,840Acres
3, 4, 5 +GMUs

From the agency page (Colorado Parks and Wildlife (private ranches)); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.

What Ranching for Wildlife allows and forbids

  • Private ranches; public hunting access free of charge only for Colorado residents who draw an RFW license for the ranch, season and species through the CPW big game draw.
  • Seasons and license allocations are set per ranch.

From the agency source; checked November 5, 2026.

GMUs and unit rules on Ranching for Wildlife

Big game licenses here are sold by unit, and Ranching for Wildlife touches 31 GMUs: GMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 6, GMU 10, GMU 11, GMU 12, GMU 13, GMU 16, GMU 23, GMU 25, GMU 26, GMU 35, GMU 40 and 17 more.

Elk antler point restrictions apply in GMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 6, GMU 11, GMU 12 and 15 more. Mandatory free CWD testing applies to listed rifle elk hunt codes in GMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 6, GMU 10, GMU 11 and 12 more. For lions, the units fall in harvest-limit groups 1, 2, 3, 6, 15 and 20.

UnitWhereWatch for
GMU 3Moffatelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1
GMU 4Moffat, Routtelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2
GMU 5Routt, Moffatelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2
GMU 6Jacksonelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 3
GMU 10Moffat, Rio Blancoelk CWD testing, lion group 1, spring turkey OTC
GMU 11Moffat, Rio Blancoelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 1
GMU 12Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routtelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2
GMU 13Routt, Moffatelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2
GMU 16Jacksonelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 3
GMU 23Rio Blanco, Garfieldelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 2
GMU 25Garfield, Eagleelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 3
GMU 26Routt, Garfield, Eagleelk antler point rule, elk CWD testing, lion group 3
GMU 35Eagleelk antler point rule, lion group 3
GMU 40Mesalion group 6, spring turkey OTC
GMU 84Pueblo, Huerfano, Custerlion group 15, spring turkey OTC
GMU 85Huerfano, Las Animas, Costillaelk antler point rule, lion group 15, spring turkey OTC

CPW publishes harvest by GMU, not by property. In 2024, GMU 12 led these units with 755 elk taken.

GMUAnimalTakenHuntersSuccess rate
GMU 3Elk1621,03816%
GMU 3Deer48686756%
GMU 3Pronghorn598966%
GMU 3Black bear0––
GMU 4Elk3791,54125%
GMU 4Deer38467857%
GMU 4Pronghorn475585%
GMU 4Black bear10––
GMU 5Elk31687436%
GMU 5Deer12927547%
GMU 5Pronghorn242692%
GMU 5Black bear14––
GMU 6Elk3213,16110%
GMU 6Deer10821550%
GMU 6Pronghorn10015067%
GMU 6Black bear9––
GMU 10Elk15827458%
GMU 10Deer586786%
GMU 10Pronghorn1010100%
GMU 10Black bear0––
GMU 11Elk6232,46725%
GMU 11Deer28860048%
GMU 11Pronghorn324278%
GMU 11Black bear2––

GMU overlay from the CPW Big Game GMU layer; unit rules from the 2026 Big Game brochure; 2024 elk harvest by GMU, 2024 deer harvest by GMU, 2024 pronghorn harvest by GMU, 2024 bear harvest by GMU; checked November 5, 2026.

Ranching for Wildlife season calendar by GMU

The units of Ranching for Wildlife carry 83 big game seasons this year. You can buy an OTC license for elk and wild turkey here; other rows are limited. We dropped 164 rows valid only on private land or enrolled ranches. The table follows the species list for Ranching for Wildlife, which removes 11 rows. Spring 2027 turkey dates are not published yet, so the spring row is last year's.

SpeciesSeasonSexKindFromToUnits
ElkPlains rifleeither sexOTC plainsSep 1, 2026Jan 31, 2027105, 110, 136, 143 +
ElkArcherycowLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20266, 16, 85, 161 +
ElkArcherycowOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20266, 16, 85, 161 +
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20264, 5, 10, 12 +
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20263, 6, 11, 13 +
ElkArcheryeither sexOTC plainsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 2026105, 110, 136, 143 +
ElkArcheryeither sexOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20263, 6, 11, 13 +
ElkMuzzleloaderbullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202610, 35, 84, 104 +
ElkMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited, earlyOct 1, 2026Oct 11, 202610
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202611, 12, 13, 23 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202684, 104, 851
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202640
ElkRifleeither sexLimited, youthOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026851
ElkSecond riflebullOTCOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202684, 104, 851
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202640
ElkRifleeither sexLimited, youthNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 2026851
ElkThird riflebullOTCNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 20263, 4, 5, 11 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateNov 28, 2026Dec 6, 2026851
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateNov 28, 2026Jan 15, 202735
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Dec 15, 202640
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Dec 31, 20263, 10, 11, 13 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Jan 15, 202726
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026851
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 15, 2026Dec 31, 202685, 851
ElkRiflecowLimited, lateDec 26, 2026Jan 3, 2027851
DeerArcherybuckLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202610, 40, 85, 851
DeerArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited, earlySep 5, 2026Sep 13, 20266, 11, 12, 16 +
DeerMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
DeerMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited, earlySep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202611, 861
DeerRiflebuckLimited, earlySep 29, 2026Oct 7, 20266
DeerArcherydoeLimited drawOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026136, 147
DeerArcheryeither sexLimited drawOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026104, 105, 136, 143 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited, earlyOct 1, 2026Oct 7, 202616, 161, 171
DeerRifledoeLimited, earlyOct 1, 2026Oct 7, 20266, 16, 161, 171
DeerRifledoeLimited, lateOct 1, 2026Dec 31, 2026104
DeerMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawOct 10, 2026Oct 18, 2026104, 105, 110, 136 +
DeerMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawOct 10, 2026Oct 18, 2026104, 105, 110, 136 +
DeerMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawOct 10, 2026Oct 18, 2026104, 105, 110, 136 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 10, 2026Oct 14, 2026851
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 20266, 16, 161, 171
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 3, 2026104, 105, 110, 136 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 20263, 4, 5, 11 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 3, 2026104, 105, 110, 136 +
DeerRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 3, 2026104, 105, 110, 136 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 20263, 4, 5, 11 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 20263, 4, 5, 6 +

23 more rows are on the unit pages.

Season rows and hunt codes from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the Turkey brochure and the Mountain Lion brochure; property access dates still apply; checked November 5, 2026.

Landscape and game around Ranching for Wildlife

Wild turkey gobbler walking through a grassy field at Land Between the Lakes
Wild turkey gobbler walking through a grassy field at Land Between the Lakes
Wild turkeys feeding in a grassy field
Wild turkeys feeding in a grassy field

Ranching for Wildlife: the ranches

The enrolled ranch list has 25 names; CPW's page gives 25.

RanchGMUsAcresSpecies
Agner Mountain RanchGMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 214, GMU 301, GMU 44146,030Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
Aught Six RanchGMU 84, GMU 85, GMU 86147,560Elk
Blue Sage RanchGMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 214, GMU 301, GMU 44151,740Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
Buck Mountain RanchGMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 30149,400Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
Buffalo Horn RanchGMU 11, GMU 21112,040Elk, Deer
Burns Hole RanchGMU 25, GMU 26, GMU 3524,920Elk, Deer
Deakins RanchGMU 30126,990Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
Elk Springs RanchGMU 11, GMU 1324,000Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
Four Mile RanchGMU 3, GMU 421,300Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
Hill RanchGMU 85163,200Elk, Deer
Kiowa Creek RanchGMU 104, GMU 105, GMU 11081,070Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep
Lay Creek RanchGMU 310,400Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
M/R White River RanchGMU 2316,520Elk, Deer
Morgan Creek RanchGMU 12, GMU 21156,700Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
Mountain Meadows RanchGMU 8410,160Elk, Turkey
Pinon Mesa West RanchGMU 4023,850Elk, Deer
Purgatoire RanchGMU 136, GMU 143, GMU 144, GMU 147192,010Deer, Pronghorn, Turkey
Silver Spur RanchGMU 6, GMU 16, GMU 161, GMU 17156,770Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Moose
Snake River RanchGMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 567,200Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
Tercio RanchGMU 85124,870Elk, Deer
Three Forks RanchGMU 540,370Elk, Deer, Pronghorn, Moose
Three Springs RanchGMU 1018,660Elk, Deer
Twin Peaks RanchGMU 8518,980Elk, Deer
Visintainer RanchGMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 30150,080Elk, Deer, Pronghorn
Wolf Mountain RanchGMU 214, GMU 44115,020Elk

From the agency source; checked November 5, 2026.

Next choices after Ranching for Wildlife

Walk-In Access

Walk-In Access

173,601 acres

Big Game WIA

Big Game Walk-In Access

157,394 acres

Sheep access

The Bighorn Sheep Access Program

size not published

Access programsState wildlife areasBLM land
Wild turkey gobbler strutting with tail fanned
Wild turkey gobbler strutting with tail fannedPhoto: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
Wild turkey hens and poults crossing a grassy hillside trail below pines
Wild turkey hens and poults crossing a grassy hillside trail below pinesPhoto: Ben Cappellacci (CC BY 2.0)

Hunting Ranching for Wildlife: common questions

What game can be hunted on Ranching for Wildlife?

The agency lists deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep and wild turkey.

Is elk on Ranching for Wildlife draw only?

Yes, for part of the elk calendar: 6 rows, including plains rifle (OTC plains). Leftover licenses went on sale August 4.

Which special elk rules cover Ranching for Wildlife?

Free mandatory CWD tests apply to some rifle elk codes in GMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 6, GMU 10 and 13 more. GMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 6, GMU 11 and 16 more carry the elk antler point restriction.

Must I wear blaze orange or pink on Ranching for Wildlife?

Yes for firearm big game: 500 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink on the upper body and a matching head covering. Camo orange does not count.

Can I set out bait, salt or grain on Ranching for Wildlife?

No bait for big game, turkey, small game or birds; normal agricultural salt and mineral blocks are the only exception for big game.

Do I need to book ahead to hunt Ranching for Wildlife?

Yes. Private ranches; public hunting access free of charge only for Colorado residents who draw an RFW license for the ranch, season and species through the CPW big game draw. Seasons and license allocations are set per ranch.

How many properties does Ranching for Wildlife cover?

There are 25 ranches on the CPW page.

Who gets the public licenses in Ranching for Wildlife?

Resident draw applicants only.

What is the largest ranch in Ranching for Wildlife?

Purgatoire Ranch, 192,010 acres in GMU 136, 143, 144, 147.

Which agency page should I check for Ranching for Wildlife?

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (private ranches) page has the current rules.

What does it take to hunt Ranching for Wildlife legally?

Read the access section; it lists every requirement.

What acreage does the record give for Ranching for Wildlife?

All told it takes in 1,049,840 acres.

What hunt code unit applies to Ranching for Wildlife?

It overlaps GMU 3, GMU 4, GMU 5, GMU 6, GMU 10, GMU 11, GMU 12, GMU 13 and 23 more.

Wrap-up for Ranching for Wildlife

Property rules, closures and reservation needs on Ranching for Wildlife can change mid-season; posted signs and the agency page have the last word.

Colorado hunting land mapAll public landAccess programsManaging agency site

Sources: source 1 · source 2; seasons from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.

Other photos on this page: Paul VanDerWerf (CC BY 2.0); Russ (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Ben Cappellacci (CC BY 2.0).