The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) updates the big game season structure every 5 years. For the past 30 years for the most part it has remained unchanged. But the 2020-24 seasons there have been substantial changes. The biggest changes to be aware of are later starts to Archery and Rifle seasons.

The archery season for deer and elk is now a 29-day season. The season will now start on September 2nd and end on September 30th.

Previously the season was 30 days long and always opened on the last Saturday in August.

There was no change for muzzleloader season. Muzzleloader season opens on the second Saturday of September and runs for a total of 9 days.

There is no change in date structure for the 2020-2024 seasons.

The early high country rifle deer hunt is a 9-day antlered deer season, in high country or wilderness portions of select deer units. Season opens the first Saturday of September or the second Saturday of September to avoid opening Labor Day weekend.

The 1st season regular rifle elk hunt is still a 5-day season, but new starting in 2020, the gap between the 1st season and 2nd season hunts will now be a 9-day break. 1st rifle will continue to open the first Saturday after October 9th. After a 9 day break 2nd Rifle opens for a 9 day season. Then 3rd season rifle opens for 7 days followed by a 4 day. break. Finally 4th rifle opens on a Wednesday for a 5 day season.