Colorado Parks and Wildlife Release 2020-24 Season Structure

CPW’s 5 Year Season Structure 2020-24

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.

Archery

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.

Muzzleloader

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

Early Rifle Deer

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.

Rifle

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.

1st Rifle

2020 – Oct 10 – 14

2021 – Oct 16 – 20

2022 – Oct 15 – 19

2023 – Oct 14 – 18

2024 – Oct 12 – 16
2nd Rifle

2020 – Oct 24 – Nov 1

2021 – Oct 30 – Nov 7

2022 – Oct 29 – Nov 6

2023 – Oct 28 – Nov 5

2024 – Oct 26 – Nov 3
3rd Rifle

2020 – Nov 7 – 13

2021 – Nov 13 – 19

2022 – Nov 12 – 18

2023 – Nov 11 – 17

2024 – Nov 9 – 15
4th Rifle

2020 – Nov 18 -22

2021 – Nov 24 – 28

2022 – Nov 23 – 27

2023 – Nov 22 – 26

2024 – Nov 20 – 24

2019 2nd Rifle Private Land Openings

We currently have 2 second rifle openings for a private land semi-guided hunt available. This is always a great hunt that seldom has openings. Call to inquire 800-383-1888

Successful Archery Elk Hunter

Video testimonial from a successful Colorado archery elk hunter.

How to Apply for a Colorado Big Game Hunting License

Here is a tutorial on applying for a Colorado big game license on CPW’s new site.

2018 – Draw Hunts Still Available

Colorado big game application time is here. If you haven’t already made hunting plans for this fall there are still some options available, but you will have to act fast to get in before the draw deadline (April 3rd) passes. Below are the hunts still available for this year.

Private Land Outfitted – 4th Rifle Elk – November 14-18

Wilderness Pack-in – Drop Camp – 2nd Rifle – October 19-25

Creating an Account on CPW’S New Licensing System

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has launched a new licensing system for 2018. Applications can’t be submitted until March 1st, but I reccomend getting a user ID and password setup in advance, as the system has some flaws. It took me two phone calls (800-244-5613) to get mine setup.