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Colorado draw deadlines

The 2026 dates for Colorado’s big-game draws, from CPW’s own brochure. They apply to elk, deer, pronghorn and the other big-game species.

These 2026 dates have passed

CPW hasn't published the 2027 dates yet. The 2026 dates below show the usual order and timing, but the 2027 ones will differ. We'll add them when CPW publishes its 2027 brochure.

Primary draw

  1. Sunday, March 1Passed

    Applications open

    Most qualifying licenses go on sale the same day; you need one before you can apply.

  2. Tuesday, April 78 p.m. MTPassed

    Application and correction deadline

    The last moment to apply, or to change an application you've made.

  3. Tuesday, May 26 to Friday, May 29Passed

    Results posted

    Results appear in your CPW account over these days.

  4. Monday, June 111:59 p.m. MTPassed

    Last day to surrender a license you drew

    Surrendering returns your preference points to their pre-draw level and refunds the license fee.

  5. Friday, June 1211:59 p.m. MTPassed

    Payment deadline

    CPW charges the card on file once. If the charge fails and the license isn't paid by now, it's forfeited.

Secondary draw

  1. Thursday, June 18Passed

    Applications open

    Anyone can apply, whether or not they applied in the primary draw. Preference points aren't used or earned.

  2. Tuesday, June 308 p.m. MTPassed

    Application and correction deadline

    The last moment to apply, or to change an application you've made.

  3. Tuesday, July 7Passed

    Results posted

    Results appear in your CPW account.

  4. Thursday, July 911:59 p.m. MTPassed

    Last day to surrender a license you drew

    Surrendering refunds the license fee.

  5. Tuesday, July 2111:59 p.m. MTPassed

    Payment deadline

    A license not paid by now is forfeited.

Leftover licenses

  1. Tuesday, August 4Passed

    Leftover licenses on sale

    Licenses still left after the secondary draw go on sale over the counter.

From CPW's 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure (pages 2 and 8) and CPW's Big Game page (leftover sales), checked October 14, 2026. Times are Mountain Time.

Check every date with CPW before you rely on it: CPW’s Primary Draw page (opens in a new tab). We don't send reminders yet.