Applying for your Colorado Hunting License

March 18, 2025 by Lewie Foltz

Hi Hunters!

I can’t wait for our shared adventure in the upcoming seasons! If you have registered to hunt with us and still have yet to submit your deposit, please do so as soon as possible. Otherwise, remember that your next deposit will be after you draw your tag. Draw results usually come out late May or early June. If you are unsure about what hunt code to use below, feel free to reach out and please call me with any questions or updates that you have. For those of you hunting with us in 2025, you will need to apply for the appropriate specific hunt code in the 1st choice section, but if you have a future hunt planned, then you will need to apply for the preference point hunt code in the 1st choice section.

I also wanted to just give you all a reminder and update related to the CPW application process. The online system is the only way to apply for your tags or preference points. All customers, new and existing, need to have a unique email address and password to create an online profile in the new system (see more details below). Go to https://www.cpwshop.com/home.page. I recommend going ahead and setting up your online profile before the system becomes active to apply for tags today on March 1. The application deadline is April 1. License fees are no longer due at the time you submit your draw application but you will be charged the license price only if you draw your license. Make sure that prior to the anticipated draw results, your credit card information is current and accurate so it processes your fees. If you are not hunting this year, it may be critical to acquire preference points for elk, deer or other species to be able to draw a tag for a future hunt. Even if you are planning to hunt on an over-the-counter tag this year or in the future, you should go ahead and apply for an elk and/or deer preference point. This will set you up for options and success in drawing a more limited hunt down the road.

You can read through the 2025 Big Game Regs online to more familiarize yourself with Colorado’s regulations and protocol. More information may be found on the Plan Your Hunt page.

Here are rules and a few other notes to be aware of as you prepare for the online application process.

1. You will need to have your CID# (Colorado ID) and your birthdate to set up a new account. If you can’t find your CID, you will have to call the CPW and recover it (1-800-244-5613). If you have previously purchased a hunting and fishing license in Colorado, you’ll have an account with them, but not a username and password. It is important to look up your existing account before attempting to create a new one. You do this by clicking on the ‘Lookup’ tab on the webpage and begin navigating the process from there. You will also need a unique identifier for registration (Driver’s license, passport, etc.).

If you have never hunter in Colorado, follow the links to create a new account.

Lastly, you need proof of hunter education certificate from the state in which your received it. (This card/proof will also need to accompany you in the field unless your license has been verified by a CPW office in person)

2. Qualifying license purchase:

- All applicants must first purchase a qualifying hunting license BEFORE applying for the big game draw or acquiring a preference point. Qualifying licenses are spring turkey, annual small game and/or small game/fishing combo. Also, a $12.47 habitat stamp will be automatically added when purchasing your qualifying license. Note: if you draw your desired big game hunting license in Colorado, that license has a free annual fishing license that comes with it. Draw applications will not be accessible until you purchase your qualifying license.

- If you are applying for any bighorn/desert sheep, mountain goat or moose preference point, there is a $100 per species fee for non-residents and $50 fee per species for residents. There is an opt-out option for applying if you do not wish to acquire a preference point for not drawing a tag. Applicants must have at least 3 preference points for moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat before they are entered into the weighted lottery tag drawing.

- Application fee as follows: $8 for residents and $11 for non-residents. These fees are per species.

- There is no longer a preference point fee for elk, mule deer, pronghorn, bear or turkey.

3. For all limited seasons and tags, you are only guaranteed to draw the tag if you apply as FIRST CHOICE on your application. If you are applying for preference points only, you also must enter the species preference point hunt code as your FIRST CHOICE. Also note that the 'O' in 'O1' is a letter, not a number. Please reach out to me before you apply for your tag if you have questions on which hunt code you should be applying for. Hunt codes are below:

Archery Deer - D-M-055-O1-A This is a buck-only tag.

Archery Elk - E-E-055-O1-A This is an either-sex tag.

Muzzleloader Elk - E-M-055-O1-M This is a bull-only tag. Cow tags for the muzzleloader season must be applied for in the application process.

The Hunt code for a muzzleloader season cow tag is E-F-055-O1-M You can not have both a bull and a cow tag… you must choose one or the other.

Muzzleloader Deer - D-M-055-O1-M This is a buck-only tag.

Muzzleloader Deer - D-M-551-O1-M This is a buck-only tag.

1st Rifle Elk - E-M-055-O1-R. This is a bull-only tag. Cow tags for the 1st rifle season must be applied for in the application process.

The Hunt code for a 2nd season cow tag is E-F-055-O1-R You can not have both a bull and a cow tag… you must choose one or the other.

2nd Rifle Elk - AEI is not hosting a 2nd Rifle OTC Elk hunt until the season dates return to an earlier time frame.

3rd Rifle Deer - D-M-055-O3-R or D-M-054-O3-R or D-M-067-O3-R This is a buck-only tag.

4th Rifle Deer - D-M-055-O4-R or D-M-54-O3-R or D-M-551-O4-R or D-M-067-O4-R This is a buck-only tag.

Mountain Goat First Rifle - G-E-G03-O1-R or G-E-G02-O1-R

Mountain Goat Second Rifle - G-E-G03-O2-R

Moose Season Choice (Residents Only) M-055-O1-X

Elk Preference Point - E-P-999-99-P

Deer Preference Point - D-P-999-99-P

Mountain Goat Preference Point - G-P-999-99-P

I know that this can be very a confusing process, so if you have any further questions or need help/advice, please feel free to contact me via email or call me at 970-641-4708.

Posted In: Elk Hunting, Hunting, Mule Deer Hunting, News

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