How the Colorado draw works
Colorado runs a preference point draw: for each hunt, the applicants with the most points draw first. Here's the whole system in five minutes.
1. You get one elk application with four choices
Each spring (applications open March 1) you submit one elk application listing up to four hunt codes in order. The draw works through everyone's 1st choices before it looks at anyone's 2nd choice, then 3rd, then 4th.
In the 2026 draw, 140,121 hunters listed a limited elk hunt as their 1st choice for 130,710 licenses across 1039 hunt codes.
2. Points only matter for your 1st choice
- If your 1st choice doesn't draw, you gain one preference point for elk.
- If it does draw, your elk points go back to zero.
- 2nd–4th choices ignore points completely. They're filled in random order from whatever licenses are left.
- Want a point without risking a tag? Put the point-only code E-P-999-99-P as your 1st choice.
3. Highest points draw first
For each hunt code, CPW sorts 1st-choice applicants by points. Everyone above the cutoff draws; at the cutoff level it's random among the people tied there. That cutoff is what CPW calls “drawn out at” — and it's the “points needed” number on every page of this site.
Last year 758 elk hunts were drawable by residents with zero points (or went to 2nd-choice applicants), while 48 took 10 or more points.
4. Residents and nonresidents draw separately
Nonresidents are capped at a share of each hunt's licenses — 20% in high-demand hunts and 35% elsewhere (each hunt page shows its cap). That's why nonresident cutoffs are usually higher. Youth applicants and the Landowner Preference Program have their own allocations too.
5. The hybrid draw
In the hardest-to-draw hunts, part of the quota goes to a random draw among residents with at least 5 points who listed it 1st. Full hybrid draw guide →
6. After the primary draw
- Secondary draw (June): licenses left after the primary draw. No points used or earned.
- Leftover sale (early August): first come, first served for anything still unsold.
- Reissued licenses: surrendered tags put back on sale through the season.
- Over the counter: unlimited archery and 2nd/3rd rifle bull licenses in many units (residents), plus some nonresident archery east of I-25.
Questions
How many preference points can I earn per year?
One per species per year. You earn it when your 1st choice is unsuccessful, or when you apply for the preference-point-only hunt code (E-P-999-99-P for elk) as your 1st choice.
Do I lose my points if I draw my 2nd choice?
No. Points are only used — and reset to zero — when you draw your 1st choice. If your 1st choice is unsuccessful you earn a point, even when a 2nd, 3rd or 4th choice draws.
Are Colorado elk points species-specific?
Yes. Elk points only work for elk hunt codes, but any elk hunt code — any unit, weapon or season.
Updated 2026-11-07. Rules summarized from the CPW Big Game Brochure and Parks and Wildlife Commission documents — the brochure is the final word.