Colorado is home to the largest elk herd in North America, and it gives hunters more ways to get a tag than any other western state. That is also why planning a hunt here can feel complicated: there is a draw, a secondary draw, leftover licenses, over-the-counter tags, preference points, and rules that change for nonresidents almost every year.

This guide pulls it all together. Start here, then use the links below to go deeper on each step.

Hunting deer too? See our Colorado deer hunting guide.

Colorado elk hunting at a glance

Where to buy	cpwshop.com, by phone at 1-800-244-5613, or at license agents
Draw applications	Open March 1. The 2026 deadline was April 7 at 8 p.m. MT
Draw results	Late May (May 26–29 in 2026)
Secondary draw	Mid to late June, results in early July
Leftover and OTC sales	Early August (August 4 in 2026)
Nonresident elk license	$845.16 for an adult elk/fishing combo (2026)
Resident elk license	$70.40 for an adult (2026)
Seasons	Archery in September, muzzleloader in mid-September, four rifle seasons from mid-October to late November

Dates and fees are from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) for the 2026 season. CPW publishes a new Big Game brochure each year, so always confirm with it before you apply.

Step 1: Decide how you will get a tag

There are three ways to get a Colorado elk license.

• The primary draw. This is where the best units and seasons are. You need a qualifying license first, you can list up to four hunt choices, and you earn a preference point if you do not draw your first choice. Read our step-by-step draw guide.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) tags. No draw and no points. Residents can still buy OTC archery and 2nd and 3rd rifle bull tags in many units. Nonresidents lost OTC archery west of I-25 starting in 2025. See what is still OTC.
• Secondary draw and leftovers. Licenses that are not claimed in the primary draw go to the secondary draw in June, and anything left after that goes on sale in August. Neither one uses your preference points.

Step 2: Pick your season

Each season hunts very differently. Archery puts you in the woods during the September rut, when bulls are bugling and responding to calls. Rifle seasons in October and November give you more range and more opportunity, but the elk are quieter and often pushed into thick timber or higher country by hunting pressure and snow.

See all 2026 Colorado elk season dates

Step 3: Set a realistic budget

A nonresident who does everything themselves will spend close to $1,000 on licenses and fees alone before travel, gear, and meat processing. A fully guided hunt with an outfitter typically runs from a few thousand dollars for a short archery package to $15,000 or more for a one-on-one wilderness or private-land hunt.

Break down the full cost of a Colorado elk hunt

Step 4: Choose guided, DIY, or a drop camp

Colorado has a lot of public land, and plenty of hunters kill elk on their own. But a first trip into steep, high-altitude country is a big undertaking. A good outfitter brings scouting, horses or gear, camp logistics, and help packing out an animal that can weigh 700 pounds or more. A drop camp sits in the middle: the outfitter packs you and your camp in, and you hunt on your own.

Compare guided, DIY, and drop camp hunts

Before you go: requirements every hunter needs

• Hunter education. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1949, needs a hunter education card. Most other states’ cards are accepted.
• Habitat Stamp. Required for hunters ages 18 to 64 ($12.76 in 2026). It is added to your first purchase automatically.
• ID and Social Security number. Required for anyone 12 or older buying a license.
• CWD testing. Testing is mandatory for elk taken during rifle seasons in some units. CPW lists the units in the Big Game brochure, and testing in those units is free.
• Private land. You need permission to hunt private land. CPW’s Walk-in Access Program opens some private ground to hunters.

Find a Colorado elk outfitter

Horn & Fin lists guides, outfitters, drop camps, and DIY hunting options across Colorado. Every listing shows the species, seasons, and areas they hunt, along with reviews from other hunters.

More Colorado elk guides

• How to apply for the Colorado elk draw
• Colorado OTC elk tags: what is still available
• Colorado elk season dates
• How much does a Colorado elk hunt cost?
• Guided vs. DIY vs. drop camp elk hunts
• How Colorado draw points work
• Colorado draw odds by unit