Colorado hunting seasons
Season dates for 2026-27, straight from the CPW regulations — starting with what you actually want to know.
Open right now in
Colorado
Deer Opens Sep 2 19 days away Turkey Opens Sep 1 18 days away Duck Opens Sep 12 29 days away Dove Opens Sep 1 18 days away
Dates checked against the CPW regulations Aug 13, 2026.
Deer season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| First Rifle Deer hunts run in select GMUs only — check the rifle hunt code tables in the Big Game Brochure. | First Rifle Season | Oct 14 – Oct 18 |
| Fourth Rifle Which GMUs are open depends on your hunt code — check the rifle hunt code tables. | Fourth Rifle Season | Nov 18 – Nov 22 |
| Plains Rifle Plains deer units east of I-25 — most land there is private, so get landowner permission before applying. | Plains Rifle Season | Oct 24 – Nov 3 |
| Second Rifle Which GMUs are open depends on your hunt code — check the rifle hunt code tables. | Second Rifle Season | Oct 24 – Nov 1 |
| Third Rifle Which GMUs are open depends on your hunt code — check the rifle hunt code tables. | Third Rifle Season | Nov 7 – Nov 15 |
| Archery Unless otherwise noted in the Big Game Brochure hunt code tables. | Statewide | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Muzzleloader Unless otherwise noted in the Big Game Brochure hunt code tables. | Statewide | Sep 12 – Sep 20 |
Turkey season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Season | East of I-25 (except GMU 140) | Sep 1 – Oct 23 |
| Fall Season | West of I-25 (and GMU 140) | Sep 1 – Oct 4 |
| Late Season Over-the-counter, private land only — get landowner permission before buying a license. | GMUs 112 & 113 (private land only) | Dec 15, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027 |
| Spring Season CPW publishes the Turkey Brochure in late December, so 2027 spring dates were not out as of Aug. 13, 2026. For reference, spring 2026 ran April 11 - May 31. | Statewide | Not set yet |
Duck season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season No scaup after Dec. 27, 2026. | Eastern Zone (Pacific Flyway) | Oct 3, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027 |
| Regular Season West of I-25 and east of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas counties. | Mountain/Foothills Zone (Central Flyway) | Oct 3 – Nov 29; Dec 25, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 |
| Regular Season East of I-25 and north of I-70. | Northeast Zone (Central Flyway) | Oct 17 – Nov 29; Dec 11, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 |
| Regular Season East of I-25 and south of I-70, plus all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas counties. | Southeast Zone (Central Flyway) | Oct 28, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 |
| Regular Season No scaup after Jan. 12, 2027. | Western Zone (Pacific Flyway) | Oct 3 – Oct 20; Nov 6, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 |
| September Teal Season Teal only. | Lake & Chaffee counties and all areas east of I-25 | Sep 12 – Sep 20 |
| Youth, Veteran & Active Military Hunt Youth are 17 and younger and hunt with a mentor; the mentor cannot hunt. | Eastern Zone (Pacific Flyway) | Sep 26 – Sep 27 |
| Youth, Veteran & Active Military Hunt | Mountain/Foothills Zone (Central Flyway) | Sep 26 – Sep 27 |
| Youth, Veteran & Active Military Hunt | Northeast Zone (Central Flyway) | Oct 10 – Oct 11 |
| Youth, Veteran & Active Military Hunt | Southeast Zone (Central Flyway) | Oct 17 – Oct 18 |
| Youth, Veteran & Active Military Hunt | Western Zone (Pacific Flyway) | Oct 24 – Oct 25 |
Dove season
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season Mourning and white-winged doves, statewide. Eurasian collared-doves are open year-round with no limit. | Statewide | Sep 1 – Nov 29 |