Colorado · 2026-27
Elk season in Colorado
Written down as CO elk season — every zone and weapon is below, with the dates CPW set.
Open right now in
Colorado Elk
Dates checked against the CPW regulations Aug 25, 2026.
Every Elk season, 2026-27
| Season | Zone | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| First Rifle CPW: the first rifle season is limited to deer, elk and bear hunting only. | First Rifle Season | Oct 14 – Oct 18 |
| Fourth Rifle Which GMUs are open depends on your hunt code — check the elk rifle hunt code tables. | Fourth Rifle Season | Nov 18 – Nov 22 |
| Second Rifle CPW: elk, bear and deer hunters are in the field at the same time from the second season on. | Second Rifle Season | Oct 24 – Nov 1 |
| Third Rifle Which GMUs are open depends on your hunt code — check the elk rifle hunt code tables. | Third Rifle Season | Nov 7 – Nov 15 |
| Archery Unless otherwise noted in the Big Game Brochure hunt code tables. Nonresidents can no longer buy over-the-counter archery elk licenses for GMUs west of I-25, or GMU 140. | Statewide | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Muzzleloader Limited licenses only — CPW files elk muzzleloader under limited licenses, so it is a draw hunt rather than an over-the-counter one. | Statewide | Sep 12 – Sep 20 |
The rest of Colorado
Deer season · Turkey season · Duck season · Dove season · the whole board
Hunting elk somewhere else this year? Elk season by state puts every state’s opener and last open day in one table.