Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s big-game draw applications due April 7

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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) wants to remind hunters that the deadline to submit a big-game draw application in the primary draw is approaching fast. Submit your application at cpwshop.com by April 7 at 8 p.m. to be eligible to participate. 

If you have already submitted your application, CPW encourages you to review your receipt to make sure it was submitted correctly. Corrections are allowed up to the April 7 deadline through your cpwshop.com account. 

CPW created a Big Game Application Guide to help hunters through the application process. 

Landowners wishing to apply for licenses through the Landowner Preference Program (LPP) must also submit their 2026 applications online through their landowner account. See the LPP Application Guide at https://bit.ly/3PAw0NQ for assistance. 

Use the 2026 Big Game brochure as the go-to resource to find hunt codes, regulations and review recent changes for all applicants. 

CPW encourages hunters to submit their applications early to avoid complications or delays. Get prepared ahead of time so that if problems arise, CPW staff members have ample time to assist you. View CPW’s hunting statistics for information from previous draws to help maximize your draw potential by visiting https://bit.ly/4tiTcyt. 

An online version of the Colorado Outdoors Preference Point Issue is now available at https://bit.ly/4bKut07. 

For a good overview of what’s in store, watch CPW’s “What’s New” video for the 2026 big-game seasons at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXFoV1kyBto.

Plan your hunt

If you have questions about setting up accounts, planning hunts or applying for licenses, call center agents are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (303) 297-1192. Hunting resources are available at cpw.state.co.us/hunting/big-game.

Be sure to read the “What’s New” pages in the 2026 Big Game brochure and the 2026 Sheep and Goat brochure to get a full list of game management unit specific changes for 2026.

Note to hunters: License quotas will not be finalized until the May Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting after staff are finished analyzing data from population surveys.