Local Beta › Hunting
Valley conditions right now
Loading live data…Fire restrictions and this week's shop notes are on the Local Beta page.
Elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep and pronghorn country, with huge tracts of National Forest and BLM land on both sides of the valley. Check game management unit boundaries in the CPW Hunting Atlas before you go.
- 2026 rifle seasons: first Oct 14 to 18, second Oct 24 to Nov 1, third Nov 7 to 15, fourth Nov 18 to 22. Confirm dates for your species in the CPW big game brochure.
- Licenses: Colorado runs a spring draw, plus over-the-counter and leftover licenses for some hunts.
- CPW Salida office: 7405 W. Highway 50, Suite 100, for licenses, maps and local questions.
- Shoulder seasons: archery and muzzleloader hunts come in late summer and early fall, when afternoon storms are still a factor up high.
Know before you go
- Hunter education is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1949.
- Firearm big game hunters wear at least 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, plus a hat. Camo orange doesn't count.
- Know the motor vehicle use map for your unit. Off-route driving is a ticket.
Resources
Common questions
When are the 2026 Colorado rifle seasons?
First season Oct 14 to 18, second Oct 24 to Nov 1, third Nov 7 to 15 and fourth Nov 18 to 22. Confirm dates for your species in the CPW big game brochure.
Do I need blaze orange to hunt in Colorado?
For firearm big game seasons, yes: at least 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, plus a hat. Archery-only hunters are exempt.
Do I need hunter education?
Yes, if you were born on or after January 1, 1949.
Keep exploring
Checked October 2026 against the agencies linked on this page. Rules change, so confirm before you go, and stop by the shop at 110 N F Street for the latest.