Colorado mule deer draw odds
Here is how the 2026 Colorado mule deer draw played out across the state: out of every 100 applications, how many got a license at each number of preference points. Your real chance depends on the hunt you pick, and some of the most sought-after hunts take years of points.
What your preference points drew
For each point level, here's how many applications got a license in 2026. It covers limited buck and either-sex hunts across the whole state, so it shows the overall picture, not one hunt.
| Your points | Nonresident | Resident |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 42%13,090 applications | 52%34,194 applications |
| 1 | 43%7,036 applications | 59%16,463 applications |
| 2 | 41%4,568 applications | 56%7,812 applications |
| 3 | 44%3,082 applications | 61%4,247 applications |
| 4 | 39%2,057 applications | 58%1,933 applications |
| 5 | 32%1,508 applications | 55%1,218 applications |
| 6–9 | 38%2,848 applications | 47%2,029 applications |
| 10+ | 36%2,404 applications | 34%1,792 applications |
Some hunts are easy. Some take years.
This shows how the limited buck and either-sex hunts that gave out licenses in 2026 break down by the lowest point level that drew in the points draw.
| Points draw ran out at | Nonresident hunts (of 462) | Resident hunts (of 417) |
|---|---|---|
| Down to 0 points | 96 | 187 |
| 1–5 points | 260 | 170 |
| 6–9 points | 41 | 20 |
| 10 or more points | 65 | 40 |
On a hunt that "ran out at 10 or more points," everyone with fewer points than that missed the points draw. A few winners on those hunts can still come from the random hybrid draw.
How it has changed
The same hunts over the last few years, all point levels together:
| Year | Nonresident, 0 points | Nonresident, any points | Resident, any points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 36%13,933 applications | 41%32,675 applications | 51%67,863 applications |
| 2024 | 36%11,887 applications | 39%31,003 applications | 53%65,528 applications |
| 2025 | 38%12,636 applications | 40%34,099 applications | 54%68,505 applications |
| 2026 | 42%13,090 applications | 41%36,593 applications | 54%69,688 applications |
Nonresident applications went up 12% from 2023 to 2026, from 32,675 to 36,593.
How the Colorado draw works
Colorado hands out limited licenses in a primary draw. Whatever is left goes to a secondary draw and then to a leftover sale.
The hybrid draw is a random draw on hunts that took residents 10 or more points last year and have at least five licenses. To enter, you need at least five points and have to list a hybrid hunt code as your first choice.
Nonresidents can get up to 20% of the licenses on hunts that took residents six or more points, and up to 25% on elk and deer hunts that took fewer. Colorado doesn't sell an over-the-counter mule deer license, so mule deer licenses come from the draw. Any left over or turned back may go on sale afterward.
In 2026 the primary draw closed Apr 7, 2026. The secondary draw opened Jun 18, 2026 and leftover licenses went on sale Aug 4, 2026. 2027 dates weren't out when we last updated this page, so check CPW.
- Secondary draw and leftovers. Licenses that aren't drawn go to a secondary draw and then to a leftover sale. The nonresident limit doesn't apply to either, and you don't need a qualifying license to buy leftovers.
- Other species. Colorado also runs limited draws for pronghorn, bear, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat.
Over-the-counter licenses
Not every license goes through the draw. Some you can buy any time, with no application, no points and no waiting.
- No draw, no points. You don't need a qualifying license, and buying one doesn't use any of your preference points.
- Unlimited, but not everywhere. CPW doesn't cap how many are sold, but each license is limited to certain units, seasons and methods of take, and there's a purchase limit per person. Since anyone can buy one, you may share the unit with more hunters than on a limited hunt.
- What you need to buy. A government ID, a habitat stamp and, if you were born on or after January 1, 1949, hunter education. You can buy online at CPWShop.com, by phone at 1-800-244-5613, or from a license agent.
- When. Over-the-counter licenses can be bought any time before and during a season.
Sources: CPW's over-the-counter licenses and nonresident pages.
What it costs to apply
Here's what it costs to put in. If you draw, you also pay for the mule deer license.
2026 Colorado fees. The qualifying license shown is the annual small game license; CPW accepts other qualifying licenses too. The habitat stamp is required for ages 18–64 (some people are exempt). The nonresident mule deer license price includes a fishing license. Colorado doesn't charge for preference points on deer or elk today; from 2028 a point costs $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents per species. Outfitters, travel and gear cost extra. See CPW's primary draw page and nonresident page.
What changes in 2028
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has approved a new draw that starts with the 2028 draws. Here's what changes:
- The draw splits in two. The hybrid draw goes away. Half of each hunt's licenses go to a preference-point draw and half to a bonus draw.
- Nonresidents get 25%. That's 25% of the licenses on every hunt, counting first and second choices. No more than half of that share can come from the preference-point half.
- Points cost money. $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents per species. You can skip paying if you're unsuccessful, but then you don't earn the point.
Nothing changes for the 2026 draw.
Read CPW's draw structure →FAQs
Quick answers about Colorado mule deer draw odds.
Do I need preference points to draw a Colorado mule deer license?
For the popular hunts, yes. The license goes to the applicants with the most points first. Plenty of other limited hunts draw people with few points or none. You earn a point for a species when you apply and don't draw your first choice, or when you apply for the preference-point code as your first choice. Colorado doesn't charge for preference points on deer or elk today.
How are the odds on this page figured?
For each point level, we took every first-choice application in the 2026 primary draw for limited buck and either-sex hunts and counted how many got a license. The numbers come from Colorado Parks and Wildlife's post-draw report. They are averages across many hunts, so they show the overall picture and not your chance on one hunt. They count applications, not people, and leave out youth, landowner and antlerless draws.
Can a nonresident buy a Colorado mule deer license over the counter?
No. Colorado doesn't sell an over-the-counter mule deer license; the over-the-counter deer license is for white-tailed deer. Mule deer licenses come from the draw, but any that are left over or turned back may be sold afterward, so you don't have to win the primary draw to get one.
Is there a limit on nonresident licenses?
Yes. In the primary draw, nonresidents can get up to 20% of the licenses on hunts that took residents six or more points, and up to 25% on elk and deer hunts that took fewer than six, according to CPW. The limit doesn't apply to the secondary draw or leftover licenses.
What changes in 2028?
Colorado is replacing the hybrid draw with a 50/50 split: half of each hunt's licenses go to a preference-point draw and half to a bonus draw. Nonresidents will get 25% of the licenses on every hunt, and a preference point will cost $15 for residents and $30 for nonresidents per species.
Sources: 2026 primary draw results from CPW's post-draw report, rules from CPW's primary draw and nonresident pages, fees for 2026. The odds count applications, not people, and leave out youth, landowner and antlerless draws. Hunting guides for each unit are on the Colorado mule deer hub.