Colorado elk draw odds
Here is how the 2026 Colorado elk 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 bull and either-sex hunts across the whole state, so it shows the overall picture, not one hunt.
| Your points | Nonresident | Resident |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 69%20,640 applications | 59%20,134 applications |
| 1 | 58%6,457 applications | 60%8,189 applications |
| 2 | 38%3,429 applications | 45%3,842 applications |
| 3 | 37%2,781 applications | 39%2,597 applications |
| 4 | 39%1,976 applications | 32%1,833 applications |
| 5 | 36%1,378 applications | 25%1,798 applications |
| 6–9 | 27%3,014 applications | 19%5,020 applications |
| 10+ | 19%3,871 applications | 21%5,575 applications |
Some hunts are easy. Some take years.
This shows how the limited bull 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 291) | Resident hunts (of 266) |
|---|---|---|
| Down to 0 points | 59 | 114 |
| 1–5 points | 150 | 83 |
| 6–9 points | 28 | 20 |
| 10 or more points | 54 | 49 |
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 | 63%16,192 applications | 51%34,238 applications | 45%45,016 applications |
| 2024 | 68%15,329 applications | 52%33,631 applications | 48%44,579 applications |
| 2025 | 72%20,967 applications | 56%42,563 applications | 47%47,443 applications |
| 2026 | 69%20,640 applications | 53%43,546 applications | 46%48,988 applications |
Nonresident applications went up 27% from 2023 to 2026, from 34,238 to 43,546.
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. Nonresidents can still buy some elk licenses over the counter, like archery elk in certain units east of I-25. But over-the-counter archery elk west of I-25 and in unit 140 is no longer open to nonresidents. Those hunts are now limited licenses you apply for in the draw, and any left over or turned back may go on sale later.
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. In 2026, sales of the second and third rifle season elk licenses opened Aug 4.
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 elk 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 elk 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.
Colorado compared with Idaho and Wyoming
These three states work differently. In Colorado and Wyoming you build preference points over the years, and the most sought-after hunts go to the people with the most. Idaho has no points: every year is a fresh random draw. So Colorado is a long game for the hunts everyone wants, and Idaho gives a first-timer the same shot as anyone.
| State | How the draw works | Nonresident elk license | Also required | Application fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Preference points, plus a hybrid random draw | $845.16 | $104.86 qualifying license + $12.76 habitat stamp | $11.49 | $974.27 |
| Idaho | Random draw, no points | $651.75 | $185 hunting license + $10 access fee | $18 (controlled hunts) | $864.75 |
| Wyoming | Nonresident draw: most tags by preference points, the rest random | $692 | $21.50 conservation stamp + $75 per preference point (optional) | $15 | $728.50 |
Nonresident prices from each state's own fee schedule. Totals add the license or tag, the required license and fees, and the application fee. Wyoming's total leaves out the optional preference point, and smaller stamps may be missing, so use these to compare states, not as a quote. See our Idaho elk guide and Wyoming elk guide.
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 elk draw odds.
Do I need preference points to draw a Colorado elk 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 bull 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 elk license over the counter?
Some, but fewer than before. Nonresidents can still buy over-the-counter archery elk in certain units east of I-25. West of I-25 and in unit 140, Colorado ended unlimited over-the-counter archery elk for nonresidents; those hunts are now limited licenses you apply for in the draw, and any that are left over or turned back can be sold afterward. Over-the-counter licenses don't need a qualifying license or points. Check CPW's nonresident page and the big game brochure to see what's open to you.
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 elk hub.