Colorado GMU 19 Elk Hunting
Larimer County, northeast Colorado · 423 sq mi
Based on the EASIEST unit-wide bull or either-sex hunt code available to adult Colorado residents in the 2026 primary draw — the lowest preference-point tier that drew reliably. Private-land-only and Ranching for Wildlife hunts are excluded because neither is a unit-wide public-land opportunity — NOT because the public cannot draw them. A private-land-only license requires the hunter's own permission to hunt private ground; a Ranching for Wildlife license is valid on the participating ranches enrolled in that program. They are separate systems. Other weapons, seasons and nonresident applicants can require substantially more points. The band is a floor, not a target: even the easiest qualifying hunt here sits in that range.
What hunting GMU 19 is like
GMU 19 spans 423 square miles across rolling to moderately steep terrain in Larimer County's northeastern foothills. Elevations range from 4,800 feet to 12,700 feet, with typical terrain around 8,200 feet. The unit breaks down by slope as 36% gentle, 49% moderate, 14% steep, and 1% rugged. This mix of terrain supports elk across a range of habitats, from lower valleys to high country, though the topography demands steady climbs and moderate effort on foot.
About 61% of the unit is generally open to public hunting—roughly 258 square miles managed by the National Forest and State Wildlife Areas. Private land comprises approximately 32% of the unit, and roughly 6.9% is unclassified ownership. The National Forest dominates the open-ground share, making it the primary destination for public-land hunters. Private inholdings and closed ground still constrain access; hunters must scout specific approaches rather than assuming all open acreage is reachable.
Elk use patterns shift through the fall. Summer Range covers 43% of the unit, with 8% concentrated in discrete areas where elk cluster. Winter Range and Migration Corridors together make up 41% and 26% of the unit respectively, while Winter Concentration marks 19% where elk gather as conditions tighten. A Resident Population layer covers 7% of the unit year-round. Archery (September 2–30) and Muzzleloader (September 12–20) coincide with rut onset and primary rut, when bull activity peaks. First Rifle (October 14–18) falls in the late rut and early post-rut window. Second through Fourth Rifle seasons (October 24 – November 22) span post-rut recovery and migration transition, a period when elk respond to falling temperatures and snowfall—November averages 8.2 inches—and begin shifting their range. Late Rifle (November 28 – December 9) continues into migration transition and early winter range occupancy. Five rifle seasons total are offered alongside Archery and Muzzleloader hunts, with a private-land-only season running September 1 – January 31.
GMU 19 draws an easy tag for the lowest-point adult resident bull and either-sex codes, typically at zero points. Hunter pressure here is high, making crowding on public ground a realistic expectation despite the favorable draw odds. Nonresidents, other weapons, and specialized hunt codes require substantially more preference points to access.
Terrain & elevation
- Elevation
- 4,800–12,700 ft, typically around 8,200 ft
- Steepness
- Steep — mean slope 14.6°
- Slope breakdown
- 36% gentle · 49% moderate · 14% steep · 1% rugged
- Ground you can count on
- ~258 sq mi, plus ~2 sq mi of State Trust Land where access depends on enrollment
Land & access
About 61% of GMU 19 is public land a hunter can count on — National Forest and State Wildlife Areas.
- National Forest61%
- State Wildlife Area<1%
- BLM<1%
- State Trust Land<1%
- National Park Service<1%
- Unclassified ownership7%
- Private32%
“Ownership unclassified” means the source dataset does not record an owner for that acreage. It is not known to be public or private.
Where elk live in the unit
Colorado Parks & Wildlife maps elk seasonal ranges statewide. This is how much of GMU 19 each range covers — the single best clue to whether elk are here in September, in November, or only passing through. The layers overlap, so they do not add to 100%.
- Overall Range90%the full extent of range CPW maps for elk — near 100% on most units, and not a statement about when elk are present
- Summer Range43%used in summer
- Winter Range41%used in winter
- Migration Corridors26%movement between ranges, not residence
- Winter Concentration19%where elk bunch up in winter
- Summer Concentration8%where elk bunch up in summer
- Resident Population7%the only layer that means year-round use
Elk seasons & weapons (2026)
| Season | Dates | Tags offered |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | September 2 – September 30 | Either-sex |
| Muzzleloader | September 12 – September 20 | Antlerless, Bull |
| 1st Rifle | October 14 – October 18 | Bull |
| 2nd Rifle | October 24 – November 1 | Antlerless, Bull |
| 3rd Rifle | November 7 – November 15 | Antlerless, Bull |
| 4th Rifle | November 18 – November 22 | Antlerless, Bull |
| Late Rifle | November 28 – December 9 | Antlerless |
| Private-land only | September 1 – January 31 | Antlerless |
Dates span every hunt code of that type in this unit and can differ by code. Confirm the current brochure with Colorado Parks & Wildlife before applying.
Fall weather
- September — highs around 64°F, lows around 37°F, about 0.3 in of snow (mid-elevation normals)
- October — highs around 51°F, lows around 28°F, about 4.1 in of snow (mid-elevation normals)
- November — highs around 40°F, lows around 20°F, about 8.2 in of snow (mid-elevation normals)
GMU 19 elk hunting FAQ
Can someone with no preference points draw a tag in GMU 19?
Yes. The easiest unit-wide bull or either-sex codes for adult Colorado residents draw at zero points. This applies to hunts like early-season Archery or Muzzleloader, though nonresident applicants and some specialized hunt types require more points.
Is most of the public ground actually accessible, or are there major private inholdings?
About 61% of the unit is open to public hunting on National Forest and State Wildlife Areas. However, ownership is only half the access equation—roads, trailheads, seasonal closures, and private land scattered throughout the unit all affect which open ground a hunter can actually reach. Scouting specific routes in advance is essential.
What does the crowding actually look like on the ground during rifle season?
Hunter pressure is high throughout the season, meaning public-ground elk hunters should expect to encounter other parties, especially during the rifle blocks in October and November. High draw odds do not mean empty country; they mean tags are available but the unit draws many applicants.
Which seasons hit the rut, and which are better for post-rut hunting?
Archery (September 2–30) and Muzzleloader (September 12–20) coincide with rut onset and primary rut, when bull activity is highest. First Rifle (October 14–18) spans late rut and early post-rut. Second through Fourth Rifle (October 24 – November 22) cover post-rut recovery and migration transition, when elk are less vocal but still mobile.
Does weather shift enough through the fall to affect elk behavior here?
Yes. September highs average 64°F with minimal snowfall; by November highs drop to 40°F and snowfall averages 8.2 inches per month. This cooling and snow advance typically triggers elk movement and shifts them toward winter range as the season progresses.
Is this unit realistic for a hunter wanting to minimize competition and find quiet public ground?
No. GMU 19 combines easy draw odds with high overall hunter pressure, meaning it draws many applicants and sees heavy use on public ground. A hunter prioritizing solitude should expect to work harder to find unvisited terrain or hunt during less popular seasons like Late Rifle in December.
Data sources & methodology
- Colorado Parks & Wildlife — Big Game hunting — seasons, weapons, hunt codes and license types
- CPW — Primary Draw rules — how preference points and the hybrid draw work
- CPW — Elk statistics, draw recap and Drawn Out At reports — the point levels behind the draw-difficulty bands
- CPW — Secondary Draw — licenses remaining after the primary draw
- CPW — Maps and GIS (Species Activity Mapping) — elk seasonal range
- CPW — State Trust Land Finder — which State Trust acreage is enrolled and open to public hunting
- Federal and state land-ownership datasets — land ownership and access
- NOAA climate normals — fall weather
Draw difficulty is a qualitative band, not published odds — the note under the summary above states exactly which hunt code it describes. Land shares are separate, non-overlapping categories: publicly owned is not the same as open to hunting, and State Trust Land is huntable only where CPW has enrolled it. Unit data last updated August 28, 2026.