Colorado GMU 24 Elk Hunting
Rio Blanco and Garfield counties, northwest Colorado · 439 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 24 is like
GMU 24 spreads across 439 square miles of northwestern Colorado in Rio Blanco and Garfield counties, ranging from 7,000 feet to 12,000 feet with a typical elevation around 9,800 feet. The terrain is rolling to moderately steep, with 44% gentle slopes, 40% moderate, 14% steep, and 2% rugged ground by area. This mix of elevation and terrain creates country suitable for foot travel, though steeper pockets demand fitness and route-finding.
About 93% of the unit—roughly 407 square miles—is open to public hunting on U.S. Forest Service and BLM land. The remaining 7.2% is private. This high public-land share means a hunter can plan to access substantial acreage without permission, though roads, trailheads, and seasonal closures still govern practical entry to any given piece of ground.
Elk summer across the entire unit, with concentrated use on 70% of the area during summer months. As fall progresses, the seasonal range shifts toward the 17% winter range, which holds only 3% as concentrated use. Summer Concentration and Migration Corridors—covering 70% and 28% of the unit respectively—show where elk cluster and move. CPW maps no year-round resident population in this unit, so hunters should expect elk distribution to track the seasonal ranges and weather: broadly across the unit in early fall, then concentrating and shifting downslope into winter range as temperatures drop and snow accumulates. Migration timing and extent vary with conditions.
The unit offers seven seasons total, six open to public applicants. Archery runs September 2 to September 30 and falls in rut onset and primary rut. Muzzleloader runs September 12 to September 20, spanning the primary rut. Four rifle seasons follow: 1st Rifle October 14 to October 18 (late rut and early post-rut); 2nd Rifle October 24 to November 1 (post-rut recovery transitioning to migration); 3rd Rifle November 7 to November 15 (migration transition); and 4th Rifle November 18 to November 22 (migration transition). A seventh season, private-land only, runs September 2 to December 31 but requires private-land access. Draw difficulty for the easiest unit-wide bull or either-sex hunt is easy, often available at zero preference points for adult Colorado residents. The unit also holds at least one premium bull season requiring substantially more points. Hunter pressure is moderate overall.
Terrain & elevation
- Elevation
- 7,000–12,000 ft, typically around 9,800 ft
- Steepness
- Steep — mean slope 14.2°
- Slope breakdown
- 44% gentle · 40% moderate · 14% steep · 2% rugged
- Ground you can count on
- ~407 sq mi
Land & access
About 93% of GMU 24 is public land a hunter can count on — National Forest and BLM.
- National Forest92%
- BLM<1%
- State Wildlife Area<1%
- Private7%
Where elk live in the unit
Colorado Parks & Wildlife maps elk seasonal ranges statewide. This is how much of GMU 24 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%.
- Summer Range100%used in summer
- Overall Range100%the full extent of range CPW maps for elk — near 100% on most units, and not a statement about when elk are present
- Summer Concentration70%where elk bunch up in summer
- Migration Corridors28%movement between ranges, not residence
- Winter Range17%used in winter
- Winter Concentration3%where elk bunch up in winter
Elk seasons & weapons (2026)
| Season | Dates | Tags offered |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | September 2 – September 30 | Either-sex |
| Muzzleloader | September 12 – September 20 | Either-sex, Antlerless |
| 1st Rifle | October 14 – October 18 | Antlerless, Bull |
| 2nd Rifle | October 24 – November 1 | Antlerless |
| 3rd Rifle | November 7 – November 15 | Antlerless |
| 4th Rifle | November 18 – November 22 | Antlerless, Bull |
| Private-land only | September 2 – December 31 | Either-sex, 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 58°F, lows around 38°F, about 0.6 in of snow (mid-elevation normals)
- October — highs around 46°F, lows around 28°F, about 10 in of snow (mid-elevation normals)
- November — highs around 35°F, lows around 17°F, about 27.2 in of snow (mid-elevation normals)
GMU 24 elk hunting FAQ
Can I hunt this unit with zero preference points?
Yes. The easiest unit-wide bull or either-sex hunt code for adult Colorado residents draws at easy difficulty, often at zero points. However, the unit also holds at least one premium bull season that requires substantially more preference points, so checking the specific hunt code is essential before applying.
When should I hunt this unit to catch the rut?
Archery September 2 to 30 and muzzleloader September 12 to 20 both fall during rut onset and primary rut, making them the most reliable windows for calling and bugling. First Rifle October 14 to 18 spans late rut and early post-rut recovery when elk are still active but less vocally responsive.
How much of this unit can I actually hunt on public land?
Approximately 93% of the unit—roughly 407 square miles—is open public land on Forest Service and BLM. Access depends on road and trailhead availability and seasonal closures; the high public share does not guarantee easy entry to every piece of ground.
Do elk stay in the unit year-round?
CPW maps no year-round resident population in this unit, so expect elk to shift with the seasons. Summer range covers the entire unit, but winter range is only 17% of the area, and that 17% concentrates into 3% of the unit. Hunters should plan for elk to move downslope and concentrate as fall progresses and snow accumulates, though timing and extent vary with weather.
Is the terrain walkable for a hunter on foot?
Most of the unit is gentle to moderate—84% combined—but 16% is steep or rugged. Elevation ranges from 7,000 to 12,000 feet, so fitness and elevation acclimatization matter. The rolling to moderately steep character means a prepared foot hunter can cover country, though steeper drainages and higher terrain demand care.
What should I expect for weather during the fall?
September starts mild—highs near 58°F and lows near 38°F with minimal snowfall. October cools significantly, with highs near 46°F, lows near 28°F, and roughly 10 inches of snowfall. November becomes cold and snowy: highs drop to 35°F, lows to 17°F, and snowfall averages 27 inches. Plan accordingly for the rapid cooling trend through the season.
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.