Colorado GMU 60 Elk Hunting
Mesa and Montrose counties, southwest Colorado · 238 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 60 is like
GMU 60 spans 238 square miles across the low desert and rolling foothills of Mesa and Montrose counties in Colorado's southwest region. Elevation ranges from 4,500 feet to 8,700 feet, with typical hunting grounds around 6,200 feet. The terrain is rolling to moderately steep, with 46% gentle slopes, 32% moderate, 18% steep, and 5% rugged by area. This mix of terrain makes the unit accessible to hunters of varying experience and fitness levels, though steeper sections demand more effort.
The unit is approximately 82% public land, all of it open to hunting. The Bureau of Land Management manages about 64% of the unit, while the National Forest system covers 18%. The remaining 18% is private land. Public ownership provides substantial opportunity for exploration and hunting, though access routes and seasonal restrictions on any individual property remain the hunter's responsibility to verify before entering.
Elk occupy different portions of the unit through the fall. The Overall Range layer covers 89% of the unit, indicating the full extent of elk habitat mapped by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. However, seasonal ranges are more instructive: Winter Range covers 84%, while Summer Range is confined to just 9%. A Resident Population layer covers 8% of the unit, representing ground where CPW maps year-round elk use. Elk concentrate on specific areas within these ranges—Winter Concentration comprises 16% of the unit, while Summer Concentration accounts for just 2%. As temperatures drop through November, hunters should expect elk to shift toward and concentrate on winter-range ground, though the timing and extent of this shift depend on snow and weather.
The unit offers seven seasons total, six of them open to public hunters. Archery runs September 2 through September 30 as an either-sex hunt, falling during the rut's onset and primary phases. A muzzleloader season spans September 12 through September 20 for antlerless elk and bulls. Four rifle seasons follow: the first runs October 14–18 for antlerless and bulls; the second October 24 through November 1 for antlerless only; the third November 7–15 for antlerless only; and the fourth November 18–22 for either-sex or antlerless. A private-land-only season runs August 15 through November 22. September temperatures average highs near 77°F and lows near 48°F with minimal snowfall, while November cools to highs near 51°F and lows near 26°F with average snowfall around 1.3 inches. Draw difficulty for the easiest qualifying bull or either-sex hunt available to adult Colorado residents is Easy, with tags often available at zero preference points.
Terrain & elevation
- Elevation
- 4,500–8,700 ft, typically around 6,200 ft
- Steepness
- Steep — mean slope 15.5°
- Slope breakdown
- 46% gentle · 32% moderate · 18% steep · 5% rugged
- Ground you can count on
- ~195 sq mi
Land & access
About 82% of GMU 60 is public land a hunter can count on — BLM and National Forest.
- BLM64%
- National Forest18%
- Private18%
Where elk live in the unit
Colorado Parks & Wildlife maps elk seasonal ranges statewide. This is how much of GMU 60 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 Range89%the full extent of range CPW maps for elk — near 100% on most units, and not a statement about when elk are present
- Winter Range84%used in winter
- Migration Corridors17%movement between ranges, not residence
- Winter Concentration16%where elk bunch up in winter
- Summer Range9%used in summer
- Resident Population8%the only layer that means year-round use
- Summer Concentration2%where elk bunch up in summer
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 | Antlerless, Bull |
| 2nd Rifle | October 24 – November 1 | Antlerless |
| 3rd Rifle | November 7 – November 15 | Antlerless |
| 4th Rifle | November 18 – November 22 | Either-sex, Antlerless |
| Private-land only | August 15 – November 22 | 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 77°F, lows around 48°F (mid-elevation normals)
- October — highs around 64°F, lows around 36°F, about 0.2 in of snow (mid-elevation normals)
- November — highs around 51°F, lows around 26°F, about 1.3 in of snow (mid-elevation normals)
GMU 60 elk hunting FAQ
How much ground can a hunter actually count on hunting in this unit?
Approximately 195 square miles, or 82% of the unit, is publicly owned and open to hunting. This land is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Forest system. The remaining 18% is private, which restricts access unless permission is obtained or a private-land-only draw tag is won.
Is this unit realistic for someone applying with zero preference points?
Yes, for the easiest qualifying bull or either-sex hunts. Draw difficulty is rated Easy, meaning adult Colorado residents applying for these hunts often draw at zero points. Other weapons, seasons, and nonresident applicants may require substantially more points.
When should a hunter expect the rut to be most active?
The primary rut runs from September 11 through September 30, which aligns with both archery and muzzleloader seasons. By the time the first rifle season opens on October 14, the rut has entered its late and post-rut phases.
Does elk distribution shift through the fall hunting season?
Yes. Summer Range covers only 9% of the unit, while Winter Range encompasses 84%, and Winter Concentration accounts for 16%. Hunters should expect elk to shift toward and concentrate on winter-range ground as temperatures drop through November, though timing and extent depend on weather.
Can a hunter manage the terrain on foot in this unit?
The unit's mix of terrain—46% gentle, 32% moderate, and 23% steep or rugged combined—accommodates hunters of varying fitness levels. However, steeper sections in the 18% steep and 5% rugged areas will demand more effort and route-finding.
What is the general hunting pressure in this unit?
Overall hunter pressure is moderate. Even though the unit draws easily, moderate pressure means hunters should expect to encounter other people, especially during early rifle seasons in October.
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.