Colorado Elk Hunting Season 2025, 2026
Recorded elk windows for Colorado, including history and unverified dates.
Recorded dates, not hunting permission
Status assessment: 2026-10-14 UTC (static build snapshot). Static activity badges and day counts use this build assessment, not a live check. Interactive finder results show their own UTC assessment day.
4 of 7 recorded windows have date-review evidence. Other rows remain unverified. Historical records are retained and are not a current-season promise.
Check your current agency regulations, GMU or zone, hunt code, license and access restrictions before hunting. An agency link or successful publication fetch does not verify a row. Reviewed base dates do not cover every license-specific exception.
Date evidence: Official date source. Review dates apply only to the stated row scope, not an entire state or current license eligibility.
Colorado Elk Season Calendar
Find all elk hunting season dates for Colorado including archery, rifle, muzzleloader, and shotgun seasons for 2025, 2026.
Recorded Elk Windows at the Assessment Date
SNAPSHOT1 elk season recorded with dates including the assessment date in Colorado
Oct 14-18, 2026
Date window reviewed 2026-10-02; verify license-specific exceptions. Regular-season base calendar only; check licensed GMU and hunt code. First rifle season. Check the limited-license hunt tables for your GMU/hunt code. Date window reviewed in the 2026 CPW Big Game brochure, printed page 35. Unit-specific, early, late and private-land hunt-code exceptions are not covered.
All Elk Seasons
7 seasons for Colorado elk hunting
Aug 30 - Sep 28, 2025
Unverified date record; agency review required. Archery season
Oct 12 - Nov 10, 2025
Unverified date record; agency review required. Unverified historical summary. This combined range does not establish continuous hunting permission or closed gaps.
Oct 14-18, 2026
Date window reviewed 2026-10-02; verify license-specific exceptions. Regular-season base calendar only; check licensed GMU and hunt code. First rifle season. Check the limited-license hunt tables for your GMU/hunt code. Date window reviewed in the 2026 CPW Big Game brochure, printed page 35. Unit-specific, early, late and private-land hunt-code exceptions are not covered.
Oct 24 - Nov 1, 2026
Date window reviewed 2026-10-02; verify license-specific exceptions. Regular-season base calendar only; check licensed GMU and hunt code. Second rifle season. The brochure notes bull licenses in GMUs 54, 55 and 551 moved from unlimited OTC to limited. License availability varies by GMU, residency and hunt code; this is not an OTC eligibility claim. Date window reviewed in the 2026 CPW Big Game brochure, printed page 35. Unit-specific exceptions are not covered.
Nov 7-15, 2026
Date window reviewed 2026-10-02; verify license-specific exceptions. Regular-season base calendar only; check licensed GMU and hunt code. Third rifle season. The brochure notes bull licenses in GMUs 54, 55 and 551 moved from unlimited OTC to limited. License availability varies by GMU, residency and hunt code; this is not an OTC eligibility claim. Date window reviewed in the 2026 CPW Big Game brochure, printed page 35. Unit-specific exceptions are not covered.
Nov 18-22, 2026
Date window reviewed 2026-10-02; verify license-specific exceptions. Regular-season base calendar only; check licensed GMU and hunt code. Fourth rifle season. Check the limited-license hunt tables for your GMU/hunt code. Date window reviewed in the 2026 CPW Big Game brochure, printed page 35. Unit-specific, early, late and private-land hunt-code exceptions are not covered.
Sep 13-21, 2025
Unverified date record; agency review required. Muzzleloader season
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Important Note for Colorado
Only the four 2026 regular elk rifle date windows have date-review evidence. Other records and the recorded license-year metadata remain unverified. Your license and GMU/hunt code control dates, sex, access and restrictions; this is not complete Colorado regulation coverage.
Colorado Elk Hunting FAQ
Common questions about elk hunting in Colorado
When is elk season in Colorado?
Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2025-08-30 to 2025-09-28; 2025-10-12 to 2025-11-10; 2026-10-14 to 2026-10-18; 2026-10-24 to 2026-11-01; 2026-11-07 to 2026-11-15; 2026-11-18 to 2026-11-22; 2025-09-13 to 2025-09-21. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.
When does archery elk season start in Colorado?
Recorded archery elk window: Aug 30, 2025 to Sep 28, 2025. Unverified date record; agency review required. Archery season
When is elk rifle/firearms season in Colorado?
Recorded windows, not one continuous season: 2025-10-12 to 2025-11-10; 2026-10-14 to 2026-10-18; 2026-10-24 to 2026-11-01; 2026-11-07 to 2026-11-15; 2026-11-18 to 2026-11-22. Historical and unverified records may be included. Check each row's evidence and your current GMU/hunt code and license before hunting.
Does Colorado have a muzzleloader elk season?
Recorded muzzleloader elk window: Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 21, 2025. Unverified date record; agency review required. Muzzleloader season
Do I need a license to hunt elk in Colorado?
Yes, you need a valid Colorado hunting license and any required elk tags or permits. Check with the Colorado wildlife agency for current license requirements and fees.
Elk Hunting in Other States
Compare elk seasons across states
View All Colorado Hunting Seasons
See recorded windows and their review status for other species in Colorado.
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