Out-of-state planning · Updated 2026-10-01
What you need to know before booking a Colorado hunt from another state — license fees, the 65/35 allocation split, draw timing, airport logistics, and what guided packages actually include.
The short answer
Non-residents can hunt in Colorado on a 65/35 limited-entry allocation split with residents — apply by early April (April 7 in 2026) through the CPW online portal. Non-resident elk licenses run ~$781; mule deer ~$455. Guided private-land hunts (lodging + meals + 1:2 guide ratio) typically run $7,000–$12,000+ all-in. The cheapest path is a DIY public-land OTC hunt; the highest-success path is a private-land guided hunt with a confirmed draw or landowner voucher.
License fees
Fees current as of the 2026 season. CPW typically adjusts annually in the January big-game brochure. Verify current-year pricing at cpw.state.co.us before applying.
| Item | Price (NR) |
|---|---|
| Non-resident elk license (limited) | ~$781 |
| Non-resident mule deer license | ~$455 |
| Non-resident turkey license (spring) | ~$140 |
| Non-resident antelope license | ~$395 |
| Habitat stamp (annual, required) | ~$10 |
| Application fee (per species, non-refundable) | ~$8 |
Allocation
Colorado reserves approximately 65% of limited-entry big-game tags for residents and 35% for non-residents on most units. This is standard across the state and applies separately to each unit, weapon class, and species. The non-resident allocation is the bottleneck on most popular draw units — point cutoffs for non-residents are typically 0–1 point higher than for residents on the same hunt code.
On a small number of high-demand units (typically the elite trophy elk and mule deer units in the western slope), the non-resident allocation drops to 20%. CPW publishes the unit-specific allocation in the annual big-game brochure. Most south-of-I-70 units, including GMU 59 on the south slope of Pikes Peak, follow the standard 65/35 split.
For non-resident hunters who can’t wait years to draw a popular unit, the landowner voucher route is the standard workaround — vouchers bypass the draw entirely and aren’t subject to the residency allocation.
Airport logistics
Colorado has two major commercial airports relevant to most hunters: Denver International (DIA) and Colorado Springs (COS). Which one is right depends on your hunt destination.
DIA has substantially more flight options (international + 80+ domestic destinations) but is north of most of the popular Colorado hunt units. From DIA to a western-slope hunt destination is typically 4–6 hours of interstate driving. From DIA to GMU 59 specifically is ~3 hours via I-25.
COS has fewer flight options (~25 domestic destinations direct) but is materially closer to most south-of-I-70 hunt units. From COS to GMU 59 specifically is ~60 miles, 90-minute drive via Old Stage Road. COS also has shorter rental car lines and faster terminal-to-rental-car-to-departing-the- airport time.
For most hunters headed to GMU 59 or any south-slope-Pikes-Peak destination, COS is the right call. For hunters headed to the western slope or northern Colorado, DIA is usually right despite the longer drive — the extra flight options often save total travel time even after the extra driving.
See our Hunts from Colorado Springs page for the full COS-to-ranch logistics.
Guided vs. DIY
DIY public-land hunt: Buy an OTC tag (or draw a limited tag), fly in, rent a vehicle, drive to a public-land hunt area, set up camp or stay in a motel, hunt yourself, process the meat yourself. Total cost typically $1,500–$3,500 all-in. Success rates run 8–15% on most OTC public- land hunts. Best for hunters with significant western big-game experience and a flexible schedule.
Guided private-land hunt: Draw a tag or acquire a landowner voucher for a specific unit, book through a licensed Colorado outfitter, fly into COS or DIA, get picked up, hunt private land with a guide who knows the country, eat at the lodge, sleep at the lodge, processing done by the outfitter. Total cost typically $7,000–$12,000+ all-in depending on add-ons. Success rates on guided private-land hunts run 50–75%+. Best for hunters with limited western experience, families with non-hunting partners, or hunters who want a finite trip duration and high probability of success.
We run the guided private-land model. If you’re evaluating a Colorado hunt and the DIY math works for your situation, by all means do that — but the success-rate delta and the experience compression are why most non- residents choose guided.
Yes. Colorado allocates approximately 65% of limited-entry big-game tags to residents and 35% to non-residents on most units (a small number of high-demand units drop the non-resident allocation to 20%). Non-residents apply through the same CPW primary draw as residents, with the same early-April deadline (April 7 in 2026).
A non-resident Colorado elk license currently runs approximately $781 for a limited-entry tag. Mule deer non-resident licenses run ~$455; spring turkey ~$140; antelope ~$395. The standard $10 habitat stamp is required annually for all license holders.
Non-resident hunters submit primary draw applications by the early-April deadline each year for that fall's hunt (April 7 at 8 p.m. MT in 2026; CPW sets the date each year) — the same deadline as residents. Late applications used to be accepted with a fee but CPW has tightened this rule; non-resident late applications now forfeit the year's preference point even if you don't draw.
The cheapest path is a do-it-yourself public-land hunt on an over-the-counter (OTC) unit, which avoids the draw entirely. Total cost typically runs $1,500–$3,500 for license, travel, gear, and food. Guided private-land hunts with full lodging and meal service run $7,000–$12,000+ all-in.
COS is materially closer to most south-of-I-70 Colorado units, including GMU 59 (60 miles east of COS, 90-minute drive). DIA has more flight options but adds 75–150 miles to most hunt destinations. For Elk Glade specifically, COS is the right call.
Pre-book. Reputable Colorado outfitters book 6–12 months in advance for fall hunt weeks, particularly rifle 2nd and 3rd. Last-minute slots open occasionally from cancellations but you shouldn't plan a trip around finding one.
Standard guided packages include lodging at the outfitter's lodge or camp, three meals daily, 1:1 or 1:2 guide ratio in the field, all necessary tags coordination, field dressing and pack-out, basic processing, and trophy preparation. License fees, gratuities, and shipping are typically billed separately.
Yes. Non-residents can acquire and redeem Colorado landowner vouchers through the CPW online portal, the same way residents do. Voucher purchase prices for non-residents run roughly the same as for residents; the underlying license fee is the higher non-resident rate.
Sources
Plan a hunt from out of state
Send a note with your home state, target weapon class, and current point count. We’ll come back with a candidate week, walk you through the CPW application or voucher path, and handle pickup at COS once your tag is in hand.
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