Colorado

Species on recordOpen now0Classified22Record year2026

The place

What Colorado is like to hunt

Awaiting survey — Colorado overview

Season classification for Colorado is complete for 2026, but the qualitative overview has not been written yet. Dates, bag limits and status below are current; the narrative is what is outstanding.

Issuing agencyColorado Parks and Wildlifecpw.state.co.usRecord year 2026

The reason people drive here

Ring-necked pheasant

#1Ring-necked pheasantRing-necked pheasant is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 44 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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44 statesUpland

Every bird classified here

Species run

Status is computed from the published dates, not stored — a stale build cannot show an ended season as open.

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44 statesUpland

#2Northern bobwhite quailNorthern bobwhite quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 42 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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42 statesUpland

#15Scaled quailScaled quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 7 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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7 statesUpland

#13Gambel's quailGambel's quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 9 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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9 statesUpland

#8Gray (Hungarian) partridgeGray (Hungarian) partridge is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 23 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Colorado

23 statesUpland

#7ChukarChukar is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 24 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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24 statesUpland

#6Greater prairie-chickenGreater prairie-chicken is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 13 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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13 statesUpland

#20Lesser prairie-chickenLesser prairie-chicken is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 5 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Protected — no hunting season

5 statesUpland

#5Sharp-tailed grouseSharp-tailed grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 14 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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14 statesUpland

#3Ruffed grouseRuffed grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 38 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present (no huntable population)

38 statesUpland

#4Greater sage-grouseGreater sage-grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 11 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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11 statesUpland

#14California quailCalifornia quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 9 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Colorado

9 statesUpland

#18Mountain quailMountain quail is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 5 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Colorado

5 statesUpland

#11Spruce grouseSpruce grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 11 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Colorado

11 statesUpland

#12Dusky grouseDusky grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 10 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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10 statesUpland

#17Sooty grouseSooty grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 5 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Colorado

5 statesUpland

#21Willow ptarmiganWillow ptarmigan is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 1 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Colorado

1 statesUpland

#22Rock ptarmiganRock ptarmigan is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 1 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Not present in Colorado

1 statesUpland

#16White-tailed ptarmiganWhite-tailed ptarmigan is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 7 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

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7 statesUpland

Gunnison sage-grouseGunnison sage-grouse is classified as huntable/regulated upland game in 1 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season (research pass captured 2026-08-18). This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species; see each state's own state-species record for season dates and any opportunistic 2026 notes captured incidentally.

Protected — no hunting season

1 statesUpland

#9Mourning doveMourning dove has an open season in 49 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season. This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species this pass.

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49 statesFederal framework

#10American woodcockAmerican woodcock has an open season in 37 of the 50 states surveyed for the 2026-27 season. This is a factual presence/season-classification summary, not a population outlook — no 2026 outlook/forecast research was performed for this species this pass.

No Colorado season — rare vagrant only

37 statesFederal framework

Big game open during your bird season

White-tailed deerArchery and muzzleloader white-tailed-only licenses are draw-required. An OTC either-sex white-tailed license exists for a late rifle season (confirmed example: unit 512, Dec. 1-31); full statewide OTC unit list not confirmed from source graphics.
ElkOTC archery elk is no longer available to nonresidents west of I-25 or in GMU 140 (draw-only there); nonresidents can still buy OTC archery cow elk east of I-25 in GMUs 133/134/141/142. OTC rifle bull elk (unlimited, on sale Aug. 4, 9am) is available for 2nd/3rd rifle seasons in most GMUs open to residents and nonresidents alike (a few GMUs, e.g. 54/55/551, moved from OTC to draw for 2026).
Pronghorn antelopeArchery pronghorn is OTC (either-sex license, bucks-only Aug. 15-31 then either-sex Sept. 1-20). Muzzleloader and rifle pronghorn are draw-required limited licenses with no OTC option found.
Black bearStandalone OTC rifle bear licenses (unlimited, on sale Aug. 4 9am) exist in many GMUs. OTC archery/muzzleloader bear exists only as an 'add-on' license conditioned on already holding a deer or elk license of the same weapon type with an overlapping unit. Limited (draw) archery/muzzleloader/rifle bear licenses also available in many units.
Wild turkeyBoth OTC (unlimited, by GMU) and draw options exist for spring and fall. Fall/late OTC sales begin June 18 at 9am. 2026 spring season (Apr. 11-May 31) had already concluded as of the Aug. 18, 2026 capture date.
Mountain lion / cougarOTC, no draw -- annual licenses go on sale March 25, 2026, first-come. Each unit group carries a numeric harvest-limit quota; a unit group closes for the season once its quota is met (hunters must check CPW's online 'Available Lion Harvest Limit Report' before each hunting day). Nonresident license fee $845.16, no separate nonresident exclusion found.