CO Elk Hunting

Colorado Elk Units & Season 2026

Elk season in Colorado runs Aug 15 – Jan 31 across 54 GMUs.

2923 Seasons3 Weapon Types30% Avg Harvest

Rifle

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Unit 15th Private Land RifleAug 15Jan 150.08/mi²89%
Unit 11st Late RifleDec 1Dec 310.08/mi²89%
Unit 11st Early RifleOct 1Oct 110%0.09/mi²89%
GMU 11st RifleOct 14Oct 18
Unit 11st RifleOct 14Oct 180%0.08/mi²89%
Unit 12nd RifleOct 24Nov 157%0.20/mi²89%
GMU 12nd RifleOct 24Nov 1
Unit 13rd RifleNov 7Nov 1562%0.16/mi²89%
GMU 13rd RifleNov 7Nov 15
Unit 14th RifleNov 18Nov 2217%0.20/mi²89%
GMU 14th RifleNov 18Nov 22
Unit 105th Private Land RifleAug 15Jan 150.12/mi²76%
Unit 101st RifleSep 2Nov 300.00/mi²76%
Unit 101st RFW RifleSep 27Oct 10.00/mi²76%
Unit 101st RFW RifleOct 4Oct 80.02/mi²76%
Unit 101st Late RifleDec 1Dec 310.01/mi²76%
Unit 101st Early RifleOct 1Oct 1152%0.04/mi²76%
Unit 101st RifleOct 14Oct 1852%0.09/mi²76%
GMU 101st RifleOct 14Oct 18
Unit 102nd RifleOct 24Nov 155%0.06/mi²76%
GMU 102nd RifleOct 24Nov 1
GMU 103rd RifleNov 7Nov 15
Unit 103rd RifleNov 7Nov 1532%0.06/mi²76%
GMU 104th RifleNov 18Nov 22
Unit 104th RifleNov 18Nov 2256%0.11/mi²76%

+ 318 more

Muzzleloader

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
GMU 1MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
Unit 11st MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 200%0.04/mi²89%
Unit 11st MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 200%0.03/mi²89%
GMU 10MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
Unit 101st MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20100%0.01/mi²76%
Unit 101st MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20100%0.01/mi²76%
GMU 100MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 101MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 102MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 103MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 104MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
Unit 1041st MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 2033%0.02/mi²4%
Unit 1041st MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 2033%0.03/mi²4%
GMU 105MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 106MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 107MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 109MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 11MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
Unit 111st MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 200%0.16/mi²68%
Unit 111st MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 200%0.16/mi²68%
GMU 110MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 111MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 112MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 113MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20
GMU 114MuzzleloaderSep 12Sep 20

+ 62 more

Archery

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
GMU 1ArcherySep 2Sep 30
Unit 11st ArcherySep 2Sep 300%0.02/mi²89%
GMU 10ArcherySep 2Sep 30
Unit 101st ArcherySep 2Sep 3047%0.02/mi²76%
GMU 100ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 101ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 102ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 103ArcherySep 2Sep 30
Unit 1041st ArcherySep 2Sep 3039%0.02/mi²4%
GMU 104ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 105ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 106ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 107ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 109ArcherySep 2Sep 30
Unit 111st ArcherySep 2Sep 301.23/mi²68%
Unit 111st Private Land ArcherySep 2Sep 301.64/mi²68%
GMU 11ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 110ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 111ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 112ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 113ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 114ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 115ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 116ArcherySep 2Sep 30
GMU 117ArcherySep 2Sep 30

+ 45 more

Elk in Colorado: FAQ

When is elk season in Colorado?

Elk season in Colorado currently runs Aug 15 to Jan 31, across 500 season rows and 54 GMUs, split by weapon (Rifle, Archery, Muzzleloader).

Where is the best place to hunt elk in Colorado?

The best GMUs for elk in Colorado depend on harvest success and public-land access, both shown per GMU above. Compare units before you apply for a tag or plan your hunt.

Plan your Elk hunt in Colorado

View GMU boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.

Also see Colorado seasons, public land, and license.

Elk seasons in Colorado — offline