The Colorado Hunting Guide

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Colorado archery seasons, 2026

Colorado's 2026 archery seasons for elk and deer run September 2–30, squarely across the elk rut. Pronghorn archery opens earliest of all — August 15 for bucks, then either-sex September 1–20. Archery is the season where residents still hold unlimited over-the-counter either-sex elk in eligible units. CPW 2025–2029 Season Structure

The dates

Full details by species are on the elk, deer, pronghorn and bear pages, and everything is on the season calendar.

Why archery is the prized elk season

September archery overlaps the peak of the elk rut, when bulls are bugling and responsive to calling — the best chance to hunt vocal, active elk. It's also the most accessible: resident over-the-counter either-sex archery elk is still unlimited in eligible units. The major recent change is that non-resident OTC archery elk west of I-25 and in GMU 140 was eliminated and is now draw-only. CPW · Non-resident hunting

Equipment and crossbows

Archery seasons require archery equipment, and Colorado sets minimum draw-weight and broadhead rules for legal bows — the specifics are on legal weapons. On crossbows: they are generally not legal during Colorado's archery seasons (they may be used in the rifle and muzzleloader seasons), with a limited exception for hunters who hold a qualifying disability accommodation. Because that rule turns on your specific permit, confirm it directly with CPW before you carry a crossbow in an archery season. CPW 2026 Big Game Brochure

Common questions

When does archery elk season start in Colorado in 2026?

September 2, 2026, running through September 30 — the full month across the elk rut.

Can you use a crossbow during archery season in Colorado?

Generally no — crossbows are legal in Colorado's rifle and muzzleloader seasons but not the archery seasons, except for hunters with a qualifying disability accommodation. Confirm your situation with CPW before relying on it.

Is archery elk over-the-counter in Colorado?

For residents, yes — unlimited over-the-counter either-sex archery elk in eligible units. For non-residents, OTC archery elk west of I-25 and GMU 140 was eliminated and is now draw-only; see OTC tags.

Primary sources

Never miss a deadline

The Colorado draw application closes in early April, and season dates shift a little each year. Leave your email and we'll send one short reminder before the draw deadline and a note whenever the season dates change — nothing else.