As part of the Colorado Chronic Wasting Disease Response Plan, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) will be conducting mandatory chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing during the 2019 hunting season.

In late September, CPW sent out letters to Colorado rifle season buck and doe hunters who have been selected for mandatory chronic wasting disease testing. 78 Game Management Units (GMU) were included in the letter. For a complete list of CWD testing submission sites along with hours and locations, visit cpw.state.co.us/CWD.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease found in deer, elk, and moose, lasting anywhere from 2 to 3 years. Symptoms of infected animals include emaciation, excessive salivation, lack of muscle coordination, loss of bodily functions, and abnormal behavior, including lack of fear of humans. There is no known cure and the disease is always fatal. While CWD is not known to infect humans, it is strongly recommended that hunters do not eat meat from infected animals.

CPW will reimburse costs incurred from processing CWD-positive animals. The standard rate will be up to $100 for animals non-commercially processed and up to $200 for deer and elk that are commercially processed. The maximum reimbursement for commercially processed moose is $250.

Hunters whose deer tested positive for CWD will receive a letter from Colorado Parks and Wildlife explaining what they currently know about the disease, disposal recommendations, and public health information.

For reimbursement, the following items will be required: a hunting license showing CID number, CWD head tag, proof of payment, credit card slip, copy of both the front and back of the canceled check, a receipt showing cash payment, and an itemized invoice.

2019 combined rifle seasons for deer and elk are scheduled as followed: October, 19-27, November, 2-10, and November, 13-17. For big game season dates and fees, click here.