Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s new big game brochure has been hitting hunters’ mailboxes ー the annual reminder to start planning for the seasons ahead.

CPW also reminded in a recent social media post: “Whether you’re after a long-awaited lifetime tag or just getting started with big game hunting, the primary draw is the first stop on this adventure.”

The start of this month marked the start of the application period for those most coveted tags limited by quotas. The period runs through April 7.

For those hunting deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bear, now is the time to study up on preference points, game management units and past hunting statistics “for information from previous draws to help maximize your draw potential,” reads a recent news release. The release outlined some changes for 2026, outlined in greater detail in the new big game brochure, available online and at CPW offices.

Continuing this year, hunters must buy a qualifying license for small game and fish (ranging from $28-$64 for Colorado residents) to participate in the draw, along with a habitat stamp ($12.76). New this year: a $1.25 fee tacked on to licenses, helping to fund search and rescue teams.

Those fees and prices for licenses are listed in the brochure, which also details changes to some game management unit boundaries and various tags and quotas. One notable update for 2026: required, free testing for chronic wasting disease in elk harvested during rifle seasons in certain areas. CPW will not require testing for deer this year.

Hunters might notice another change atop the brochure, where a new species is listed: bison.

“CPW is not proposing regular bison-hunting seasons at this time,” reads one bold line in the brochure.

But future hunting is possible after 2025 legislation classified bison as big game in Colorado. Senate Bill 25-053 “was intended to protect wild bison coming into Colorado from the Utah Book Cliffs bison herd northwest of Grand Junction and southwest of Rangely,” the brochure explains. “Prior to SB25-053, when Book Cliffs bison entered Colorado, they were unprotected due to CPW’s domestic-animal classification in regulations.”

In January, CPW invited hunters to join a roster for potential “director-approved special management licenses,” should leadership deem a hunt necessary. Officials are currently developing what they are calling the Book Cliffs Bison Herd Management Plan.

Applications for the primary draw are due by 8 p.m. April 7 either at cpw.state.co.us/buy-apply or by phone at 1-800-244-5613.

The secondary draw application period will run from June 18-30, including the limited-by-quota licenses remaining from the primary draw. Over-the-counter sales start in August for leftover licenses.