Colorado Black Bear Hunting Units & Draw Odds
155 units · 4.0% avg hunter success
Colorado's Black Bear draw runs on a preference point system, giving nonresidents a fair shot at tags across 155 units. The 2026 application window opens March 1 and closes April 7, with results posted May 26—mark those dates now. Nonresidents draw from a dedicated allocation of tags each year. The application fee is minimal; the tag fee covers your actual hunt. We've pulled harvest success rates and draw requirements from recent years so you can see which units have historically drawn without points and which ones have produced. Use this data to pick your strategy: focus on accessible units with proven success, or take your chances on tougher draws with potentially less pressure.
How the Colorado Draw Works
Draw system
Preference points — the highest point holders draw first.
Nonresident allocation: 20% of tags
2026 application window
Mar 1 – Apr 7(nonresident)
Results: May 26
2026 fees (nonresident, regular)
$11.49 app · $117.62 license · $302.56 tag · $100 point
Easiest Black Bear Draws for Nonresidents (2024 Results)
Point levels that drew with certainty, and the best documented zero-point hunts — actual draw results, per hunt.
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Muzzleloader, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
| Unit | Drew with certainty at | Best zero-point hunt | Success | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 0% | 92% |
| Unit 10 | 0 ptsMuzzleloader, Either S1 | — | 0% | 87% |
| Unit 11 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 2% | 76% |
| Unit 12 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 2.6% | 53% |
| Unit 13 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 2.6% | 27% |
| Unit 131 | 0 ptsRifle, Either S1 | — | 5.9% | 18% |
| Unit 14 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 0.4% | 87% |
| Unit 15 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 2.7% | 70% |
| Unit 16 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 0.4% | 55% |
| Unit 18 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 2.7% | 89% |
| Unit 2 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 0% | 99% |
| Unit 20 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 2.5% | 61% |
All Colorado Black Bear Units
Colorado Black Bear Draw FAQ
How many preference points do I need to draw a Colorado Black Bear tag?
Several Colorado units have drawn nonresident tags with zero preference points in recent years. That said, preference points accumulate each year you don't draw, improving your odds. The draw system favors hunters willing to apply repeatedly and let points stack—it's a long game, but it works.
When do Colorado Black Bear applications open and close for nonresidents?
The 2026 application window opens March 1 and closes April 7. Results post May 26. Plan ahead: mark those deadlines and submit early to avoid last-minute issues.
What's the total cost to apply and hunt Colorado Black Bear as a nonresident?
The application fee is charged once per entry. If you draw, the tag fee covers your hunt. Both fees are set annually; check the current year's breakdown on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for exact amounts.
Which Colorado Black Bear units are easiest to draw as a nonresident?
Several units—including Units 1, 10, 11, 12, and 13—have drawn nonresident hunters with zero preference points in recent years. Harvest success varies by unit and season type, so look at both the draw requirement and the success rate before committing your application.
Plan your Colorado Black Bear hunt — free account, no card. Run the draw simulator at your point level, see 2022–2024 data, and save units to compare.
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