Colorado Elk Hunting Units & Draw Odds
185 units · 23.2% avg hunter success
Colorado's elk draw runs on a preference-point system across 185 units, giving nonresidents a straightforward path to western hunting. The 2026 draw opens March 1 and closes April 7, with results posted May 26—mark those dates. Nonresidents compete for 20% of available tags and pay $845.16 for a tag plus $11.49 to apply. Below, you'll find real draw data from specific units: which hunts drew with zero points, actual harvest success rates, and the weapon types that came through. This is the hard intel you need to pick your applications and understand where your odds sit.
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 · $845.16 tag · $100 point
Easiest Elk 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 · Muzzleloader, Female S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Archery, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Muzzleloader, Female S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Muzzleloader, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Muzzleloader, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Muzzleloader, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Muzzleloader, Female S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Female S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Female S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Muzzleloader, Female S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Either S1
0 pts drew with certainty · Rifle, Female S1
| Unit | Drew with certainty at | Best zero-point hunt | Success | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | 0 ptsMuzzleloader, Female S1 | — | 50% | 92% |
| Unit 104 | 0 ptsArchery, Either S1 | — | 31% | 13% |
| Unit 11 | 0 ptsMuzzleloader, Female S1 | — | 6.4% | 76% |
| Unit 12 | 0 ptsMuzzleloader, Either S1 | — | 8.1% | 53% |
| Unit 128 | 0 ptsMuzzleloader, Either S1 | — | 28.6% | 15% |
| Unit 13 | 0 ptsMuzzleloader, Either S1 | — | 45.5% | 27% |
| Unit 131 | 0 ptsMuzzleloader, Female S1 | — | 57.6% | 18% |
| Unit 133 | 0 ptsRifle, Female S1 | — | 55.6% | 17% |
| Unit 134 | 0 ptsRifle, Female S1 | — | 76.6% | 8% |
| Unit 14 | 0 ptsMuzzleloader, Female S1 | — | 9.8% | 87% |
| Unit 140 | 0 ptsRifle, Either S1 | — | 26.7% | 8% |
| Unit 141 | 0 ptsRifle, Female S1 | — | 55.6% | 8% |
All Colorado Elk Units
Colorado Elk Draw FAQ
How does Colorado's elk preference-point system work for nonresidents?
You enter the draw with however many preference points you've accumulated; the system awards tags to the applicants with the highest point totals first. Nonresidents make up 20% of the tag pool. If you draw, you pay $845.16 for the tag itself plus the $11.49 application fee.
When do I apply for Colorado elk and when do I find out if I drew?
Applications open March 1 and close April 7 for the 2026 draw. Results come back May 26. That timeline gives you time to plan your hunt once you know your fate.
Can I draw a Colorado elk tag with zero points?
Yes. Several units have drawn nonresident hunters with zero preference points in recent years—Unit 1, Unit 104, Unit 12, and Unit 128 all came through with zero-point draws. It depends on the specific unit, weapon type, and how many other applicants are competing.
What harvest success rates should I expect in Colorado elk units?
It varies significantly by unit and weapon type. Muzzleloader hunts in our data range from 6.4% to 50% success; archery sits at 31%. Scout the specific unit you're targeting, because success swings widely based on terrain, elk density, and hunting pressure.
Plan your Colorado Elk 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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