CO Elk Unit 481

CO 481 — Tactical Analysis. Terrain & Access CO 481 spans 180,848 acres across dramatic elevation—from 7,600 ft to above 14,300 ft—with 84% public land. The 31% wilderness designation means roughly one-third of the unit remains roadless; the balance is accessible via trail and foot traffic across national forest. Expect high-elevation terrain typical of Colorado's central mountains: mixed conifer forests at mid-elevation transitioning to alpine tundra and rocky slopes at the top. This is a vertical hunt where elevation and aspect drive elk movement and herd concentration. Herd Quality Recent wildlife surveys show a 24:100 bull:cow ratio—average/well-managed..