The Colorado Hunting Guide

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The blaze-orange rule

Colorado law requires at least 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink material worn as an outer garment above the waist, plus a fluorescent orange or pink hat or head covering visible from all directions, whenever you hunt deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, or black bear with any firearm. Bow hunters using an archery license during archery-only seasons are exempt. CRS § 33-6-121

This is one of the few Colorado hunting rules that comes straight from the legislature rather than the Parks and Wildlife Commission — it's a statute, Colorado Revised Statutes § 33-6-121, not just a CPW regulation. That's part of why it's enforced consistently and carries a set penalty rather than a judgment call by a wildlife officer.

How much, and how it's worn

The statute's own language: garments must be "solid fluorescent pink or daylight fluorescent orange colored material" totaling at least 500 square inches, worn as an outer garment above the waist, and part of that coverage has to be a hat or head covering visible from all directions. CRS § 33-6-121 CPW's own field guidance adds that camouflage orange or camouflage pink does not qualify — the pattern has to be solid color, not a camo print with orange in it. CPW · Elk — In the Field

When it's required

The requirement applies whenever you're hunting deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, or black bear with any firearm — that covers rifle, muzzleloader, and handgun seasons. It does not apply to small game and migratory bird hunting (CPW encourages orange there but doesn't require it), and it does not apply to mountain lion hunting. See legal weapons for what counts as a firearm under Colorado's manner-of-take rules.

Who's exempt

The regulation that implements the statute carves out a short, specific list of exemptions — all archery-related:

2 CCR 406-2 §209 · Special Restrictions

The rest of the section

Blaze orange is one piece of a bigger picture: what counts as a legal firearm in the first place, and when you're allowed to be hunting at all. Both live in the regulations hub alongside this page. Confirm the current-season detail against the Big Game Brochure before you hunt — the Commission can amend 2 CCR 406-2, including its exemption list.

Common questions

How much blaze orange do you need to hunt in Colorado?

At least 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink, worn as an outer garment above the waist, plus a fluorescent orange or pink hat or head covering visible from all directions. Camouflage orange or pink patterns don't meet the requirement.

Do bow hunters have to wear blaze orange in Colorado?

No — not if you're hunting an archery bear, deer, elk, pronghorn, or moose license during an archery-only season. A short list of other archery situations (the limited September rifle bear season, auction/raffle licenses outside rifle season, Ranching for Wildlife) are also exempt.

Does the orange requirement apply to bear, pronghorn, and moose too, or just deer and elk?

All five: deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and black bear, whenever you're hunting any of them with a firearm. It does not apply to small game, migratory birds, or mountain lion hunting.

What happens if I don't wear enough blaze orange?

Under CRS § 33-6-121, it's a misdemeanor carrying a $100 fine and five license suspension points — the same penalty structure as Colorado's other core hunting-safety violations.

Primary sources

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