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What a Colorado hunting license costs
In 2026 a Colorado elk license costs $70.40 for residents and $845.16 for non-residents — but that is not the whole bill. To hunt big game you also need a qualifying license (about $38.49 resident / $104.86 non-resident) and, for ages 18–64, a $12.76 habitat stamp. The full tables are below. CPW · Elk license
Big-game license fees
| Species | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | $70.40 | $845.16 |
| Deer | $51.25 | $506.92 |
| Pronghorn | $51.25 | $506.92 |
| Black bear | $64.01 | $302.56 |
| Moose | $385.66 | $2,823.53 |
| Bighorn sheep | $385.66 | $2,823.53 |
| Mountain goat | $385.66 | $2,823.53 |
These are the base license prices CPW lists, with the search-and-rescue and wildlife-education surcharges already included. Non-resident big-game licenses are sold as a license/fishing combo, so the non-resident figure includes a fishing privilege through March 31, 2027. Elk is a single license fee whether you draw a bull, cow, or either-sex tag — the difference is in the hunt code, not the price. CPW · Elk license
Qualifying license, habitat stamp & fees
| What | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying license (annual small game) | $38.49 | $104.86 |
| Habitat stamp — annual (ages 18–64) | $12.76 | $12.76 |
| Habitat stamp — lifetime | $384.16 | $384.16 |
| Application fee (per species) | $8.93 | $11.49 |
| Preference-point-only fee (moose/sheep/goat) | $50.00 | $100.00 |
A quick worked example: a non-resident bull-elk hunter applying in the draw is looking at roughly $845.16 (elk) + $104.86 (qualifying license) + $12.76 (habitat stamp) + $11.49 (application fee) — about $974 before travel, and that's for one species application. CPW · Primary Draw The non-resident elk page builds the full trip budget, and the DIY cost breakdown adds fuel, processing and gear.
Youth pricing
Colorado prices youth licenses far below adult tags to keep new hunters coming in. Youth still need a qualifying license, and habitat-stamp rules apply by age. CPW · Deer license (youth + qualifying)
| Youth (12–17) | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Elk / deer / pronghorn | $20.30 | $130.07 |
| Black bear | $19.93 | $64.10 |
| Annual small game (qualifying) | $2.53 | $2.53 |
Keep these current
CPW sets fees by the license year (April 1 – March 31) and adjusts them periodically, so a price from an old blog is a price you can't trust. Every figure here was read from CPW's own license pages on the verified date at the top; when they change, this page changes. Confirm the live price at checkout — over-the-counter tags and limited draw tags ring up differently.
Common questions
How much is a non-resident elk tag in Colorado?
A 2026 non-resident elk license is $845.16. On top of that you need a qualifying license (about $104.86 for non-residents) and, for ages 18–64, a $12.76 habitat stamp — so the real out-the-door cost for the license alone is closer to $960.
What is the "qualifying license" and do I really need it?
Yes. Since 2019 Colorado requires every big-game applicant to hold a qualifying license — most people use the annual small-game license ($38.49 resident / $104.86 non-resident). You need it to apply in the draw and, in most cases, to buy a license at all.
How much does it cost to hunt elk in Colorado as a resident?
A resident elk license is $70.40. Add the qualifying license (~$38.49) and the $12.76 habitat stamp and you're at roughly $122 for the license package, before an $8.93 application fee if you're applying in the draw.
Primary sources
- CPW — Elk hunting & license fees verified Jul. 2026
- CPW — Deer hunting (qualifying license, habitat stamp, youth) verified Jul. 2026
- CPW — Big Game Primary Draw (application fees, point fees) verified Jul. 2026