Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission Approves Hunting Regulations and Fee Increases for 2026
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission finalized hunting regulations, state park fee increases and wildlife management changes during its November 13-14 meeting in Sterling, with most regulations taking effect January 1, 2026.
The commission approved increases to daily vehicle fees at four state parks, adjusted hunting seasons and license structures across multiple game management units, and established new turkey hunting regulations for the 2026 season.
The two-day meeting marked the final step in a formal rulemaking process that began with initial consideration at previous commission meetings. Final regulations approved during the Sterling meeting will be codified in Colorado Parks and Wildlife's regulatory chapters governing parks access, hunting seasons and wildlife management.
State Park Fees Increase Under Local Access Funding Law
The commission finalized increases to daily vehicle fees at Elkhead Reservoir, Pearl Lake, Stagecoach and Steamboat Lake state parks pursuant to Senate Bill 23-059 Local Access Funding.
The legislation, signed into law in 2023, authorizes Colorado Parks and Wildlife to collect additional vehicle entry fees at specific state parks to support access route maintenance and operations. Revenue from the fee increases remains directed to the originating parks for infrastructure maintenance, visitor amenities, staffing and habitat restoration, according to CPW.
Current daily vehicle passes at the four parks cost between $10 and $12 depending on park classification. The approved increases raise fees to $15 per vehicle per day at each location.
The fee structure allows local governments to request CPW collect an additional vehicle entry fee of up to $2 per vehicle for daily passes at specific state parks within their boundaries. The local access fee is transferred directly to the requesting local government for access route maintenance and operations.
License Fees and Backcountry Search and Rescue Fee Adjusted
The commission approved adjustments to license fees and license agent commission rates according to the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Consumer Price Index. The changes also include an increase to the backcountry search and rescue fee.
CPW increased the statewide Backcountry Search and Rescue surcharge from 25 cents to $1.25 on November 13, marking the first fee adjustment in 38 years as rescue missions and operational costs have surged across Northern Colorado and the state. The fee applies to all wildlife licenses and registrations for boats, snowmobiles and off-highway vehicles.
Revenue supports approximately 50 volunteer search-and-rescue organizations statewide, including teams that serve Larimer and Weld counties. Larimer County Search and Rescue logged between 80 and 120 missions annually from 2008 through 2023, according to mission reports from the volunteer organization.
Turkey Hunting Regulations Finalized for 2026
The commission approved regulations for the 2026 turkey hunting seasons, including license areas, season dates and manner of take provisions.
Colorado manages turkey hunting through a combination of limited and over-the-counter licenses distributed across game management units statewide. The regulations establish spring and fall hunting opportunities with specific bag limits and weapon restrictions.
Turkey populations in Colorado have expanded significantly since initial reintroduction efforts in the 1980s and 1990s. The species now occupies suitable habitat across much of the state, including foothills and river corridors in Larimer and Weld counties.
Wild Bison Regulations Approved Under New State Law
The commission finalized regulations implementing Senate Bill 25-053, establishing rules that differentiate between wild bison as big game and domestic bison. The regulations address future regulated hunting of wild bison and payment of compensation for damage caused by wild bison.
The legislation establishes a dual legal classification for bison in Colorado, marking the first time since 1897 that wild bison will receive legal protection as wildlife in the state. Privately owned and fenced bison herds will continue under Colorado Department of Agriculture oversight as livestock, while free-ranging bison that naturally enter the state from neighboring jurisdictions will be managed as big game wildlife by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
The regulations take effect January 1, 2026. CPW is developing a comprehensive Book Cliffs Bison Herd Management plan through an 18-month stakeholder process expected to conclude in early 2027.
Elk Licenses Converted From Unlimited to Limited in Select Units
The commission opened for issue identification review of big game regulations including modifications to elk hunting in game management units 54, 55 and 551. The proposed changes would convert second and third rifle season bull elk licenses from unlimited over-the-counter to limited licenses in these units.
The modifications respond to elk populations that have fallen at or below management objectives following several consecutive years of high harvest and drought-induced calf survival decline, according to CPW wildlife population data. Converting unlimited licenses to limited quotas controls hunter crowding, manages harvest rates and reduces pressure on bull populations.
Game management units are geographic areas defined for regulating hunting opportunities through distinct season dates, license quotas and harvest limits. Data analysis units group one or more adjacent game management units managed as a single population for setting overall herd objectives.
Additional elk regulation changes under consideration include removing antler point restrictions in game management unit 82, modifying hunt codes for first and fourth rifle seasons in data analysis unit E-2, and creating private-land-only hunt codes in data analysis units E-13, E-20 and E-35.
Private-land-only licenses restrict hunting access to deeded private property within game management unit boundaries, excluding public lands. The designation reduces crowding on public land and increases landowner cooperation in management objectives.
Deer, Pronghorn and Bighorn Sheep Regulation Changes Proposed
The commission reviewed proposed deer hunting changes including creating a first rifle season buck hunt code in data analysis unit D-30, which covers portions of Larimer and Weld counties. Additional deer proposals include creating private-land-only deer hunt codes in game management unit 682 and data analysis unit D-24.
Mule deer numbers in Northern Colorado have stabilized but remain vulnerable to winter severity and habitat pressure, according to CPW population surveys. The proposed changes aim to maintain healthy herds and quality hunting opportunities while managing harvest pressure.
Pronghorn regulation changes under consideration include creating pronghorn licenses in data analysis unit A-22 and establishing a second antlerless season in data analysis unit A-3.
The commission reviewed bighorn sheep regulations including removing hunt code SMS79O1R, closing hunting in game management unit S-35 due to low population size, and combining sheep hunt codes in game management units S1 and S18.
Fishing Regulations Take Effect April 1, 2026
The commission finalized fishing regulation changes that take effect April 1, 2026, including season dates, bag and possession limits, licensing requirements and manner of take provisions.
Specific changes include prohibiting fishing around the George Creek Fish Barrier, modifying take regulations for tiger muskie at Lake Granby, Grand Lake and the Colorado River downstream of Shadow Mountain Reservoir, and modifying regulations on Herman Gulch and Dry Gulch to protect declining populations of native Greenback Cutthroat Trout.
The commission also approved modifying take regulations at Sloan Lake in Hinsdale County and adjusting the closure date on Tenmile Creek and Blue River upstream of Dillon Reservoir from September 1 to September 15.
Most fishing regulation changes become effective April 1 to align with fishing season openers and facilitate accurate publication of the annual fishing brochure, according to CPW.
Commission Meetings and Public Participation
The Parks and Wildlife Commission meets regularly and travels to communities around the state to facilitate public participation. The meetings keep constituents informed about regulation development and how the commission works with Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to manage parks, wildlife and outdoor recreation programs.
The public can submit written comments to the commission at [email protected]. Details on providing public comments for hybrid meetings are available on CPW's website at cpw.state.co.us.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife operates as an enterprise agency funded primarily through license sales, state parks fees and registration revenues. The agency manages 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, with operations contributing approximately $6 billion annually to Colorado's economy.