CPW proposes an increase in hunting licenses as elk population rises

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) will propose an increase in hunting licenses for the 2026 Big Game Hunting season.

CPW said the proposal is due to an increase in elk populations in northwest Colorado. CPW said area biologists saw elk in the Bears Ears and White River areas returning to the population objective range for the first time since the severe winter of 2022-23.

CPW said its northwest region staff will present the Parks and Wildlife Commission in May with a plan to significantly increase the number of antlerless elk licenses, while bull tags during second and third rifle seasons switch back to over-the-counter.

“Looking at the landscape today, it’s hard to believe that just three years ago we were experiencing the worst winter we had seen in 70 years,” said CPW Meeker Area Terrestrial Biologist Darby Finley. “That spring we saw some of the lowest survival rates ever recorded by CPW biologists. In some areas elk populations north of Craig were reduced by half. Today, we are seeing a much different picture with elk population numbers.”

“The lack of snow made it difficult to count elk blending into the sagebrush-covered hills,” said CPW Craig Area Terrestrial Biologist Becca De Vergie. “Despite this challenge, and thanks to a skilled pilot, we were still able to observe and classify thousands of elk in overall good body condition.”