You read that right. Colorado elk numbers are up, and more tags are coming.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife just dropped some of the best elk news we’ve heard in years. After the brutal winter of 2022-23 — the worst in 70 years — elk populations in northwest Colorado are finally back in the objective range. And CPW is responding by proposing a significant increase in hunting licenses for the 2026 season.
For anyone who’s been grinding the preference point game or watching Colorado get tighter and tighter, this is the kind of news that changes plans.
What the Numbers Say
During this year’s aerial classification flights, CPW biologists counted over 18,500 elk in the White River and Williams Fork drainages alone. That’s a slight increase from last year and part of a consistent upward trend driven by three consecutive mild winters.
To put that in perspective, some areas north of Craig saw elk populations cut in half after the 2022-23 winter. Half. That’s the kind of loss that takes years to recover from — and it did. But the herds have done their part, and now the state is ready to open things up.
What’s Changing
CPW’s northwest region staff will present a plan to the Parks and Wildlife Commission at the May meeting in Grand Junction. The proposal includes two big moves:
More antlerless elk licenses. This is the primary tool CPW uses to manage herd size. When populations exceed objectives, cow tags increase. If you’ve been wanting an affordable elk hunt with high odds of filling a tag, antlerless hunts in northwest Colorado should be on your radar.
Bull tags going back to over-the-counter. Second and third rifle season bull tags in some northwest units are proposed to return to OTC status. That’s huge. For the past few years, the trend across the West has been pulling tags out of OTC and putting them into limited draw. Colorado bucking that trend — even in select units — is a signal that the herds can handle the pressure.
These changes won’t be finalized until the Commission votes in May, but CPW doesn’t float proposals they’re not confident in.
Why This Matters Beyond Colorado
Colorado is the largest elk state in the country. When CPW increases licenses here, it sends ripple effects across western hunting. More tags mean more hunters in the field, which means more demand for outfitters, more competition on public land, and more opportunity for guys who plan early.
Utah is also proposing an 8% increase in deer permits for 2026 as mule deer populations recover. The pattern is clear — several western states are seeing wildlife rebounds after tough winters, and they’re responding with more opportunity.
If you’re sitting on Colorado preference points and haven’t committed to a unit yet, the May announcement could reshape your strategy. Units in the White River drainage (think GMUs 22, 23, 24, 211, 131) have historically been strong elk country, and more tags means better draw odds.
What You Should Do Right Now
Keep an eye on the May Commission meeting. If these proposals pass, the secondary draw (results July 7) could be your chance to grab a tag in units that just got more available. Even if you already applied in the primary draw, understanding where CPW is adding licenses helps you plan for leftover tags and the secondary draw.
And if you’ve been putting off that Colorado elk hunt, this might be the year the math finally works in your favor. We offer several guided Colorado elk hunts — from our horseback backcountry elk hunt during the September rut to private land rifle hunts in southwest Colorado. If you want to talk through units, timing, or what a guided elk hunt actually looks like, reach out to our team.
Not ready to book but still want in on a Colorado elk hunt? Enter our Dream Hunts Sweepstakes — a $50 entry could win you an $8,500 guided elk hunt with tags and license included. Only 500 entries max.
Also check out our latest blog on spring bear glassing tips if you’re looking to get after bears while you wait for elk season. And browse all of our guided hunting trips to start planning your fall.
