If you’re planning to hunt elk, mule deer, or pronghorn in Colorado as a non-resident, this episode breaks the entire application process down step-by-step so you can approach it with confidence. Colorado offers more big-game opportunity than almost any state in the West, but navigating preference points, qualifying licenses, hunt codes, and non-resident tag caps can feel overwhelming without a clear roadmap. In this conversation, Matt Hartsky explains how Colorado’s primary draw, secondary draw, and leftover or reissued license sales connect, why understanding each phase matters, and how to avoid the costly mistakes that keep hunters on the sidelines for a year.

We dive into Colorado’s true preference-point system and what that means for applicants planning hunts in 2026 and beyond. You’ll learn how and when points are earned, what it means to “burn” points, why only your first choice affects your total, and how group applications average points across multiple hunters. Matt explains how to use point trends to predict draw odds, how point creep evolves from year to year, and which strategies help non-residents build a realistic rotation of hunts rather than waiting endlessly on top-tier units. We also cover why mid-tier units often offer some of the best balance between drawability and hunt quality.

The episode breaks down the tag allocation system that limits high-demand deer and elk tags to 20 percent for non-residents, while other units allow up to 35 percent. Understanding the difference is crucial because it determines where your points will go the farthest and how to spot hunts that are shifting into or out of high-demand status. Matt walks through recent Colorado changes, including the shift of most non-resident archery elk opportunities west of I-25 from over-the-counter to limited entry, which now requires a draw. He also details how leftover tags and reissued tags hit the system each August and why many serious hunters treat the secondary draw and leftover sale as key opportunities to get into the field, even without points.

You’ll hear the full timeline for the Colorado application season, including the March through early April primary draw window, the June secondary draw, and the August leftover sale. Matt explains the qualifying license requirement that catches many new applicants by surprise, why you must purchase it before applying, and how to avoid losing a tag due to expired payment information. From choosing hunt codes to checking results, understanding your CID number, and avoiding duplicate profiles, this episode makes the process simple, predictable, and repeatable.

To help you turn knowledge into strategy, Matt lays out how to build a realistic application plan, balance long-term point building with near-term opportunity, and focus on the best draw choices for your goals. The conversation highlights weapon-specific draw patterns for archery, muzzleloader, and rifle hunters, and shows how season timing influences movement, pressure, and success. Whether you’re after September elk in the timber, mule deer along the high ridges, or pronghorn on open sage, this episode will help you make smart, informed decisions.

If you want to hunt Colorado consistently, this breakdown gives you the clarity to build points, protect points, and use the primary draw, secondary draw, and leftover license sales to your advantage. By learning how Colorado’s system works, how non-resident caps shape opportunity, and how to avoid simple mistakes, you’ll be ready to apply with confidence and line up more Western big-game tags year after year.