Draw Process Working Group
The Draw Process Working Group has concluded their final work session. Recommendations from the working group’s final work session, and other topics considered by the working group, were heard by the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) as an informational item at their July 18-19, 2024 meeting. Draft Draw Process Working Group regulation recommendations will be considered by the Commission at their November 14-15, 2024 meeting.
Final regulations will be considered for approval at the January 2025 PWC meeting. Any changes approved would not be effective until the 2028 hunting seasons at the earliest. Interested members of the public are encouraged to provide comments to the Commission for their consideration at the November 2024 or January 2025 meetings as part of the rulemaking process.
Interested members of the public are encouraged to submit written comments (email dnr_cpwcommission@state.co.us) or register to provide oral comments to the Parks and Wildlife Commission. More information is available on the PWC Submit Public Comments page.
At the May 2023 Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting, the Commission requested Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) staff to form a Draw Process Working Group. The purpose of the Draw Process Working Group is to analyze the agency’s current hunting draw rules and processes in order to identify ways to reduce complexities and find new solutions/alternatives to fix some of the preference point and other draw-related issues. The Draw Process Working Group will also focus on addressing the biological and sociological concerns related to Colorado’s limited license draws.
The Draw Process Working Group, representing a broad range of interests in hunting management and game conservation, will:
- Provide input on the current draw rules and processes,
- Brainstorm ways to reduce complexities in the current system
- Formulate potential solutions and alternatives to address issues with the current system
The topics to be covered during the Draw Process Working Group work sessions include:
- Primary Draw/Draw Methods
- Preference Points
- Weighted Draw and Weighted Preference Points
- Reissue Process
All Draw Process Working Group meetings will be livestreamed on the CPW YouTube Channel. For more information on these meetings, contact dnr_cpw_planning@state.co.us.
Share Your Thoughts with the Draw Process Working Group!
CLOSED: Public input related to the Draw Process Working Group is no longer being accepted through this page. If you would like to provide input related to the Draw Process Working Group, please submit your comments directly to the Parks and Wildlife Commission. To submit your comments, please email dnr_cpwcommission@state.co.us or visit https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Submit-Public-Comments.aspx for information on providing oral public comment at a Commission meeting.
Documents
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Draw Process Working Group Charter (285 KB) (pdf)
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Draw Process Working Group Updates - November Commission Meeting Memo
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Draw Process Working Group Recommendations on Sheep, Goat and Moose Draws (709 KB) (pdf)
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Draw Process Working Group Recommendations on Primary Draw Methods and Preference Points (375 KB) (pdf)
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Draw Process Working Group Recommendations on Reissue Process (287 KB) (pdf)
1. Reissue system is a mess. Major bandwith problems at 11am every Wednesday. I believe it leads to dissapointment for many and reward for very few. Return to every 5 minute release and limit to only resident hunters.
2. Get rid of unlimited OTC elk tags for non-residents. Colorado has a monopoly on elk tags and the commercialization of elk hunting. Unfortunately this has led to significant crowding issues in archery, 2nd, and 3rd rifle seasons. I've spoken to many "old timers" and they believe crowding issues are significantly effecting elk behavior. This has led to a reduced elk hunting experience for both residents and non-residents alike. Cap the amount of tags that materially reduces the number of hunters. Colorado is behind the rest of the West in providing preference to residents, establishing quality hunting opportunities and limiting crowding. If the current system continues non-residents will likely stop applying for Colorado OTC anyways- as the hunting experience has deterioriated.
As a Colorado resident, I’ve noticed an extremely high amount of nonresident hunters, literally no elk, no bear, and lots of deer. My suggestion is that CPW looks at tags filled vs nonfilled tags and allow refunds to those nonfilled customers. Next, offer tags to those nonfilled hunters before the nr people. I’ve purchased tags for all 3 animals and have not killed in the last 5 years. I spent well over $500 this year alone. Put the seasons back to longer weeks and roll them over into December if we don’t kill. Offer points for unfilled tags as well!
I have a suggestion regarding the draw in general for unit 84. Opening day of 2nd rifle sounded like WW3 had started. West of I-25, the Mountain Lion population is exploding. Due to this additional pressure, Mt perspective is that unless a tag applicant lives within the unit, the application should be denied for the period of 5yrs. This unit is currently finding an equilibrium that cannot be predicted without the passage of time. I respectfully request that CPW restrict out or state AND out of unit verifiable applicants be denied for 5 yrs at which time the restriction can be removed, provided the health of the various herds are able to sustain hunting at the expected level.
All "OTC" tags should require application in the primary draw by unit, and as 1st choice only, and will use points if the applicant has points. Then OTC should be renamed "general" for nonresidents and be limited by unit.
Returned license program needs to be changed to spread out demand and thwart unfair technological advantages. Going back to the old random addition of tags on a 5 minute cycle is one option. Residents only is another option.
COLRADO NEEDS TO MAKE MAJOR CHANGES TO GET PEOPLE THROUGHT THE SYSTEM AND STOP ALLOWING PEOPLE TO PLAY THE SYSTEM EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THIS IS MY SUGGESTION.
Primary Draw: (Applicant must be in this draw to be considered for ANY license below)
Choice 1 - Takes all Points.
Choice 2 - Takes all Points.
Choice 3 - Takes all Points.
Choice 4 - Takes all Points.
Secondary Draw: (Applicant must have been in the primary draw to be considered for the secondary draw)
Choice 1 - Takes 1/2 applicants Points.
Choice 2 - Takes 1/2 applicants Points.
Choice 3 - Takes 1/2 applicants Points.
Choice 4 - Takes 1/2 applicants Points.
OTC Areas by GMU- Caped for both Residents AND Non-residents by GMU area. OTC licenses MUST be applied for in the Primary or Secondary draw (Choice 1-4) if they intend to hunt OTC GMU Areas.
Tag Surrender: Absolutely NO surrendering of tags for any reason. You draw it, you lose all of your points, and you hunt it, or you don't hunt it. ABSOLUTLEY no turning back in tags. If tags remain after the secondary draw, they shall be destroyed due to the lack of interest in those particular tags.
Re-Issue Process: Completely Eliminated
Preference points: If you are unsuccessful in BOTH the primary AND secondary draw for an A-list tag, you will be awarded a point. If you draw an A-list tag in ANY of the draws you should not be eligible for a preference point for that license year.
GO BACK TO THE EVERY 5 MINUTE INTERVAL FOR THE REISSUE LIST!!
The game and fish website clogs up so bad with this system, the common out-of-state hunter doesn’t stand a chance.
Thanks for listening -Draw Work Group
1. Leave the primary draw as is.
2. Re-issue , go back to the 5 minute interval list. The current weekly list does not work well.
3. Please no “cue it” waiting room for re-issue tags. Idaho has this system is a disaster.