Gunnison Basin Hunters Must Apply for Licenses by 2026

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approves regulation change to eliminate over-the-counter bull elk hunting licenses in northern Gunnison Basin.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved a regulation change that eliminates over-the-counter bull elk hunting licenses in the northern Gunnison Basin. Starting in 2026, hunters in Game Management Units 54, 55 and 551 will be required to apply for licenses through the annual draw process, aligning the northern units with the southern Gunnison Basin units that were converted to limited licensing in 1999.

Why it matters

This management shift provides Colorado Parks and Wildlife more precise options to manage local elk herds by adjusting bull license numbers in response to herd dynamics, environmental factors, and hunter preferences. The change aims to maintain hunting opportunities while addressing concerns over high kill rates, trespassing, and hunter crowding in the region.

The details

The phase-in period will initially set bull license numbers for the second and third rifle seasons near the previous three-year average, or reduce them by no more than 10%. This is intended to maintain hunting opportunities while managers evaluate draw statistics and demand. The Gunnison Wildlife Association partnered with CPW to host informational meetings and conduct surveys, finding 70% of Gunnison Basin residents supported the conversion to limited licenses.

  • The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the regulation change during a meeting held on January 14-15, 2026.
  • For the 2026 hunting seasons, draw applications are due by 8 p.m. on April 7, 2026.
  • The Parks and Wildlife Commission will approve final license numbers during its annual meeting in May 2026.

The players

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission

The state agency responsible for managing Colorado's wildlife and natural resources.

Brandon Diamond

CPW area wildlife manager for the Gunnison region.

Gunnison Wildlife Association

A local organization that partnered with CPW to gather community input on the license changes.

Cody Dyce

President of the Gunnison Wildlife Association.

Roger Cesario

Representative of the Southwest Region on the CPW Sportspersons Roundtable.

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What they’re saying

“Our elk management objectives have not changed and are outlined in our local Herd Management Plans. We are still managing toward a bull-cow ratio and a population objective. However, we now will have a more surgical ability to adjust bull licenses in response to herd dynamics, local and statewide events such as severe winters and wildfires and we also can help manage toward hunter preferences and hunt experience.”

— Brandon Diamond, CPW area wildlife manager for the Gunnison region (westernslopenow.com)

“The outcome of this proposal also is testament to the importance of public involvement in wildlife management decisions and collaboration with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and other stakeholders to address wildlife concerns.”

— Cody Dyce, President of the Gunnison Wildlife Association (westernslopenow.com)

“Early snows not only move elk out of the high country into sagebrush valleys where they are extremely vulnerable, it also concentrates hunters into smaller areas contributing to all sorts of questionable behavior.”

— Roger Cesario, Representative of the Southwest Region on the CPW Sportspersons Roundtable (westernslopenow.com)

What’s next

The Parks and Wildlife Commission will approve final license numbers for the 2026 hunting seasons during its annual meeting in May 2026.

The takeaway

This regulation change empowers Colorado Parks and Wildlife to more precisely manage the Gunnison Basin elk herd by adjusting bull license numbers, addressing concerns over high kill rates, trespassing, and hunter crowding. The collaborative process with local stakeholders demonstrates the importance of public involvement in wildlife management decisions.