2 CCR 406-5
Department of Natural Resources CHAPTER W-5 - MIGRATORY BIRDS 2 CCR 406-5 [Editor’s Notes follow the text of the rules at the end of this CCR Document.] ARTICLE I – GENERAL PROVISIONS #500 – DEFINITIONS:
A. “Migratory birds” means those migratory birds included in the terms and conventions between the United States and any foreign country for the protection of migratory birds.
B. “Migratory game birds” means sora, Virginia rail, sandhill crane, Wilson’s snipe, mourning dove, white-winged dove, band-tailed pigeon, crows, ducks, coots, and geese.
C. “Waterfowl” means ducks and geese.
D. “Dark geese” means Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant, cackling geese and all other species of geese except light geese.
E. “Light geese” means snow (including blue) geese, and Ross' geese.
F. “Manipulation” means the alteration of natural vegetation or agricultural crops by activities that include but are not limited to mowing, shredding, discing, rolling, chopping, trampling, flattening, burning, or herbicide treatments. Manipulation does not include the distributing or scattering of grain, seed, or other feed after removal from or storage on the field where grown.
G. “Natural vegetation” means any non-agricultural, native, or naturalized plant species that grows at a site in response to planting or from existing seeds or other propagules. Natural vegetation does not include planted millet. However, planted millet that grows on its own in subsequent years after the year of planting is considered natural vegetation.
H. “Normal agricultural operation” means a normal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation or agricultural practice that is conducted in accordance with 50 C.F.R. 20.11 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, October 1, 2013).
I. “Normal agricultural planting, harvesting, or post-harvest manipulation” means a planting or harvesting undertaken for the purpose of producing and gathering a crop, or manipulation after such harvest and removal of grain, that is conducted in accordance with 50 C.F.R. 20.11 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, October 1, 2013).
J. “Normal soil stabilization practice” means a planting for agricultural soil erosion control or post-mining land reclamation conducted in accordance with 50 C.F.R.
20.11 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, October 1, 2013).
K. “Non-toxic shot” means any shot type approved for use to take migratory game birds by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 50 C.F.R. 20.21, November 6, 2017. This federal regulation, but not later amendments to or editions thereof, has been incorporated by reference and can be viewed and copies obtained as set forth in the “Incorporated References” section of Chapter W-0 of these regulations.
L. “Sinkbox” means a raft or any type of low floating device having a depression which affords a hunter a means of concealing himself below the surface of the water.
#501 – HUNTING HOURS A. One-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
#502 – MANNER OF TAKING The following are legal methods of take for game species listed in this chapter. Any method of take not listed herein shall be prohibited, except as otherwise provided by statute or Commission regulation.
A. Waterfowl and other migratory game birds:
1. Shotgun - Any shotgun not larger than 10 gauge, not firing single slugs and incapable of holding more than three (3) shells in the magazine and chamber combined and fired from the shoulder. Shotguns of any description originally capable of holding more than three (3) shells total capacity shall have the magazine so cut off, altered or plugged with a one- piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so as to reduce the total gun capacity to hold no more than three (3) shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
2. Hand-held bow - With any hand held bow provided that the arrow or bowstring is not held or drawn mechanically, except no bows may be used on any firing line designated by the Commission.
3. Blinds - In the open or from a blind or other place of concealment on land or water except a sink box. When camouflaged with vegetation from agricultural crops, such camouflaging must not result in the exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of grain or other feed.
4. Vessels - From or by means of any vessel (excluding a sinkbox) having a motor or sails attached when the motor has been shut off and/or the sails furled, and its progress therefrom has ceased or from a vessel that is drifting or being propelled by hand, or by the aid of a vessel when used solely as a means of picking up dead or injured birds.
5. Hawking or Falconry - By means of hawking or falconry.
6. Decoys, dogs, and calls - By the aid of a dog, artificial decoys, or with the aid and use of birdcalls except recorded or electrically amplified calls or sounds, unless their use has been authorized elsewhere in this chapter.
B. Non toxic shot requirements 1. Shot size - No person shall possess or use non toxic shot of size larger than size T while taking or attempting to take ducks, geese, or coots anywhere in Colorado.
2. Statewide, including all counties in Colorado in both the Central and Pacific flyways;
a. No person shall use or possess shot (either in shot shells or as loose shot for muzzle loading) other than non toxic shot while taking or attempting to take ducks, geese or coots.
3. Non toxic shot is required on commercial wildlife parks, during field trials, and during dog training activities when taking captive reared mallards in Colorado.
C. Prohibition of baiting 1. Migratory game birds and waterfowl may not be taken by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area, if the person knows or reasonably should know that the area is a baited area. It is unlawful to place or direct the placement of bait on or adjacent to an area for the purpose of causing, inducing, or allowing any person to take or attempt to take any migratory game bird by the aid of baiting or on or over the baited area.
2. As used in this sub paragraph “baiting” means the direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of salt, grain, or other feed that could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them. “Baited area” means any area on which salt, grain, or other feed has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, if that salt, grain, or other feed could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on, or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them. Any such area will remain a baited area for ten days following the complete removal of all such salt, grain, or other feed.
3. Nothing in this regulation shall prohibit the taking of any migratory game bird, including waterfowl, coots, and cranes, on or over the following lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas:
a. Standing crops or flooded standing crops (including aquatics); standing, flooded, or manipulated natural vegetation; flooded harvested croplands; or lands or areas where seeds or grains have been scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation or normal soil stabilization practice; or standing or flooded standing agricultural crops where grain is inadvertently scattered solely as a result of a hunter entering or exiting a hunting area, placing decoys, or retrieving downed birds.
4. Nothing in this regulation shall prohibit the taking of any migratory game bird, except waterfowl, coots, and cranes, on or over the following lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas:
a. Areas where grain or other feed has been distributed or scattered solely as the result of the manipulation of an agricultural crop or other feed on the land where grown, or solely as the result of a normal agricultural operation.
#503 – LICENSE AND STAMP REQUIREMENTS A. License required 1. A small game license is required to take all migratory game birds listed in #500(B) for which an open season exists.
2. Each hunter must register their intent to hunt migratory birds by completing a Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey online (www.cpwshop.com) or by calling (1-855-521-3050) prior to their first hunting trip of the season. For the purpose of this regulation, "season" means the period March 1 through March 31 of the following year.
B. Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person who has attained the age of sixteen (16) years shall take any migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans) unless at the time of such taking they have on their person an unexpired Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (commonly called duck stamp), either as a physical stamp validated by their signature written across the face of the stamp in ink or as an electronic stamp.
C. Colorado State Waterfowl Hunting Stamp In addition to the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, no person who has attained the age of sixteen (16) years shall take any migratory waterfowl (ducks and geese) unless they possess and carry on their person a valid Colorado State Waterfowl Hunting Stamp, validated by their signature on the license.
1. A Colorado State Waterfowl Stamp may be obtained for collection or personal purposes, but shall not serve as the required state stamp for waterfowl hunting purposes.
D. Band-Tailed Pigeon Permit Beginning with the 2016 band-tailed pigeon hunting season, no hunter shall take any band-tailed pigeons unless at the time of such taking they have on their person an annual band-tailed pigeon permit in addition to a small game license. An annual band-tailed pigeon permit can be purchased for $5.00.
E. Sandhill Crane Permit Beginning with the 2024 sandhill crane hunting season, no hunter shall take any sandhill cranes unless at the time of such taking they have on their person an annual sandhill crane permit in addition to a small game license. An annual sandhill crane permit can be purchased for $0.00.
#504 – SPECIAL CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS A. General The State of Colorado is divided into two migratory waterfowl flyways consisting of the Pacific Flyway which includes all lands west of the Continental Divide, and the Central Flyway which includes all lands east of the Continental Divide.
1. A person may take in any one day, during the open season prescribed, not to exceed the number of migratory game birds and waterfowl permitted in this chapter. When so taken such birds may be possessed in the numbers specified in this chapter, except that no person on the opening day of the season may possess any migratory game birds or waterfowl in excess of the applicable daily limits and no person may possess any freshly killed migratory game birds or waterfowl during the closed season for such birds.
2. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to permit the taking of migratory game birds or waterfowl on any Federal reservation or sanctuary, or any area of the United States set aside under any law, proclamation, or executive order for use as a bird, game, or other wildlife reservation, breeding ground, or refuge, or on any area designated as a closed area under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act except as may be permitted by these regulations.
3. No migratory game bird or waterfowl may be taken at any time, or by any means, from, on or across any highway, road, designated trail, or other right of-way, whether public or private, within the exterior boundaries of any established national wildlife refuge.
4. Open seasons are established only on such migratory game birds and waterfowl as are herein designated. Exceptions to daily bag and possession limits and to the hours of hunting stated in Federal Migratory Bird regulations shall be as prescribed in this chapter.
5. Descriptions of all closures, specific areas, and areas with special restrictions in this chapter begin with the northern boundary and are described in clockwise rotation, with all roads or designations listed connecting to the next in the progression. The following standard abbreviations are used throughout this chapter:
Colorado State highways: Colo County: Co County roads: Co Rd Interstate highways: I- Road: Rd U.S. (Federal) highways: US Note: Migratory bird hunting closures and special provisions and restrictions for Division properties are found in Chapter W-9.
B. Possession of Live Birds Every migratory game bird wounded by hunting and reduced to possession by the hunter shall be immediately killed and become a part of the daily bag limit. No person shall at any time, or by any means, possess or transport live migratory game birds taken under the provisions of this chapter.
C. Possession of Plumage and Skin of Migratory Birds and Waterfowl.
1. No permit is necessary to possess and transport for his own use the plumage and skins of lawfully taken migratory game birds and waterfowl.
2. Personal use of feathers or skins any person for his own use may possess, transport, ship, import, and export without a permit the feathers and skins of lawfully taken migratory game birds.
D. Commercial Use of Feathers Any person may possess, purchase, sell, barter, or transport for the making of fishing flies, bed pillows, and mattresses, and for similar commercial uses the feathers of migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans) killed by hunting pursuant to these regulations, or seized and condemned by Federal or State game authorities except that:
1. No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter for millinery or ornamental use the feathers of migratory game birds taken under authority of this chapter, and;
2. No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell or barter mounted specimens of migratory game birds taken under authority of this chapter.
E. Most Restrictive Federal or State Law Shall Apply Federal and State laws and regulations govern the taking of all migratory birds, in all cases, the most restrictive State or Federal regulation shall apply by species.
F. Processing, Storage and Tagging Required No person shall put or leave any migratory game birds at any place (other than at his personal abode), or in the custody of another person for picking, cleaning, processing, or storage (including temporary storage), or for the purpose of having taxidermy services performed, unless such birds or package or container of such birds has a tag attached, signed by the hunter, stating the hunter's address, the total number and species of birds, the date such birds were killed, and the hunter's hunting license number.
G. Custody of Birds of Another Person No person shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are tagged as required in item F.
H. Migratory Bird Preservation Facilities No preservation facility shall:
1. Receive, possess or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person for purposes of picking, cleaning, freezing, processing, storage or shipment, unless accurate records are maintained showing (1) the number of each species, (2) the date such birds were received, (3) the date such birds were disposed of, and (4) the name and address of the person to whom such birds were delivered, or 2. Destroy any records required to be maintained under this section for a period of one (1) year following the last entry on the record, or 3. Prevent any person authorized to enforce the provisions of this regulation from entering such facilities at all reasonable hours and inspecting the records and the premises where such operations are being carried on.
I. Closures 1. Waterfowl hunting is prohibited within the area bounded on the north by the Colorado-Wyoming state line; on the east and south by I-76, Colo 71, US 36, and I-70; and on the west by the Continental Divide and the Larimer-Jackson county line and in Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Mesa, Otero, and Prowers counties.
a. Within fifty (50) yards on each side of the center line of any public road.
b. Within one-hundred-fifty (150) yards of any dwelling including the air space directly above this closure, without first obtaining permission from the owner, occupant, or person in charge of the dwelling.
2. Hunting is restricted as specified below:
a. Barr Lake State Park, Adams County
b. Boyd Lake State Park, Larimer County
c. Colorado River, Grand County
d. Colorado River, Mesa County
e. Grand Lake and Windy Gap Reservoir, Grand County
f. Highline Lake State Park, Mesa County
g. James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, Mesa County
h. Pueblo County - No person shall discharge a firearm or release an arrow for the purpose of hunting waterfowl within 150 yards of any dwelling, including the airspace directly above this closure, without first obtaining permission from the owner, occupant, or person in charge of the dwelling.
i. Prewitt Reservoir, Logan and Washington counties
j. Stagecoach State Park, Routt County
k. Sweitzer Lake, Delta County
l. Trinidad State Recreation Area, Las Animas County
m. Turk's Ponds Area, Baca County
n. Vancil Reservoir, Morgan County
3. Hunting is prohibited in the areas listed below, as posted by the Division.
a. Crawford State Recreation Area, Delta County
b. Lower Latham Reservoir, Weld County c. Meredith Reservoir, Crowley County 4. Hunting geese is prohibited as specified in the areas listed below:
a. Dillon Reservoir, Summit County
b. Empire Reservoir, Weld and Morgan Counties
c. Fossil Creek Reservoir, Larimer County
d. Jumbo Reservoir, Logan and Sedgwick Counties
e. Ovid-Julesburg Corridor, Sedgwick County
5. On properties specified in #504(I)(6), which have reservations available or required, those reservations may be made by phone or online (cpw.state.co.us). Reservations for waterfowl hunting may not be made more than 14 days in advance of the hunt date, nor after 12:00 noon on the day before the hunt date. Hunters who wish to cancel a reservation must do so no later than 12:00 noon on the day before the hunt date. Failure to hunt a reserved area without prior cancellation, or follow check station procedures, may cause forfeiture of the privilege to make reservations for the remainder of the hunting season. Hunters are limited to a maximum of one reservation per hunt date. Hunters must possess a valid license for the species to be hunted in order to make a reservation. Reservations are not transferable. The individual named on the reservation must be at the property on the day of the hunt. Hunters with reservations may only hunt the hunt area specified on the reservation. Any exceptions to the above restrictions will be listed under property specific regulations in #504.I and #901.B.
6. Reservations for waterfowl hunting are available or required on the following properties:
a. Andrick Ponds State Wildlife Area b. Banner Lakes State Wildlife Area c. Barr Lake State Park d. Boyd Lake State Park e. Brush Prairie Ponds State Wildlife Area f. Colorado River Island State Wildlife Area g. Centennial Valley State Wildlife Area h. Elliott State Wildlife Area i. Flanders Ranch State Wildlife Area j. Franklin Island State Wildlife Area k. Highline Lake State Park l. Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area m. Jackson Lake State Wildlife Area n. James M. Robb Colorado River State Park o. Mitani-Tokuyasu State Wildlife Area p. Orchard Mesa Wildlife Area q. Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area r. Tilman Bishop State Wildlife Area s. Stagecoach State Park t. Sweitzer Lake State Park u. Whitehorse State Wildlife Area ARTICLE II – Regular Seasons, Areas, Dates and Limits #505 – Sora and Virginia Rail A. Statewide:
1. Dates: September 1 - November 9 annually.
2. Daily Bag Limit: Twenty five (25) soras or Virginia rails singly or in the aggregate.
#506 – Sandhill Crane A. All areas east of the Continental Divide except North Park (Jackson County) and the San Luis Valley.
1. Dates: October 3 – November 29, 2026.
2. Daily Bag Limit: Three (3).
#507 – Wilson’s Snipe A. Statewide 1. Dates: September 1 – December 16 annually.
2. Daily Bag Limit: Eight (8).
#508 – Mourning Dove and White-Winged Dove A. Statewide.
1. Dates: September 1 – November 29 annually.
a. Fifteen (15) mourning doves or white-winged doves singly or in the aggregate.
3. Possession Limit:
a. Three (3) daily bag limits.
4. Special Conditions and Restrictions a. While in the field or during transport, all dressed (not fully feathered) doves shall be counted against the daily bag or possession limit for mourning and white-winged doves.
#509 – Band Tailed Pigeon A. Statewide.
1. Dates: September 1 – 14 annually.
2. Daily Bag Limit: Two (2).
#510 – Crow A. Statewide.
1. Dates: November 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027.
2. Daily Bag Limit: Unlimited.
3. Possession Limit: Unlimited.
4. Special Conditions and Restrictions – Recorded or electronically amplified calls may be used during this season.
#511 – Duck and Coot A. Central Flyway Northeast Zone – All areas east of Interstate 25 and north of Interstate 70.
a. First season: October 17 – November 29, 2026.
b. Second season: December 11, 2026 – January 31, 2027.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Six (6) in the aggregate. Of the six (6), no more than five (5) mallards, of which no more than two (2) can be female, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, three (3) wood ducks, and one (1) scaup.
b. Coots: Fifteen (15).
B. Central Flyway Southeast Zone – All areas east of Interstate 25 and south of Interstate 70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas Counties.
a. October 28, 2026 – January 31, 2027.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Six (6) in the aggregate. Of the six (6), no more than five (5) mallards, of which no more than two (2) can be female, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, three (3) wood ducks, and one (1) scaup.
b. Coots: Fifteen (15).
C. Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills Zone – All areas west of Interstate 25 and east of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas Counties.
a. First season: October 3 – November 29, 2026.
b. Second season: December 25, 2026 – January 31, 2027.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Six (6) in the aggregate. Of the six (6), no more than five (5) mallards, of which no more than two (2) can be female, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, three (3) wood ducks, and one (1) scaup.
b. Coots: Fifteen (15).
D. Pacific Flyway Western Zone – All areas west of the Continental Divide not included in the Eastern Zone.
a. First season: October 3 – October 20, 2026.
b. Second season: November 6, 2026 - January 31, 2027.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Seven (7) in the aggregate. Of the 7 (seven), no more than two (2) female mallards, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, and two (2) scaup. No scaup may be taken after January 12, 2027.
b. Coots: Twenty five (25).
3. Possession limit:
a. Three (3) daily bag limits.
E. Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone - All of Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin counties, those portions of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, and Mineral counties west of the Continental Divide, and those portions of Gunnison County except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (GMUs 521, 53, and 63), and that portion of Moffat County east of the northern intersection of Moffat County Rd 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line, south along Moffat County Rd 29 to the intersection of Moffat County Rd 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead Reservoir State Park).
a. First season: October 3, 2026 – January 15, 2027.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Seven (7) in the aggregate. Of the 7 (seven), no more than two (2) female mallards, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, and two (2) scaup. No scaup may be taken after December 27, 2026.
b. Coots: Twenty five (25).
3. Possession limit:
a. Three (3) daily bag limits.
#512 – Goose A. North Park – Jackson County a. Dark goose:
b. Light goose: October 31, 2026 – February 14, 2027.
a. Dark goose: Five (5).
b. Light goose: Fifty (50).
3. Possession limit:
a. Dark goose: Three (3) daily bag limits.
b. Light goose: Unlimited.
B. South Park – All of Chafee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, and Teller Counties.
a. Dark goose:
b. Light goose: October 31, 2026 – February 14, 2027.
a. Dark goose: Five (5).
b. Light goose: Fifty (50).
3. Possession limit:
a. Dark goose: Three (3) daily bag limits.
b. Light goose: Unlimited.
C. San Luis Valley – All of Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Rio Grande counties, and those portions of Archuleta, San Juan, Saguache, Mineral, and Hinsdale counties east of the Continental Divide.
a. Dark goose:
b. Light goose: October 31, 2026 – February 14, 2027.
a. Dark goose: Five (5).
b. Light goose: Fifty (50).
3. Possession limit:
a. Dark goose: Three (3) daily bag limits.
b. Light goose: Unlimited.
D. Balance of Central Flyway – All areas east of the Continental Divide, except North Park, South Park and San Luis Valley.
a. Dark goose: November 2, 2026 – February 14, 2027.
b. Light goose: October 31, 2026 – February 14, 2027.
a. Dark goose: Five (5).
b. Light goose: Fifty (50).
3. Possession limit:
a. Dark goose: Three (3) daily bag limits.
b. Light goose: Unlimited.
E. Pacific Flyway Western Zone – All areas west of the Continental Divide not included in the Eastern Zone.
a. First season: October 3 – October 11, 2026.
b. Second season: November 6, 2026 – January 31, 2027.
a. Dark goose: Five (5).
b. Light goose: Ten (10).
F. Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone – All of Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin counties, those portions of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, and Mineral counties west of the Continental Divide, and those portions of Gunnison County except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (GMUs 521, 53, and 63), and that portion of Moffat County east of the northern intersection of Moffat County Rd 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line, south along Moffat County Rd 29 to the intersection of Moffat County Rd 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead Reservoir State Park.
a. First season: October 3, 2026 – January 6, 2027.
a. Dark goose: Five (5).
b. Light goose: Ten (10).
ARTICLE III - Special Seasons, Areas, Dates and Limits #513 – Youth, Veteran and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Days A. Central Flyway Northeast Zone – All areas east of Interstate 25 and north of Interstate 70.
1. Dates: October 10 – October 11, 2026.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Six (6) in the aggregate. Of the 6 (six), no more than five (5) mallards, of which no more than two (2) can be female, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, three (3) wood ducks, and one (1) scaup.
b. Coots: Fifteen (15).
c. Dark Goose: Five (5).
B. Central Flyway Southeast Zone – All areas east of Interstate 25 and south of Interstate 70, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas Counties.
1. Dates: October 17 – October 18, 2026.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Six (6) in the aggregate. Of the 6 (six), no more than five (5) mallards, of which no more than two (2) can be female, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, three (3) wood ducks, and one (1) scaup.
b. Coots: Fifteen (15).
c. Dark Goose: Five (5).
C. Central Flyway Mountain/Foothills Zone – All areas west of Interstate 25 and east of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano and Las Animas Counties.
1. Dates: September 26 – September 27, 2026.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Six (6) in the aggregate. Of the six (6), no more than five (5) mallards, of which no more than two (2) can be female, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, three (3) wood ducks, and one (1) scaup.
b. Coots: Fifteen (15).
c. Dark Goose: Five (5).
D. Pacific Flyway Western Zone – All areas west of the Continental Divide not included in the Eastern Zone.
1. Dates: October 24 – October 25, 2026.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Seven (7) in the aggregate. Of the 7 (seven), no more than two (2) female mallards, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, and two (2) scaup.
b. Coots: Twenty five (25).
c. Dark Goose: Five (5).
d. Light Goose: Ten (10).
3. Possession limit:
a. Three (3) daily bag limits.
E. Pacific Flyway Eastern Zone – All of Routt, Grand, Summit, Eagle, and Pitkin counties, those portions of Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, and Mineral counties west of the Continental Divide, and those portions of Gunnison County except the North Fork of the Gunnison River Valley (GMUs 521, 53, and 63), and that portion of Moffat County east of the northern intersection of Moffat County Rd 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line, south along Moffat County Rd 29 to the intersection of Moffat County Rd 29 with the Moffat-Routt County line (Elkhead Reservoir State Park).
1. Dates: September 26 – September 27, 2026.
a. Ducks and Mergansers: Seven (7) in the aggregate. Of the 7 (seven), no more than two (2) female mallards, three (3) pintails, two (2) canvasback, two (2) redheads, and two (2) scaup.
b. Coots: Twenty five (25).
c. Dark Goose: Five (5).
d. Light Goose: Ten (10).
3. Possession limit:
a. Three (3) daily bag limits.
F. Youth seasons are restricted to hunting by youth 17 years of age and younger accompanied by a mentor. A mentor must be 18 years of age or older and hold a valid hunter education certificate or be born before January 1, 1949, and must accompany the youth while in the act of hunting. Mentors are not authorized to hunt ducks, geese, mergansers, or coots during this season.
G. Veteran and active military personnel seasons are restricted to hunting by veterans and members of the Armed Forces on active duty, including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than training). For the purposes of this rule, the term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. Acceptable forms of military identification include:
1. DD214;
2. DD Form 2;
3. DD Form 2765;
4. Active, retired or veteran military identification cards;
5. A current Colorado Driver’s License or state issued identification card with the word ‘Veteran’ printed on it as specified in 42-2-303 (5)(a), C.R.S.;
6. VA medical card; or 7. For members of the National Guard and Reserves, current military orders for active duty other than training.
#514 – September Teal A. Lake and Chaffee counties and all areas east of I-25.
1. Dates: September 12 – September 20, 2026.
2. Daily bag limit: Six (6).
#515 – Early Canada Goose A. Pacific Flyway – All areas west of the Continental Divide.
1. Dates: September 1 – 9 annually.
2. Daily bag limit: Five (5).
ARTICLE IV – Conservation Order Seasons, Areas, Dates and Limits #516 – Light Goose A. Central Flyway – All areas east of I-25.
a. February 15 – April 30, 2027.
2. Daily bag limit: Unlimited.
3. Possession limit: Unlimited.
4. Special Conditions and Restrictions a. Recorded or electronically amplified calls may be used to take light geese during the conservation order season.
b. Hunting of light geese is allowed from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset.
c. A Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is not required to take light geese during the conservation order season.
d. Shotguns capable of holding more than three rounds in the magazine and chamber combined may be used to take light geese during the conservation order season.
e. All other regulations applicable to hunting migratory waterfowl in Colorado apply to taking light geese during the conservation order season.
ARTICLE V – Vacant #517 – Vacant ARTICLE VI – Falconry #518 – Special Falconry Regulations A. Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds during regular or extended seasons.
1. Regular Seasons a. General hunting regulations prescribed in this chapter, including seasons and hunting hours, apply to falconry. General season bag and possession limits do not apply to falconry.
b. Daily bag and possession limits for all permitted migratory game birds shall not exceed 3 and 9 birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits.
2. Extended Seasons a. There are no extended seasons.
Editor’s Notes History Rules # 503, 511-513 emer. rules eff. 08/13/2007.
Rules #501-503, 506, 510-517 eff. 08/30/2007.
Rules #503, 511-513 eff. 09/30/2007.
Entire rule eff. 09/01/2008.
Rules #511, 513 emer. rules eff. 09/11/2008.
Rules #511, 512, 513 eff. 10/01/2008.
Rules #511, 513 eff. 12/01/2008.
Entire rule eff. 09/01/2009.
Rules #511, 513 eff. 10/01/2009.
Rule #503 D eff. 01/01/2010.
Rules #504 I.1, 504 I.2 eff. 07/01/2010.
Entire rule eff. 09/01/2010.
Rules #512, 514 eff. 10/01/2010.
Entire rule eff. 09/01/2011.
Rules #512, 513, 514 eff. 10/01/2011.
Rule #513 E eff. 01/01/2012.
Entire rule eff. 09/01/2012.
Rules #512, 514 eff. 10/01/2012.
Rules #505 A.3, 512 A.2.a, 512 B.2.a, 512 C.2.a, 512 D.2.a, 513 A.2.b, 513 B.2.b, 513 C.2.b, 513 D.2.b, 514 A.2.a, 514 B.2.a, 514 C.2.a, 514 D.2.a, 519 A.1.b emer. rules eff. 08/08/2013.
Rules #503 D.3.d, 504 I.4.d.1, 505 A.1, 506 A, 507 A, 508 A.1, 508 A.3, 509 A.1, 510 A, 511 A.1, 512-517 A.1.a eff. 09/01/2013.
Rules #505 A.3, 512 A.2.a, 512 B.2.a, 512 C.2.a, 512 D.2.a, 513 A.2.b, 513 B.2.b, 513 C.2.b, 513 D.2.b, 514 A.2.a, 514 B.2.a, 513 C.2.a, 514 D.2.a, 519 A.1.b eff. 11/01/2013.
Rules #509-518 emer. rules eff 08/08/2014.
Rules #500 H-K, 502 A, 503 A.1, 503 D.2.a, 506 A.1, 509-518 eff. 09/01/2014. Rules #509-518 eff. 10/01/2014.
Rules #503 D, 504 I.2.a, 504 I.2.e.1, 504 I.3, 506 A.1, 509 A.1-509 A.2, 510 A.1, 511 A.1, 511 B.1.a, 511 C.1, 511 D.1, 512 A.1, 512 B.1, 512 C.1, 512 E.1, 513 A.1, 513 B.1, 513 C.1, 513 D.1, 514 A.1, 516 A.1.a eff. 09/01/2015. Rules #510 A.1, 511 A.2.a, 511 B.2.a, 511 C.2.a, 511 D.2.a, 513 A.2.a, 513 B.2.a, 513 C.2.a, 513 D.2.a eff. 10/01/2015.
Rules #503 A.2, 504 I.2.e, 506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511 A.1, 511 B.1.a, 511 C.1, 511 D, 511 E, 512 A.1, 512 B.1, 512 C.1, 512 D.1, 512 E, 512 F, 513 A.1, 513 B.1, 513 C.1, 513 D, 513 E, 513 F, 514 A.1, 516 A.1.a eff. 05/01/2016. Rules #504, 510 eff. 11/01/2016.
Rule #503 E repealed eff. 03/02/2017.
Rules #506-516 eff. 05/01/2017.
Rule #511 eff. 08/01/2017.
Rule #504 J, Article V, rule #517 repealed eff. 01/01/2018. Rules #500 K, 504 I.2-I.4, 506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511-513, 514 A.1, 516 A.1 eff. 05/01/2018. Rules #500 D, 504 I.2, 506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511-513, 514 A.1, 516 A.1 emer. rules eff. 04/10/2019.
Rules #500 D, 504 I.2, 506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511-513, 514 A.1, 516 A.1 eff. 07/01/2019. Rules #503 B-C eff. 03/01/2020.
Rules #506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511-513, 514 A.1, 516 A.1 emer. rules eff. 03/30/2020. Rules #504 I.2-3, 504 I.5-6, 506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511-513, 514 A.1, 516 A.1.a eff. 06/30/2020.
Rules #504 I.2.k, 504 I.6 eff. 11/01/2020.
Rules #500 K, 504 A.5, 504 I.2.k.1, 506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511-513, 514 A.1, 516 A.1 eff. 05/01/2021.
Rules #506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511-513, 514 A.1, 515 A.2, 516 A.1 eff. 05/01/2022. Rules #506 A.1, 511-513, 514 A.1, 516 A.1 eff. 05/01/2023. Rules #503, 506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511 A.1, 511 B.1.a, 511 C.1, 511 D.1, 511 D.2.a, 511 E.1.a, 511 E.2.a, 512 A.1, 512 B.1, 512 C.1, 512 D.1, 512 E.1, 512 F.1.a, 513 A.1, 513 B.1, 513 C.1, 513 D.1, 513 E.1, 514 A.1, 516 A.1.a eff. 05/01/2024. Rules #506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511, 512, 513 A-E, 514 A.1, 516 A.1.a eff. 05/01/2025. Rules #506 A.1, 510 A.1, 511 A.1, 511 B.1.a, 511 C.1, 511 D.1-2, 511 E.1-2, 512 A.1, 512 B.1, 512 C.1, 512 D.1 512 E.1, 512 F.1, 413 A.1, 513 B.1, 513 C.1, 513 D.1, 513 E.1, 514 A.1, 516 A.1.a eff, 05/01/2026.