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Colorado black bear seasons, 2026
Colorado's 2026 black bear seasons include archery September 2–30, muzzleloader September 12–20, a separate September rifle season September 2–30, and concurrent rifle bear during each of the four fall deer/elk rifle seasons. Two rules matter more than the dates: in Colorado, baiting bears and hunting them with dogs are both illegal. CPW 2025–2029 Season Structure
Colorado has a large and growing black bear population, and bear tags are often available over the counter in the fall seasons — one of the more accessible big-game hunts in the state. The dates below are the statewide framework from the full calendar.
Season dates as a table
| Species | Method | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Black bear | Archery | SEP 2 – SEP 30 |
| Muzzleloader | SEP 12 – SEP 20 | |
| Rifle | SEP 2 – SEP 30 (Sept.); OCT 14 – OCT 18 (1st (concurrent)); OCT 24 – NOV 1 (2nd (concurrent)); NOV 7 – NOV 15 (3rd (concurrent)); NOV 18 – NOV 22 (4th (concurrent)) |
The rules that catch people out
Colorado voters banned the two most common bear-hunting methods used elsewhere:
- No baiting. You may not use bait to attract or take a bear.
- No hounds. Hunting bears with dogs is prohibited.
That makes Colorado bear a spot-and-stalk or opportunistic hunt, most often taken by hunters already in the field for elk. Always confirm the current rules against the CPW 2026 Big Game Brochure.
The seasons
- Archery — September 2–30, alongside archery elk and deer.
- Muzzleloader — September 12–20.
- September rifle — a separate 28-day rifle bear season, September 2–30.
- Concurrent rifle — bear can also be taken during each of the four deer/elk rifle seasons in October and November, which is how most incidental bear harvest happens.
Tags
Bear licenses are available over the counter in many units in the fall, which is part of why bear is a popular add-on to an elk hunt. Some units are limited (draw); check yours before you count on an OTC tag.
Common questions
When is bear season in Colorado in 2026?
Archery bear and a separate September rifle season both run September 2–30, 2026, with muzzleloader September 12–20. Bear can also be taken concurrently during the four October–November rifle seasons.
Can you bait bears or use dogs in Colorado?
No. Colorado prohibits both baiting bears and hunting them with dogs. Bear hunting here is spot-and-stalk, and many hunters take bears incidentally while hunting elk.
Do you need to draw a bear tag in Colorado?
Not always — bear licenses are over the counter in many units in the fall, though some units are limited (draw). Check your unit before relying on an OTC tag.
Primary sources
- CPW 2025–2029 Big Game Season Structure (official rule PDF) verified Jul. 2026
- CPW 2026 Colorado Big Game Hunting Brochure the canonical annual publication
- CPW — Bear hunting verified Jul. 2026