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Legal weapons & calibers
For most Colorado big game, a legal centerfire rifle is at least .24 caliber, firing an expanding bullet of at least 70 grains (85 grains for elk and moose) rated at 1,000 foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards; muzzleloaders need at least .50 caliber for elk and moose; and bows need at least a 35-pound draw weight with a 7/8-inch, two-edge broadhead. Semiautomatic rifles are capped at six rounds total between magazine and chamber. These come from the Code of Colorado Regulations' manner-of-take rule, not the brochure alone — see the tables below for the full breakdown. 2 CCR 406-2 §203 · Manner of Take
Colorado's equipment rules for big game sit in the regulations chapter of the Code of Colorado Regulations — specifically 2 CCR 406-2 §203, Manner of Take — not just the brochure. The brochure restates these numbers every season, so it's the fastest place to double-check them, but the regulation is the actual law. Get any of it wrong and you risk an illegal harvest, not just a fine.
Centerfire rifles and handguns
| Weapon | Minimum caliber | Bullet weight | Minimum energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centerfire rifle — most big game | .24 cal. | 70 gr. | 1,000 ft-lb @ 100 yd |
| Centerfire rifle — elk & moose | .24 cal. | 85 gr. | 1,000 ft-lb @ 100 yd |
| Handgun (4 in. barrel min.) | .24 cal. | expanding bullet | 550 ft-lb @ 50 yd |
The energy figure is the manufacturer's rated impact energy at the stated distance, not something you measure yourself — factory ammunition boxes and load data list it. Practically, this rules out true varmint calibers (like .223) for big game and sets a real floor on bullet construction, not just bore diameter. 2 CCR 406-2 §203
Muzzleloaders
Elk and moose require at least .50 caliber with a conical bullet or .54 caliber with a round ball. Bullet weight scales with caliber:
| Muzzleloader caliber | Minimum bullet weight |
|---|---|
| .40 – .50 caliber | 170 gr. |
| Over .50 caliber | 210 gr. |
Equipment restrictions matter as much as caliber: pelletized powder and smokeless powder are prohibited, sabots are prohibited, breech-loading muzzleloaders are prohibited, and sights are limited to open or "iron" sights — no electronic or battery-powered optics. 2 CCR 406-2 §203 The muzzleloader seasons page covers the dates this equipment applies to.
Archery equipment
| Equipment | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bow (compound, recurve, longbow) | 35 lb draw weight |
| Broadhead | 7/8 in. width, 2+ steel cutting edges |
| Crossbow (disability permit only, archery season) | 125 lb draw · 14 in. draw length · 16 in. bolt |
Crossbows are not legal during archery-only seasons for most hunters — they're treated as a firearm-season weapon. The exception is CPW's ADA-qualified disability accommodation permit, which allows a crossbow meeting the specs above during archery season for hunters with a qualifying documented disability. CPW · Hunters with Disabilities Outside archery-only seasons (i.e., during rifle season), any hunter can use a crossbow that otherwise meets the state's crossbow specs.
Confirm before you hunt
The Commission can amend manner-of-take rules, and species-specific carve-outs (mountain lion, for instance, allows lighter rifle and handgun loads than other big game) exist outside the numbers above. Cross-check your exact species and method against the current Big Game Brochure before opening day — it's free, and it's the document a wildlife officer will be working from. See also the blaze-orange rule and archery seasons for how equipment interacts with season dates and clothing requirements.
Common questions
What's the minimum legal rifle caliber for elk in Colorado?
A centerfire rifle at least .24 caliber, firing an expanding bullet of at least 85 grains, rated at a minimum of 1,000 foot-pounds of energy at 100 yards. That 85-grain bullet-weight floor is higher than the 70-grain minimum for deer, pronghorn, and bear.
How many rounds can a hunting rifle magazine hold in Colorado?
For a semiautomatic rifle, no more than six rounds total between the magazine and the chamber. There's no magazine-capacity limit stated for bolt-action, lever-action, or other non-semiautomatic rifles under this rule.
What's the minimum draw weight to bowhunt in Colorado?
35 pounds for a compound, recurve, or longbow, with a broadhead at least 7/8 of an inch wide carrying two or more steel cutting edges. A qualifying crossbow requires at least a 125-pound draw weight.
Can I use a crossbow during archery season in Colorado?
Only with an ADA-qualified disability accommodation permit from CPW. Without one, crossbows are treated as rifle-season equipment — legal during rifle seasons for any hunter, but not during archery-only seasons.
Primary sources
- Code of Colorado Regulations — 2 CCR 406-2 §203, Manner of Take verified Jul. 2026
- CPW — Colorado Big Game Brochure verified Jul. 2026
- CPW — Hunters with Disabilities (crossbow accommodation) verified Jul. 2026