Colorado Mule Deer Draw Odds With Two Points 2027

Important: Colorado's New Draw System Does Not Start Until 2028

Colorado has approved major changes to its:

Deer Draw System.

But those changes begin:

In 2028.

For:

2027,

Colorado still uses the current:

Preference-Point System.

Do not apply:

2028 Bonus-Point Rules

to:

2027 Deer Applications.

How Colorado Deer Preference Points Work in 2027

In Colorado's primary draw, limited licenses are generally awarded to applicants with:

The Most Preference Points

for the applicable:

First-Choice Hunt Code

subject to:

License Quotas

Resident/Nonresident Allocation

and:

Applicable Draw Rules.

If you're entering 2027 with:

Two Deer Preference Points,

your first choice is evaluated at:

Two Points.

Do Two Points Guarantee a Mule Deer Tag?

No.

Two points don't guarantee:

Any Specific Colorado Mule Deer Hunt.

If a hunt has more:

Higher-Point Applicants

than:

Available Licenses,

a two-point hunter may never be reached.

If the drawing reaches:

Two Points

but there aren't enough licenses for every two-point applicant:

Some Two-Point Hunters Can Draw While Others Do Not.

How Colorado Prioritizes Applicants

For most deer licenses in the:

2027 Primary Draw,

higher preference-point totals receive:

Priority.

Example:

If a hunt has applicants with:

5 Points

4 Points

3 Points

2 Points

and:

1 Point,

licenses are generally distributed beginning with:

The Highest-Point Applicants

and moving downward until:

The Applicable Quota Is Filled.

What Does "Drawn Out At 2 Points" Mean?

Colorado publishes:

Drawn Out At Reports.

These show the last:

Point/Choice Level

where a license was issued for:

A Specific Hunt Code

and separate information by:

Residency + Application Type.

If a hunt says:

Drawn Out At 2 Points,

that does not automatically mean:

Every Applicant With Two Points Drew.

The drawing may have:

Partially Cleared The Two-Point Level.

Better Way to Describe the Cutoff

Instead of saying:

"This Hunt Takes Two Points,"

look at the:

Full Draw Recap.

For example:

3 Points — 100% Successful

2 Points — Partial Success

1 Point — No First-Choice Licenses

would be better described as:

The Hunt Fully Cleared Three points and drew out within the two-point applicant pool.

That's more accurate than:

"Two Points Guarantees It."

Actual 2027 Odds Don't Exist Yet

Before the:

2027 Primary Draw,

nobody knows:

How Many Hunters Will Apply

at:

Each Preference-Point Level.

Final license quotas can also:

Change.

Therefore:

2026 Draw Odds Are Historical Planning Data

—not:

Actual 2027 Odds.

Use Multiple Years of Draw Data

For a serious two-point strategy, compare:

2024

2025

and:

2026.

Look for:

Stable Hunts

Increasing Demand

Decreasing Demand

Quota Changes

and:

Point Creep.

Colorado Publishes Detailed Deer Draw Statistics

Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes:

Draw Recap Reports

and:

Drawn Out At Reports.

The Draw Recap shows:

Applications By Hunt Code

Preference-Point Level

License Availability

and:

Post-Draw Results.

Use those reports rather than relying on:

A Generic Unit Percentage.

Hunt Code Matters More Than GMU

Don't say:

"Unit 75 Takes Two Points."

That's too broad.

Unit 75 can have different mule deer hunts for:

Archery

Muzzleloader

First Rifle

Second Rifle

Third Rifle

Fourth Rifle

and:

Doe Licenses

depending on the current structure.

Each can have:

Different Draw Demand.

Understanding Colorado Hunt Codes

A Colorado deer hunt code contains information about:

Species

Sex

GMU/Group

Season

and:

Method Of Take.

For example:

DM

generally identifies:

Deer — Male.

But always research:

The Full Hunt Code.

Don't Analyze Only the Parent GMU

Some Colorado hunt codes are valid in:

Multiple GMUs.

For example, a hunt code associated with one primary GMU may also be valid in:

Neighboring Units.

The hunt code—not simply the unit number—is what you:

Apply For.

Archery Mule Deer

Colorado offers:

Limited Archery Deer Licenses

through the draw.

Archery can provide:

Different Point Requirements

from rifle or muzzleloader hunts.

Don't assume:

Archery = Easier To Draw.

Check:

The Exact Hunt Code.

Muzzleloader Mule Deer

Colorado's:

September Muzzleloader Season

can provide mule deer opportunity during:

Early Fall Conditions.

Some muzzleloader hunts may fall within:

Two-Point Territory Historically.

Others can require:

Significantly More.

Again:

Hunt Code First.

Second Rifle Mule Deer

Colorado's:

Second Rifle Season

offers a large number of limited mule deer hunts.

For a hunter with:

Two Points,

this should be one of the major categories to research.

Depending on:

GMU + Residency + Quota + Demand,

some second-rifle hunts may historically fall:

At

Below

or:

Above

two points.

Third Rifle Mule Deer

Third rifle can attract:

Different Demand

because of:

Later Dates

Weather Potential

and:

Changing Deer Movement.

Historically, some third-rifle hunts can require:

More Points

than second rifle in the same general area.

But:

That Is Not Universal.

Check the:

Exact Hunt.

Fourth Rifle Mule Deer

Fourth rifle occurs:

Later In November

and has:

Limited Availability.

Late-season timing can increase:

Hunter Demand

for certain hunts.

Don't assume:

Two Points Will Be Enough

just because the unit offers:

A Fourth-Rifle License.

Early Rifle Hunts

Some Colorado mule deer units also offer:

Early Rifle Hunts.

These can have:

Small Quotas

and:

High Demand.

A low quota can push the:

Point Requirement Up Quickly.

Plains Mule Deer

Colorado also offers:

Plains Deer Hunts.

These can operate under:

Different Season Structures

from western Colorado mountain mule deer hunts.

Some Plains hunts include:

Long or Split Seasons.

But public access can be:

A Major Consideration.

Public Land vs Private Land

Colorado limited licenses can include:

Public-Land Valid Licenses

and:

Private-Land-Only Licenses.

Don't choose a hunt solely because:

The Draw Odds Look Easy.

A private-land-only license is useful only if you have:

Legal Private Access.

Easy Odds Can Signal an Access Issue

If a hunt has:

Very Low Point Demand,

ask:

Why?

Potential reasons include:

Private-Land Dominance

Limited Public Access

Lower Deer Density

Season Timing

Terrain

or:

Hunter Preference.

Easy draw odds don't automatically mean:

Great Hunting Opportunity.

Two-Point Strategy #1 — Find Hunts That Fully Cleared Two Points

Start with hunts where:

All Two-Point Applicants Historically Drew.

Then compare:

2024 + 2025 + 2026.

If the hunt repeatedly clears:

Two Points

with room remaining, it may be:

A More Stable Two-Point Candidate.

But:

Nothing Is Guaranteed For 2027.

Strategy #2 — Find Hunts That Partially Drew at Two

These can be:

Borderline Hunts.

If 2026 drew out within:

Two Points,

research:

Quota Trends

and:

Applicant Trends.

A small change can push the hunt:

Above

or:

Below

your point level.

Strategy #3 — Identify One-Point Hunts

A hunter with:

Two Points

doesn't need to spend them on:

The Most Expensive Hunt They Can Barely Draw.

Some historically lower-point hunts may provide:

Better Access

Better Terrain For Your Hunting Style

or:

A More Predictable Draw.

Points are:

A Tool

—not:

A Trophy Score.

Strategy #4 — Consider a Reach Hunt

You can apply for a hunt that historically required:

More Than Two Points.

If unsuccessful on:

First Choice,

you can potentially:

Earn Another Preference Point

for the following year.

But don't confuse this with:

Wyoming's Random Draw.

Colorado's standard 2027 deer preference system is:

Not A 75/25 Preference-Random System.

Colorado Is Different From Wyoming

In Wyoming:

A Lower-Point Hunter Can Enter A Dedicated Random Portion.

Colorado's normal 2027 deer preference-point drawing doesn't work that way.

Higher-point applicants receive:

Priority

until:

The Quota Is Filled

except for applicable special mechanisms such as:

The Hybrid Draw.

Colorado Hybrid Draw

Colorado currently has a:

Hybrid Draw

for certain:

High-Demand Deer, Elk, Pronghorn and Bear Hunt Codes.

This provides a limited random opportunity for:

Qualifying Applicants.

Does Two Points Qualify for the Hybrid Draw?

Under the current system:

No.

To participate in the hybrid draw for an eligible hunt, an applicant needs:

At Least Five Preference Points

for the species.

So a hunter with:

Two Deer Points

should not build their 2027 strategy around:

Hybrid Draw Opportunity.

Hybrid Draw Ends After 2027

The hybrid draw remains part of:

The 2027 System

but is scheduled to be eliminated when Colorado's redesigned draw begins:

In 2028.

First Choice Is What Uses Your Points

Your Colorado deer preference points matter for:

Your First Choice

in the primary draw.

If you successfully draw your:

First-Choice Deer License,

your deer preference points:

Reset To Zero.

What if You Don't Draw First Choice?

If you're unsuccessful on:

Your First Choice

and otherwise qualify:

You Earn A Preference Point.

So a hunter entering with:

Two Points

could leave the 2027 primary draw with:

Three Points

if unsuccessful on the first choice.

What About Second Choice?

Preference points are not used for:

Second Choice.

A license must survive:

All First-Choice Demand

before it can reach:

Second-Choice Applicants.

Can You Hunt and Keep Your Points?

Yes, potentially.

If you fail to draw:

First Choice

but receive:

Second

Third

or:

Fourth Choice,

your existing points aren't consumed by that later-choice license.

You can also earn the year's point for:

Failing To Draw First Choice

if you otherwise qualify.

This Creates a Hunt + Build Strategy

Example:

First choice:

A Hunt Above Your Current Point Level.

Second choice:

A Hunt That Historically Reaches Second Choice.

If the strategy works:

You Don't Draw First Choice

You Earn Another Point

and:

You Still Receive A Deer License.

But this works only when:

The Second-Choice Hunt Actually Has Licenses Remaining.

Don't Put a Popular Hunt Second

If a hunt consistently:

Sells Out To First-Choice Applicants,

putting it:

Second

doesn't create:

Another Chance.

Research:

Choice-Level Draw Results.

Third and Fourth Choices

Colorado applications allow:

Up To Four Hunt-Code Choices

in the primary draw.

Licenses are considered:

Choice By Choice.

Later choices only matter if:

Licenses Survive Earlier Choices.

Group Applications

Colorado allows:

Group Applications

for deer.

This can help hunters:

Draw The Same Hunt Together.

But there is a major point rule.

Group Uses the Lowest Point Total

Colorado doesn't:

Average Group Points.

The group enters the drawing at the:

Lowest Preference-Point Total Held By Any Group Member.

Example:

Hunter A:

6 Points

Hunter B:

4 Points

Hunter C:

2 Points

The group enters at:

2 Points.

Don't Confuse Colorado With Wyoming

Wyoming averages:

Party Preference Points.

Colorado uses:

The Lowest Member's Point Total.

That's a major difference.

Group Needs Enough Licenses

If the group is selected:

Enough Licenses Must Remain For The Entire Group.

If there aren't enough licenses:

The Group Can Be Passed Over.

Mixed Resident/Nonresident Groups

Colorado also applies:

Nonresident Allocation Rules

to mixed groups.

If awarding the group would exceed:

The Applicable Nonresident Cap,

the group can be:

Passed Over.

Resident vs Nonresident Odds

Don't publish one:

Colorado Mule Deer Draw Odd

for everyone.

Residents and nonresidents can have:

Different Outcomes

because of:

Nonresident License Allocation Limits.

Always separate:

Resident

and:

Nonresident

historical results.

Nonresident Allocation

Under Colorado's current structure, many deer hunt codes have:

Nonresident License Caps.

The applicable percentage can depend on:

Historical Resident Preference-Point Demand

and:

Current Allocation Rules.

For 2027 planning:

Use The Final 2027 Brochure + Hunt-Specific Draw Data.

Don't Convert Resident Points to Nonresident Points

If a hunt historically drew at:

Two Points For Residents

that does not automatically mean:

Two Points For Nonresidents.

Use:

Residency-Specific Reports.

Colorado Deer Preference Points Have No Point Fee

Colorado currently does not charge a:

Preference-Point Fee

for:

Deer.

That's different from:

Moose

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

and:

Mountain Goat.

You still need to satisfy:

Application + License Requirements.

Preference Point Only

If you don't want to compete for a deer license:

You Can Use The Deer Preference-Point-Only Hunt Code

as your:

First Choice.

That allows you to:

Build Another Deer Point

without trying to draw a first-choice deer hunt.

Should a Two-Point Hunter Apply Point Only?

It depends on:

Your Goals.

If you can't hunt in:

2027,

point-only can make sense.

If you can hunt:

Don't Automatically Buy Another Point Without Researching Your Current Opportunities.

Two points may already put you within range of:

Multiple Hunt Codes.

Secondary Draw

Colorado also conducts:

A Secondary Draw.

Preference points are:

Not Used

in the secondary draw.

Youth Get Priority in Secondary Draw

Under current rules:

Youth Hunters Ages 12–17

receive:

100% Preference

in the secondary draw before:

Adult Applicants.

This is separate from:

Preference Points.

Drawing Secondary Doesn't Use Your Points

If you obtain a deer license through:

The Secondary Draw,

your existing deer preference points are:

Not Used.

Leftover Licenses

After the:

Primary + Secondary Draws,

remaining limited licenses can become:

Leftover Licenses.

Buying a leftover license:

Does Not Use Your Preference Points.

Reissued Licenses

Returned limited licenses can also become:

Reissued Licenses.

Colorado has specific reissue rules through:

2027.

Don't combine:

Primary Draw

Secondary Draw

Leftover

and:

Reissue

odds into:

One Percentage.

2028 Changes Don't Apply Yet

This deserves repeating.

Colorado's new deer draw system begins:

2028.

For 2027:

Use The Existing Preference-Point Rules.

Do not tell hunters that:

50% Of 2027 Deer Tags Are Random.

That would be:

Wrong.

What Changes in 2028?

Colorado has approved a redesigned system beginning:

2028

that introduces:

Preference + Bonus Draw Components

for applicable species.

That future system should be discussed in:

A Separate 2028 Article.

2027 Is Strategically Important

For hunters with:

Two Points,

2027 is the final year before:

Colorado's Major Draw Redesign.

That makes it especially important to evaluate:

Whether To Use Your Points Under The Current System

or:

Carry Them Into The New System.

That is a personal application decision based on:

Your Hunt Goals + Current Opportunities.

Two Points Doesn't Mean You Should Spend Them

Don't apply for:

Any Two-Point Hunt

simply because:

You Can Draw It.

Evaluate:

Season Dates

Public Access

Terrain

Deer Population

Migration

Hunter Pressure

and:

Your Hunting Style.

Points Measure Demand

Preference points primarily tell you:

How Much Applicant Demand Exists Relative To Licenses.

They do not directly measure:

Buck Size.

Two Points ≠ 180-Inch Mule Deer

A hunt requiring:

Two Points

can potentially produce:

A Great Buck.

A hunt requiring:

Ten Points

can still result in:

A Difficult Hunt.

Point requirement isn't:

A Trophy Guarantee.

Winter Conditions Matter

Colorado mule deer populations can be strongly influenced by:

Winter Severity.

Before applying, research:

Current Herd Conditions

rather than relying entirely on:

Historical Draw Demand.

Quota Changes Matter

Suppose a hunt offered:

500 Licenses in 2026

but:

300 in 2027.

Even if applicant demand stays similar:

The Point Requirement Could Increase.

Always compare:

Current Quota vs Historical Quota.

Season Dates Matter

A hunt moving:

Earlier

or:

Later

can alter:

Applicant Demand

and:

Deer Behavior.

Don't assume:

The Same Hunt Code Has The Same Value Every Year.

Public Access Matters

Before spending:

Two Preference Points,

research:

National Forest

BLM

State Wildlife Areas

State Trust Land Where Open

and:

Private Property.

A hunt's draw odds don't tell you:

Whether You Can Reach The Deer.

Unit 75 Example

TAGZ Unit 75 currently shows multiple mule deer opportunities including:

Archery

Muzzleloader

First Rifle

and:

Second Rifle

hunt structures.

That illustrates why:

Unit-Level Draw Odds Alone Are Inadequate.

The correct analysis is:

Hunt-Code Specific.

Units 80 and 81 Example

TAGZ Unit 81 currently shows mule deer hunts tied to the Unit 80 hunt structure including:

Archery

Muzzleloader

Second Rifle

Third Rifle

and:

Fourth Rifle.

One geographic area can therefore provide:

Multiple Completely Different Draw Opportunities.

Units 25 and 26 Example

TAGZ Unit 26 currently includes mule deer hunts associated with:

Units 25 + 26

as well as an:

Early Rifle Hunt

covering multiple units.

Again:

Exact Hunt Code Matters More Than Simply Saying "Unit 26."

How TAGZ Should Display Two-Point Colorado Deer Hunts

For each hunt code, show:

GMU/Valid Units

Weapon

Season

Residency

Quota

First-Choice Applicants

Applicant Point Distribution

Last Point Level Fully Drawn

Partial Point Level

Second-Choice Availability

and:

Multi-Year Trend.

Create Three Two-Point Categories

A useful TAGZ 2027 tool could classify hunts as:

Historically Below Two Points

Historically Around Two Points

and:

Historically Above Two Points.

But those categories must be:

Historical Planning Categories

—not:

Guaranteed 2027 Results.

Don't Rank Units Only by Points

A better hunt-selection model should also consider:

Public Access

Terrain

Season Timing

Historical Harvest

Population Trend

and:

Hunter Pressure.

Points tell only:

Part Of The Story.

Draw Odds vs Harvest Success

These are:

Different Metrics.

Draw Odds

Measure:

How Difficult The License Is To Obtain.

Harvest Success

Measures:

What Happens After Hunters Draw.

A hunt can have:

Easy Draw Odds + Low Harvest Success.

Another can have:

Hard Draw Odds + High Harvest Success.

Don't combine them.

Draw Odds vs Trophy Potential

Likewise:

High Point Requirement ≠ Bigger Bucks Guaranteed.

Demand can be influenced by:

Reputation

Season Dates

Access

Location

and:

Hunter Behavior.

Trophy potential depends on:

Actual Deer + Habitat + Age Structure + Conditions.

Applying With Two Points — Conservative Strategy

A conservative approach focuses on hunts that:

Repeatedly Fully Cleared Two Points Or Less.

This provides:

More Historical Margin.

But:

2027 Is Still Not Guaranteed.

Applying With Two Points — Borderline Strategy

A borderline strategy targets hunts that:

Historically Drew Out At Two Points.

These hunts require closer analysis of:

Applicant Trends + Quotas.

Applying With Two Points — Reach Strategy

A reach strategy puts:

A More Difficult Hunt

as first choice.

If unsuccessful:

You Can Earn Another Point

and potentially use:

A Later Choice

for a hunt that survives first-choice demand.

Which Strategy Is Best?

There isn't one answer for:

Every Hunter.

The correct approach depends on whether your priority is:

Drawing In 2027

Building Points

Hunting A Specific Unit

Hunting A Specific Season

or:

Waiting For A Higher-Demand Opportunity.

2027 Application Timing

Colorado's primary draw deadline traditionally occurs:

In Early April.

Use the final:

2027 Colorado Big Game Brochure

for:

Exact Opening Date + Deadline + Time.

Do not rely on:

A Previous Year's Deadline.

Does Applying Early Improve Draw Odds?

No.

Submitting early doesn't give you:

Extra Preference.

As long as your valid application is submitted:

Before The Deadline,

draw priority comes from:

The Applicable Draw Rules

—not:

Submission Time.

Check Your CPW Account Before Applying

Before submitting:

Verify Your Preference-Point Total.

Make sure:

Your Customer Information Is Correct.

Then confirm:

The Exact Hunt Code.

One incorrect character can mean:

A Completely Different Application.

Don't Guess Hunt Codes

Use:

The Official 2027 Colorado Big Game Brochure

when submitting.

TAGZ can help:

Research + Compare Hunts.

CPW remains the:

Authoritative Source For Final Regulations + Application Codes.

Can you draw Colorado mule deer with two points in 2027?

Yes. Multiple Colorado mule deer hunts may be within reach of a two-point applicant, but the exact outcome depends on hunt code, residency, quota and 2027 applicant demand.

Does Colorado use preference points for deer in 2027?

Yes. Colorado's current deer preference-point system remains in place for the 2027 primary draw.

Does Colorado switch to a 50/50 draw in 2027?

No. Colorado's redesigned preference-and-bonus draw begins in 2028.

Are two points guaranteed to draw?

No. A hunt can draw out within the two-point applicant pool, meaning some two-point hunters draw while others don't.

Does drawing my first choice use my points?

Yes. If you successfully draw your first-choice deer license in the primary draw, your deer preference points reset to zero.

Can I hunt and keep my points?

Potentially. If you're unsuccessful on first choice but obtain a later-choice, secondary or leftover license, you can potentially hunt without using your accumulated deer preference points.

Does Colorado average group points?

No. Colorado uses the lowest preference-point total held by any member of the group.

Can two points enter the hybrid draw?

No. Under the current hybrid system, applicants need at least five preference points to qualify for the applicable hybrid drawing.

Are preference points used in the secondary draw?

No.

Are preference points used for leftover licenses?

No.

FAQ — Colorado Mule Deer Draw Odds With Two Points 2027

What units can I draw with two points?

There isn't a permanent list because Colorado draws licenses by hunt code and demand changes annually. Use completed 2026 results as the newest baseline, then compare 2025 and 2024.

Should I focus on second rifle?

Second rifle provides numerous mule deer hunt codes and is worth researching, but two points can also be relevant to archery, muzzleloader, third-rifle and other hunts.

Is third rifle harder to draw?

Sometimes, but not universally. Compare the exact second- and third-rifle hunt codes rather than assuming the later season always requires more points.

Should I spend my two points in 2027?

That depends on your hunting goals. 2027 is the final year under Colorado's existing deer preference-point structure before the redesigned draw begins in 2028.

Can nonresidents draw with two points?

Yes, depending on the hunt. Nonresident applicants must use residency-specific historical results because allocation caps can produce different outcomes from residents.

Can I apply with someone who has fewer points?

Yes, but the group enters the drawing using the lowest preference-point total held by any member.

Can I put a difficult hunt first and an easy hunt second?

Yes, but the second-choice hunt must have licenses remaining after all first-choice demand before your second choice can be considered.

Do I get another point if I miss first choice?

Under the current deer system, a properly qualified applicant who doesn't draw the first-choice limited deer license can earn a preference point.

Do leftover tags use my points?

No.

Are actual 2027 odds available?

No. Actual odds depend on final 2027 quotas and the hunters who apply in 2027.

Final Colorado Two-Point Mule Deer Strategy for 2027

If you're entering:

2027 With Two Colorado Deer Preference Points,

start with:

The Exact Hunt Code.

Not:

Just The Unit.

Compare:

2024 + 2025 + 2026 Draw Recaps.

Identify hunts that:

Fully Cleared Two Points

Partially Cleared Two Points

and:

Required More Than Two Points.

Then compare:

Resident vs Nonresident Results.

Review:

2027 Quotas.

Research:

Public Access.

Compare:

Archery

Muzzleloader

Second Rifle

Third Rifle

and:

Fourth Rifle

where offered.

If you want to hunt in:

2027,

look for hunts with:

Historical Margin Below Your Point Total.

If you want to:

Build Another Point,

consider a reach first choice and a:

Legitimate Later-Choice Opportunity.

And remember:

2027 Is Still The Existing Colorado Preference-Point System.

The major:

50/50 Preference + Bonus Draw Redesign

begins:

In 2028.

Use TAGZ to research Colorado mule deer draw odds and application strategy.

Browse TAGZ Colorado Game Units.

Explore hunting and draw research through TAGZ Insights.

See how TAGZ works through TAGZ Product.

Learn about the hunters, guides and outfitters behind TAGZ through About TAGZ.

For authoritative historical deer results, use Colorado Parks and Wildlife Deer Statistics.

For current primary-draw rules, use Colorado Parks and Wildlife Primary Draw.

For final seasons, quotas and hunt codes, use the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife Big Game resources.

Historical draw results are planning tools—not guarantees. Colorado's 2027 quotas, applicant totals, hunt codes and resulting draw odds can change before the primary draw.