Colorado Preference Point Strategy 2027: When to Use Your Points

Colorado Preference Point Strategy 2027: When to Use Your Points

Colorado preference points can take years to build and seconds to use.

For hunters planning a Colorado elk, mule deer, pronghorn or bear application in 2027, one of the biggest questions isn't simply:

How many preference points do I have?

It's:

Should I use them in 2027—or keep building?

That question matters even more because Colorado is approaching a major change to its big-game draw system.

Under current Colorado Parks and Wildlife rules, 2027 is scheduled to be the final year of the existing preference-point structure for applicable deer, elk, pronghorn and bear licenses before Colorado's new split preference/bonus draw begins in 2028.

That doesn't mean every hunter should burn their points in 2027.

But it does mean hunters should understand what their points actually do, what they're waiting for and how the 2028 changes could affect their strategy.

This guide explains how Colorado preference points work in 2027, when using them may make sense, when continuing to build may be smarter, how point creep affects your strategy and what the 2028 changes mean for your existing points.

Quick Answer: Should You Use Your Colorado Preference Points in 2027?

It depends on your hunting goals.

Consider using your points in 2027 if:

• You can realistically draw a hunt you genuinely want

Consider continuing to build if:

• Your target hunt remains several points beyond your current position

The right decision isn't automatically:

Use your points before 2028.

And it isn't automatically:

Keep saving until you have enough for a famous unit.

The better question is:

What hunting opportunity are those points actually buying you?

How Colorado Preference Points Work in 2027

Under Colorado's current system, preference points help determine priority for applicable limited licenses in the primary draw.

Applicants with more preference points receive priority over applicants with fewer points, subject to applicable license quotas, residency allocations and other draw rules.

For deer, elk, pronghorn and bear, preference points are primarily connected to your first-choice application in the primary draw.

If you successfully draw your first-choice license, your accumulated preference points for that species are reset to zero.

If you don't draw your first-choice license and otherwise qualify, you can receive another preference point.

Preference Points Are Species-Specific

Colorado preference points aren't attached to a specific unit, season or weapon.

For example, your Colorado elk preference points are:

Elk Preference Points

They aren't:

Unit 10 Rifle Elk Points

or:

Unit 61 Archery Elk Points.

The same concept applies to deer, pronghorn and bear.

Your point balance belongs to the species.

That gives hunters flexibility when deciding where to eventually use those points.

You Can't Split or Bank Your Points

Colorado doesn't allow you to use only part of your point balance.

Suppose you have:

8 elk preference points

and draw a first-choice elk license that historically required:

3 points.

You don't keep the remaining five.

Your elk preference-point balance resets to:

Zero.

That's why choosing when to use points matters.

How Do You Earn a Colorado Preference Point?

Under the current system, hunters can generally earn a preference point by:

• Applying for the species-specific preference-point hunt code as their first choice in the primary draw, or

Colorado's current preference-point-only hunt code is:

P-999-99-P

Hunters should verify the applicable 2027 code in the final 2027 Colorado Big Game brochure before applying.

Can You Apply for a Point and Still Hunt?

Potentially, yes.

Under the current system, you can place the preference-point code as your first choice and list actual hunt codes as your:

Second, third or fourth choices.

If one of those later choices is available when your application is processed, you can potentially draw it without using your accumulated preference points.

This can be an effective strategy for hunters who want to:

Build points + Still have a chance to hunt.

But it only works if the hunt you're targeting actually reaches the applicable later choice.

A hunt that consistently fills at first choice isn't going to become available simply because you listed it second.

Second, Third and Fourth Choices Don't Use Your Points

Under the current Colorado system, drawing a license as your:

Second, third or fourth choice

doesn't use your accumulated preference points.

Those points also aren't generated by later choices.

This creates one of the most useful strategies in Colorado:

Build points with your first choice while hunting opportunities that historically reach later choices.

The Secondary Draw Doesn't Use Preference Points

Colorado's secondary draw is separate from the preference-point system.

Preference points are:

Not used

and:

Not awarded

in the secondary draw.

That means a hunter can potentially participate in the secondary draw without sacrificing an existing preference-point balance.

Youth hunters currently receive priority in the secondary draw, so adult hunters should account for that when evaluating historical secondary-draw availability.

Leftover and OTC Licenses Don't Use Preference Points

Colorado preference points aren't used for:

• Leftover limited licenses

That creates another important strategy:

You don't necessarily have to choose between building points and hunting Colorado.

Depending on the species, season and available opportunities, you may be able to keep your points while hunting through another license pathway.

What Does It Mean to "Burn" Colorado Preference Points?

Hunters often say they're going to:

Burn their points.

That simply means drawing a first-choice license that causes their accumulated preference points for that species to reset.

The term can sometimes make hunters overly protective of their points.

Remember:

Preference points aren't the goal.

The hunt is the goal.

A 10-point balance sitting in your account doesn't provide any hunting experience until you eventually use it.

When Should You Use Your Colorado Preference Points?

There isn't one universal answer, but several situations make using points particularly reasonable.

1. You Can Draw a Hunt You Actually Want

This should be the most important factor.

If your current point total can realistically draw a hunt that fits your goals, ask yourself:

What am I waiting for?

Don't automatically continue building simply because you can.

More points don't automatically equal a better hunt.

2. You're Already Above the Historical Requirement

Suppose a hunt has historically drawn around:

4–5 points

and you have:

8.

Continuing to build may not provide much additional value unless you're intentionally targeting a different hunt.

This is where hunters can become trapped by the psychology of accumulated points.

They've spent so long building them that using them starts to feel like losing something.

But the purpose of the points was to help you hunt.

3. Point Creep Is Catching You

One of the biggest frustrations in Colorado is:

Point creep.

Imagine a hunt historically required:

5 points.

You have:

4.

The next year it takes:

6.

You now have:

5.

Then it moves to:

7.

You're accumulating points but never actually closing the gap.

That's point creep.

If your target keeps moving away from you, it may be worth reevaluating whether continuing to chase it makes sense.

4. You're Ready to Hunt Now

Your life matters as much as the draw spreadsheet.

Work schedules change.

Families grow.

Physical ability changes.

Travel costs change.

Hunting regulations change.

Units change.

Animal populations change.

Waiting another five or ten years isn't automatically better simply because you'll have more points.

If you're ready to hunt now and can draw a quality opportunity, that has real value.

5. You're Flexible About Units

Flexibility can dramatically improve your Colorado strategy.

Instead of asking:

"When can I draw Unit X?"

ask:

"What can I draw with my points that gives me the type of hunt I want?"

That opens the door to comparing:

• Different GMUs

You may find a hunt that fits your goals without spending another five years chasing a famous unit.

When Should You Keep Building Colorado Points?

Using points simply because you have them isn't good strategy either.

There are legitimate reasons to continue building.

You're Targeting a Specific Hunt

If you've researched a particular hunt and decided:

This is the experience I want

then continuing to build can make sense.

Just keep monitoring the historical requirement and point creep.

You're Still Several Points Short

If the hunt you genuinely want historically requires substantially more points than you currently have, burning your points on an opportunity you don't really want just because 2028 is approaching may not make sense.

You Can't Hunt in 2027

If work, family, finances or scheduling make a 2027 hunt unrealistic, building another point can be reasonable.

Drawing a highly desired license during a year when you can't properly hunt it defeats the purpose of building points.

You're Comfortable With the 2028 System

Your existing points aren't currently scheduled to disappear when Colorado changes its draw system in 2028.

Hunters shouldn't panic and burn points solely because:

"Colorado is getting rid of preference points."

That's not an accurate description of the approved change.

What's Changing in Colorado in 2028?

Beginning January 1, 2028, Colorado is scheduled to change the drawing structure for applicable deer, elk, pronghorn and bear licenses.

Instead of allocating the applicable quota entirely through the current preference-priority structure, Colorado will split the quota between:

A Preference Draw

and:

A Bonus Draw.

Under the approved structure:

50% of the applicable quota goes to the preference-point portion.

50% goes to the bonus portion.

If the quota can't be divided evenly, the extra license goes to the preference side.

If only one license is available, it goes through the preference draw.

What Happens to Your Existing Points in 2028?

Your existing preference points are expected to carry forward into the new system.

They aren't simply scheduled to vanish at the end of 2027.

That distinction is important.

You don't need to dump your points solely because the calendar reaches 2028.

How Will the 2028 Bonus Draw Work?

Under the approved structure, accumulated points will also create chances in the bonus portion of the draw.

The basic structure is:

1 base entry + 1 additional entry for each applicable point.

So a hunter with:

0 points

would have:

1 chance.

A hunter with:

5 points

would have:

6 chances.

A hunter with:

15 points

would have:

16 chances.

More points improve your opportunity in the bonus portion, but they don't guarantee selection.

2028 Isn't a Pure Random Draw

This is an important misconception to avoid.

Colorado isn't scheduled to become:

100% random

for applicable deer, elk, pronghorn and bear licenses in 2028.

Half of the applicable quota remains in a preference-based draw.

The other half moves into the bonus system.

High-point applicants therefore retain value from accumulated points, while lower-point applicants gain access to a random weighted opportunity for part of the quota.

Why 2027 Is Strategically Important

For many hunters, 2027 represents a decision point.

Under the current system, higher-point applicants retain traditional preference priority for applicable first-choice licenses.

Beginning in 2028, only part of the applicable quota will be distributed through that preference structure.

That doesn't mean everyone should use their points in 2027.

But hunters who are already competitive for a target hunt should carefully evaluate whether:

Using points under the current structure

or:

Carrying them into the new structure

better fits their goals.

Colorado Point Creep

Point creep occurs when the historical point requirement for a hunt increases over time.

For example:

YearHistorical Draw Level20244 points20255 points20266 points

If you're earning one point per year while the hunt requirement is also increasing by roughly one point per year, you aren't really getting closer.

That's why hunters should evaluate:

Point velocity

not simply:

Current point requirement.

Look at Multiple Years of Draw Data

Never build your strategy around one year of results.

Instead, compare several years.

Ask:

• Is the hunt stable?

A multi-year trend tells you much more than a single point threshold.

Don't Confuse Minimum Points With Guaranteed Future Points

If a hunt drew at:

5 points in 2026

that doesn't mean:

5 points guarantees the hunt in 2027.

Applicant demand and quotas can change.

Historical point levels describe previous drawings.

They don't guarantee future results.

Colorado Elk Preference Point Strategy 2027

Elk hunters should evaluate:

• Current point total

For a hunter with zero or one point, the strategy may be completely different from someone holding 10 or 20 points.

Don't use a generic:

"Best Colorado Elk Unit"

list to decide where to spend a decade of points.

Research opportunities from your actual position.

Colorado Mule Deer Preference Point Strategy 2027

Mule deer is another species where point creep can dramatically affect strategy.

A hunter holding:

5 deer points

shouldn't simply search:

"Best Colorado Mule Deer Units."

Instead, compare hunts that have historically drawn around:

3–6 points

and then evaluate:

• Season

That gives you a realistic group of opportunities rather than a list dominated by hunts far beyond your reach.

Colorado Pronghorn Preference Point Strategy 2027

Pronghorn draw difficulty can vary substantially by hunt code.

Access can also matter enormously.

A hunt with relatively favorable historical draw requirements may contain significant private land.

Don't spend points simply because the draw looks attractive.

Research the land situation before applying.

Colorado Bear Preference Point Strategy 2027

Bear also uses preference points for applicable limited licenses.

The same basic strategy applies:

Exact hunt code + Point level + Historical draw data + Season + Access

Don't assume the hardest bear license to draw is automatically the best hunting opportunity.

Group Applications and Preference Points

Under the current system, Colorado group applications use the preference-point total of the group member with the fewest points.

Suppose:

Hunter A — 8 points

Hunter B — 8 points

Hunter C — 3 points

The group applies at:

3 points.

Colorado doesn't average the group's points.

That's important when deciding whether to apply with friends.

A lower-point group member can significantly change the group's draw position.

Don't Waste High Points on a Hunt You Could Draw Later

Suppose you have:

10 points

and a hunt consistently reaches:

Second Choice.

Using that hunt as your first choice could unnecessarily reset your point balance.

Depending on your goals and the current rules, you may be able to:

Build a point first choice + List the hunt later.

But verify the historical choice-level demand carefully.

If the hunt begins filling first choice, that strategy can stop working.

A Simple 2027 Point Strategy by Point Level

These aren't universal rules, but they provide a useful framework.

0 Points

Focus on:

• Hunts historically available at zero

Don't assume zero points means zero opportunity.

1–2 Points

Look for hunts that historically draw around your level while continuing to evaluate whether building another year materially improves your options.

This is often where hunters can choose between:

Hunting relatively frequently

and:

Beginning a longer point-building strategy.

3–5 Points

This can be a valuable range because numerous hunt options may begin opening depending on species, residency, weapon and season.

Compare:

What you can hunt now

against:

What one or two additional points realistically unlock.

6–9 Points

At this level, point creep becomes particularly important.

Ask:

Am I actually approaching my target—or just following it upward?

If quality hunts are available now, seriously evaluate whether continued accumulation provides enough additional value to justify waiting.

10+ Points

High-point holders should have a specific plan.

Don't continue accumulating simply because you've already invested years.

Research:

• Exact target hunts

At this level, every additional year should have a reason.

20+ Points

If you're sitting on decades of Colorado points, your strategy should be highly specific.

You should know:

What hunt you're waiting for

and:

Why you're waiting for it.

If you can't answer those questions, it's worth reevaluating the strategy.

The Sunk-Cost Trap

One of the biggest mistakes in preference-point systems is thinking:

"I've already waited 12 years, so I can't use these points on anything less than the perfect hunt."

That can lead to another five or ten years of waiting.

Your previous years are already gone.

The decision should be based on:

What gives you the best hunting outcome from today forward?

Not:

How long you've already waited.

Trophy Reputation Isn't Everything

Some units require many points because they're famous.

Fame can come from:

• Historical trophy reputation

That doesn't mean a lower-point unit can't provide an excellent hunt.

If your goal is a quality hunting experience rather than simply drawing a famous unit number, you may have more options than you think.

Build a Hunt Portfolio, Not Just a Point Balance

A strong Western strategy can include three categories:

Hunt Now

Opportunities you can realistically draw or obtain with your current position.

Build Toward

Hunts you're intentionally accumulating points toward.

Long Shot

Random, hybrid or other low-probability opportunities you'd be excited to draw but don't depend on for your hunting season.

This approach can keep you hunting while still pursuing premium opportunities.

Colorado's Hybrid Draw Through 2027

Colorado's current system also includes a hybrid draw for certain highly demanded deer, elk, pronghorn and bear hunt codes.

The hybrid draw gives eligible applicants an additional random opportunity for certain licenses that otherwise require substantial preference.

However, eligibility rules apply, including individual point and application requirements.

Hunters interested in the hybrid draw should verify the official 2027 eligible hunt-code list and requirements in the final CPW regulations rather than relying on a previous year's list.

The hybrid draw is especially relevant for hunters who have accumulated points but remain far below the traditional requirement for a premium hunt.

Secondary Draw Strategy

The secondary draw can provide another way to hunt without using your preference points.

Under current rules:

• Preference points aren't used

Adult hunters should understand that youth priority can significantly affect which licenses remain available.

Still, the secondary draw can be worth monitoring every year.

Leftover and Reissued Licenses

Colorado also offers leftover and reissued licenses.

These can create opportunities outside the normal preference-point process.

Hunters should understand the specific reissue rules because certain returned first-choice licenses can have different point implications depending on how they're reissued and accepted.

Always check the current CPW reissue rules before accepting a highly desirable returned license.

Don't Ignore OTC Opportunities

For applicable species and hunt structures, over-the-counter hunting can be another way to hunt without spending points.

However, Colorado's OTC elk landscape has been changing, particularly for nonresidents.

Do not build a 2027 strategy around an old assumption that:

"I can always just buy the same OTC elk tag."

Verify the current 2027 OTC structure, available GMUs and residency rules.

A Better Question Than "How Many Points Does It Take?"

Instead of asking:

"How many points does Unit X take?"

ask:

"What did this exact hunt code require over the last several years, and where does my point total put me relative to current demand?"

That question accounts for:

• Weapon

That's much more useful than a generic unit-level point number.

Using TAGZ for Colorado Preference Point Strategy

Use TAGZ to compare Colorado hunting opportunities based on your actual application position.

Instead of starting with:

"What's the best Colorado elk unit?"

start with:

Species + Residency + Points + Weapon + Season

Then compare the opportunities that fit.

Use TAGZ Insights for additional Colorado draw guides and Western application strategy.

Explore the TAGZ Product for draw planning, point tracking, maps and hunt research.

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

TAGZ was built by hunters, guides and outfitters who have dealt with the same question Colorado hunters face every year:

Do I keep building—or is it time to hunt?

FAQ — Colorado Preference Points 2027

How do Colorado preference points work in 2027?

Under the current system, preference points provide priority for applicable first-choice licenses in the primary draw. Hunters with more points receive priority over hunters with fewer points, subject to applicable quotas, residency restrictions and draw rules.

When do Colorado preference points get used?

For the current system, accumulated points are used when you successfully draw a first-choice license in the primary draw.

What happens when I draw my first choice?

Your accumulated preference points for that species reset to zero.

Can I use only some of my Colorado preference points?

No. Colorado doesn't allow point banking. If you draw an applicable first-choice license, your accumulated points for that species are reset.

Can I draw a second choice without losing my points?

Under the current system, yes. Second-, third- and fourth-choice licenses don't use accumulated preference points.

Does the secondary draw use preference points?

No. Preference points aren't used or awarded in Colorado's secondary draw.

Do leftover licenses use preference points?

Standard leftover licenses don't use preference points. Hunters should separately review current rules for certain reissued licenses.

Do OTC licenses use preference points?

No.

Are Colorado preference points unit-specific?

No. Preference points are species-specific rather than being attached to a particular unit, weapon, season or sex.

How many preference points can I earn each year?

For deer, elk, pronghorn and bear, hunters can generally earn one applicable preference point per species per draw year under current rules.

Do Colorado group applications average points?

No. Under the current system, group priority is based on the member with the fewest preference points.

What happens to my Colorado points in 2028?

Under Colorado's approved 2028 draw structure, existing points continue to have value. Applicable quotas are scheduled to be split between a preference draw and a bonus draw rather than simply eliminating accumulated points.

Will Colorado become completely random in 2028?

No. Under the approved structure, applicable quotas are split between a preference portion and a bonus portion.

Should I burn all my points in 2027?

Not automatically. Use your points if a hunt fits your goals and your current position makes sense. Don't burn them solely because 2028 is approaching.

Should I keep building points after 2027?

That depends on your target hunt, current point balance, point creep and willingness to participate in the new 2028 system.

What is Colorado point creep?

Point creep occurs when the historical point requirement for a hunt rises over time, potentially making it difficult for a hunter earning one point per year to catch the hunt.

Are historical point requirements guaranteed?

No. Historical draw results are planning information. Quotas, applications, allocations and demand can change.

Final Colorado Preference Point Strategy for 2027

Don't treat preference points like a score.

Treat them like:

A Currency For Hunting Opportunity.

The goal isn't to finish with the largest point balance.

The goal is to use those points to create the hunting experience you want.

For 2027, evaluate:

Your Points + Historical Draw Requirements + Point Creep + Hunt Quality + Season + Weapon + Access + Quota Trends + Your Personal Goals

If you can draw a hunt you genuinely want:

Using your points may make sense.

If you're intentionally building toward a specific hunt and you're comfortable with Colorado's scheduled 2028 changes:

Continuing to build may make sense.

But don't keep collecting points simply because:

You've already collected them for years.

And don't panic-use them simply because:

2028 is coming.

Your best strategy is the one that turns your accumulated points into:

A Hunt You Actually Want To Go On.

Use TAGZ to compare Colorado draw opportunities and research hunts based on your actual point level.

Explore TAGZ Insights for additional Colorado application strategies.

Use the TAGZ Product to organize points, compare hunts and build your Western application plan.

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

For final 2027 rules, hunt codes, quotas, deadlines and application requirements, always verify the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife Big Game regulations before submitting your application.

Historical draw results and point requirements are planning tools, not guarantees of future drawing results.28 draw.