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Military Benefits
Military Benefits
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the State of Colorado are pleased to offer several programs to active duty members of the m​ilitary and to those who served our country and are disabled. Colorado has the best natural places, best hunting, best fishing and best wildlife viewing opportunities in the United States and we're pleased to honor those who serve and have served to protect those places and our freedoms. Thank you for your service.

Active Duty Benefits​

  • ​Advance purchase of leftover hunting licenses. Active duty military members who are deployed outside of the United States and are stationed in Colorado or a Colorado resident can purchase leftover licenses after the primary and secondary draws and prior to the annual leftover purchase date (normally available end of July​). A military lefto​ver application​ must be completed and restrictions do apply. 

  • Preference points while deployed outside the U.S. Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are stationed in Colorado and actively deployed outside the U.S. can apply to receive a preference point for a future hunt​. The "military preference point​ application" is normally available in July annually and must be postmarked by the 1st Tuesday in January. ​​​

  • License refund or preference point ret​urn if deployed after applying for a hunting license. For more information, contact Limited Licensing at 303-291-7381.​

  • ​Free admission to all state parks for the month of August. Active duty and veterans are admitted free to Colorado state parks for the month of August. The military member or veteran must show proof of military service (see the flyer ​for requirements and more details) and obtain the free pass from any Colorado state parks or CPW office. Military member or veteran must be in the vehicle using the pass. All other park fees (camping, etc) are still charged.​

  • Free admission on Veteran's Day (Nov. 11) to all state parks. Active duty and veterans are admitted free to Colorado state parks on Veteran's Day. The military member or veteran must show proof of military service (photo ID, DD-214). All other park fees (camping, etc.) are still charged. 

  • Resident fishing while home on temporary leave. Colorado residents who are on active duty and permanently stationed outside of the state may fish without a license while in Colorado on temporary leave. The military member must carry a copy of their leave papers with them while fishing and cannot use this exemption for more than 30 days per year. ​

  • Residency while stationed in Colorado. Active duty military personnel stationed in Colorado and their family members can qualify to purchase hunting and fishing licenses at the Colorado resident rates. Personnel and their dependents qualify for residency if they are on active duty in Colorado under permanent orders. Military personnel must show proof by showing active duty military orders when purchasing resident licens​es. Active duty does not include reserve status or National Guard.

Veteran Benefits​

  • Free admission to all state parks for the month of August. Active duty and veterans are admitted free to Colorado state parks for the month of August. The military member or veteran must show proof of military service (see the flyer for requirements and more details)​ an​​d obtain the free pass from any Colorado state parks or CPW office. Military member or veteran must be in the vehicle using the pass. All other park fees (camping, etc) are still charged.​​​​ ​​

  • Free admission on Veteran's Day (Nov. 11) to all state parks. Active duty and veterans are admitted free to Colorado state parks on Veteran's Day. The military member or veteran must show proof of military service (photo ID, DD-214). All other park fees (camping, etc.) are still charged. 

Disabled Veteran Benefits

  • Free admission to all state parks for the month of August. Active duty and veterans are admitted free to Colorado state parks for the month of August. The military member or veteran must show proof of military service (see the flyer for requirements and more details)​ an​​d obtain the free pass from any Colorado state parks or CPW office. Military member or veteran must be in the vehicle using the pass. All other park fees (camping, etc) are still charged.​​​​ ​​

  • Free admission on Veteran's Day (Nov. 11) to all state parks. Active duty and veterans are admitted free to Colorado state parks on Veteran's Day. The military member or veteran must show proof of military service (photo ID, DD-214). All other park fees (camping, etc.) are still charged. 

  • ​Free admission to all state parks with Colorado Disabled Veterans license plates. Colorado residents with current Colorado Disabled Veterans license plates may access Colorado State Parks free witho​ut a pass on the windshield. These plates are obtained through the Division of Motor Vehicles. The law for individuals with Disabled Veterans license plates provides free entrance to state parks and does not provide special camping rates. The veteran must be present in the vehicle.​

  • ​Lifetime fishing and combo license. Military veterans who are disabled and residents of Colorado are eligible to apply for a lifetime fishing and small game combo license​. The veteran must have proof of service-connected disability of 60% or more, as rated by the Department of Veteran's Affairs. Purple Heart recipients are also​ eligible ​​to apply for the combo license. ​​​

  • Columbine Annual Pass. Colorado resident disabled veterans may apply for a Columbine Annual Pass (see the Accessibility page​ for more information about the Columbine Pass). Columbine pass holders over age 64 qualify for discounted camping in state parks Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays. 

  • Upcoming parks pass for resident disabled veterans. Senate Bill 20-069 was passed in March 2020, authorizing CPW to issue passes to residents with Colorado Disabled Veterans license plates. We are currently working on regulations; please continue to check this page for updates. We expect the pass to be available in August 2020.

Wounded Warrior / Safe Harbor Program

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission annually sets aside a number of hunting licenses for members of the Wounded Warrior or Safe Harbor programs. While there are limits on the number of licenses that can be issued (100 each female deer, elk and pronghorn and 100 total male deer, elk and pronghorn), the goal is to issue as many of these licenses as possible.

Program requirements: 

  • Must be a member of the US Armed Forces and a Colorado resident or stationed in Colorado.
  • Must be returning from a post-Sept. 11, 2001 overseas contingency operation.
  • Must be assigned to a military medical treatment facility at the time of application.
  • Must be a member of the United States Armed Services Wounded Warrior or Safe Harbor Program.

Complete the Application for Wounded Warrior Program​. For more information, contact the Limited Licensing Unit at 303-291-7380. ​​