Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers refunds to fourth rifle season hunters in flood-impacted units
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will offer refunds to fourth rifle season hunters in parts of southwest Colorado hit by historic flooding. The agency announced the refunds November 9, 2026, in Durango.
The fourth rifle season runs November 18-22. Major highway closures have cut access to public lands. So have closed county and forest service roads.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is still strongly discouraging travel into Game Management Units 74, 75, 77, 78, 80, 81, 741, 751 and 771.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
The agency first set up refunds for third rifle season hunters before that season began November 7. It then worked with national forest partners and impacted counties to learn how long road repairs would take. Field staff have now checked conditions. They found it will take considerable time before the public can safely reach many areas.
Refunds are approved for these fourth season deer hunt codes: DM075O4R, DF075O4R, DM075P4R, DF075P4R, DM077O4R, DF077O4R, DM077P4R, DM074O4R, DM741O4R, DM741P4R, DF741P4R and DM080O4R.
Refunds are also approved for these fourth season elk hunt codes: EM074O4R, EF074O4R, EF741O4R, EM074P4R, EF074P4R, EM075O4R, EF075O4R, EM075P4R, EF075P4R, EM077O4R, EF077O4R, EM077P4R, EF077P4R, EF080O4R, EF081O4R and EM080O4R.
All refund fees will be waived for people holding these licenses. Any preference points used to draw the license will be restored to the pre-draw level. Impacted hunters with these hunt codes will receive an email.
Licenses must be returned before the season opens. They can be postmarked or dropped off at a Colorado Parks and Wildlife or State Park office before close of business. Hunters must fill out the refund form and return it with their license. On the form, they should mark both the refund box and the preference point restoration box. They should also write "SW FLOODING" in the reason for the refund field.
Licenses returned for these units will not be reissued.
Hunters with other hunt codes who were directly impacted by the floods may apply for an exception. They may submit their license with proof of the impact. Each request will be reviewed case by case.
More information on hunting license refunds, reversals and exchanges is on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. For license return questions, call 303-297-1192.
Several major road closures remain across southwest Colorado. For the latest highway closures, go to cotrip.org. Conditions continue to change rapidly. The latest road and trail conditions for the Rio Grande National Forest and San Juan National Forest can be found online.
