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Colorado Elk

Unit 500

Colorado Hunting Guide — Elk

Unit 500 in Colorado offers elk hunting managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Tags are allocated through the CPW preference-point draw. Hunters should consult CPW publications for current boundaries, season dates, and regulations before applying.

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Elk Hunting in Unit 500

Unit 500 in Colorado offers elk hunting managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Tags are allocated through the CPW preference-point draw. Hunters should consult CPW publications for current boundaries, season dates, and regulations before applying.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 500

Elk distribution in Colorado Unit 500 follows typical seasonal patterns for the species. Refer to the CPW Hunting Atlas and unit-specific regulations for mapped habitat, public-land boundaries, and any seasonal closures before planning a hunt.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 500

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Elk Success Rates

Archery12%
Rifle19%
Muzzleloader15%
Harvest results for Unit 500 elk are published annually by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Consult the CPW Big Game Statistics page for the most recent official success-rate data by hunt code and season.

Elk Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Archery— 1st Season7435920.6% 2
Rifle— 1st Season8988.2% —
Rifle— 2nd Season15047931.3% —
Rifle— 5th Season145425.9% 1
Rifle— 1st Season3728413.0% 4
Rifle— 2nd Season3530711.4% 1
Rifle— 3rd Season13740733.7% —
Rifle— 4th Season1511413.2% —
Rifle— 3rd Season1814512.4% —
Rifle— 4th Season6698.7% 1
Muzzleloader— 1st Season6819534.9% —
Muzzleloader— 1st Season3018516.2% 3

Data from 2026 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 500 elk tags are issued through the CPW preference-point draw. Point requirements vary by weapon type and residency. Check the current CPW draw statistics and the ProHunt Draw Odds tool for the latest published odds.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for a Unit 500 elk tag in Colorado?
Unit 500 elk tags are issued through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife preference-point draw. Apply through the CPW online licensing portal during the annual big-game draw application window.
Where can I find official harvest data for Unit 500?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes per-unit harvest and success statistics on the CPW Big Game Statistics page. That is the authoritative source for Unit 500 elk results.

Free Hunt Planning Tools

🎰 Colorado Draw Odds Unit-level tag success rates 📅 Application Timeline Deadlines for all 9 states 🦌 Rut Forecast Peak rut timing by species 💰 Hunt Cost Calculator Budget your entire hunt

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

  1. CPW Big Game Hunting — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Big game species managed by CPW, Official Colorado hunting information portal · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. CPW Big Game Statistics — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Official harvest and success rate statistics, Per-GMU hunt result reporting · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. CPW Big Game Draw — Colorado Parks and Wildlife · supports: Preference-point draw application process, Annual big game draw timelines · accessed 2026-04-17